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Autonomous Vehicle Operator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Software Engineer - Scaled Simulation

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

$160.80 - $193/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, or simulation systems. * Experience with C++ in production environments. * Experience with Bazel build systems. * Familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating ...

Android Development Lead

Arlington, VA · On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... operators in the field. This includes designing and documenting extensible APIs in Java/Kotlin ... You'll join a tight-knit cross-functional team that spans UI/UX, autonomy, networking, and vehicle ...

Senior Controller

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel ... Own schedules and commentary on operating account results and variances, and lead production of ...

Senior Controller

Blacksburg, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel ... Own schedules and commentary on operating account results and variances, and lead production of ...

Senior Controller

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

$201 - $242/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About The Company At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will ... Own schedules and commentary on operating account results and variances, and lead production of ...

Contracts Administrator

Blacksburg, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About the Company At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will ... Understand and apply Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for administering contracts after ...

Contracts Administrator

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About the Company At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will ... Understand and apply Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for administering contracts after ...

Uncrewed Vessel Operator

Leesburg, VA

$45K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... autonomous operations. 8-12hr night or day watches based in a regional Remote Operating Center, or from a host vessel at sea Ensure the safety of navigation and situational awareness of the vehicle ...

Uncrewed Vessel Operator

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$45K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Vehicles (UUV), and Underwater Gliders. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for ... semi-autonomous operations. • 8-12hr night or day watches based in a regional Remote Operating ...

Uncrewed Vessel Operator

Leesburg, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... autonomous operations. 8-12hr night or day watches based in a regional Remote Operating Center, or from a host vessel at sea Ensure the safety of navigation and situational awareness of the vehicle ...

Autonomy Engineer (Contingent)

Chantilly, VA · Hybrid

$135K - $215K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Contribute autonomy-focused content to documentation, operator guides, training materials, and ... Experience with autonomy for robotics, UAVs, or space vehicles. * Working knowledge of aerospace ...

Showing results 21-40

Autonomous Vehicle Operator information

See Virginia salary details

$13

$23

$30

How much do autonomous vehicle operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for autonomous vehicle operator in Virginia is $23.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.72 and $25.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an autonomous vehicle operator?

To thrive as an Autonomous Vehicle Operator, you need a valid driver's license, a clean driving record, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of road safety regulations. Familiarity with data logging systems, onboard diagnostics, and autonomous vehicle software platforms is typically required, and some employers may prefer candidates with technical certifications or experience in vehicle technology. Strong situational awareness, communication skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are important soft skills that set top operators apart. These skills ensure the safe operation and accurate monitoring of autonomous vehicles during testing or deployment, which is critical to both public safety and the advancement of autonomous driving technology.

What is an autonomous vehicle operator?

Autonomous vehicle operators are professionals responsible for overseeing the safe operation and testing of self-driving vehicles. They typically monitor the vehicle’s systems, take control when necessary, and report data or issues to engineering teams. Their role is essential in ensuring that autonomous vehicles perform safely during testing and development phases, often on public roads or closed tracks. Operators also help troubleshoot technical problems and contribute feedback to improve vehicle performance.

What are common challenges faced by autonomous vehicle operators during their daily tasks?

Autonomous Vehicle Operators often encounter challenges such as monitoring complex vehicle systems while maintaining consistent focus during long periods of testing. They must quickly respond to unexpected situations on the road, like erratic drivers or changing weather conditions, to ensure safety and accurate data collection. Effective communication with engineering and safety teams is essential, as operators regularly provide feedback and report anomalies to improve vehicle performance. Adaptability and strong attention to detail help operators excel in this dynamic, fast-evolving field.

What is the difference between Autonomous Vehicle Operator vs Delivery Driver?

AspectAutonomous Vehicle OperatorDelivery Driver
Required CredentialsDriver's license, safety training, sometimes certification in vehicle operationDriver's license, route knowledge, delivery-specific training
Work EnvironmentMonitoring autonomous vehicles, remote or on-site, in urban or suburban areasDriving vehicles to deliver goods, often on fixed routes or schedules
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, autonomous vehicle services, logistics firmsRetail, food services, courier companies

While both roles involve vehicle operation, Autonomous Vehicle Operators focus on overseeing and monitoring autonomous systems, often remotely or in controlled environments, whereas Delivery Drivers are responsible for physically delivering goods using traditional driving skills. The roles differ mainly in technology use and work setting, but both require valid licenses and safety awareness.

What are the most commonly searched types of Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Virginia?

For Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Autonomous Vehicle Operator job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,298 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer - Scaled Simulation

Doist

Blacksburg, VA • On-site

$160.80 - $193/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

About the Company

At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel, move freight, and do business. A leader in autonomous driving since 2007, Torc has spent over a decade commercializing our solutions with experienced partners. Now a part of the Daimler family, we are focused solely on developing software for automated trucks to transform how the world moves freight. Join us and catapult your career with the company that helped pioneer autonomous technology, and the first AV software company with the vision to partner directly with a truck manufacturer. Meet The Team: The Simulation Environments team develops and integrates simulation tools that serve an expansive set of autonomy capabilities. We deliver robust, resilient, and scalable cloud‑based simulation solutions using modern managed cloud services to support a wide range of internal customers across autonomous and perception engineering domains.

What You’ll Do
  • As part of the Simulation team, you will design, implement, maintain, and monitor cloud‑based simulation services that support virtual driver‑stack testing and large‑scale simulation workloads.
  • You will contribute across the full software development lifecycle, from design and algorithm development to testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance.
  • Execute full software development lifecycle activities using Python and C++ in a Linux environment, following Lean‑Agile methodologies.
  • Design, implement, and maintain scalable cloud systems using AWS managed services with a focus on scalability, reliability, observability, and operational excellence.
  • Develop and provision cloud infrastructure using infrastructure‑as‑code frameworks such as Terraform.
  • Perform software design, architecture documentation, algorithm development, and implementation, producing clear, maintainable, and well‑tested code.
  • Ensure high‑quality software delivery by following established quality, build, deployment, and testing processes, including safety and engineering guidelines.
  • Support vehicle testing, simulation workflows, and deployed‑software maintenance across Autonomous and Perception engineering use cases.
  • Investigate and perform root cause analysis for issues found during simulation runs, testing workflows, and automation pipelines.
  • Contribute to process automation, including CI/CD, simulation execution workflows, data handling pipelines, and containerization improvements.
  • Maintain a strong commitment to automated testing, using simulation scenarios and test frameworks to ensure updates do not regress performance.
  • Participate in team standups, providing updates on daily assignments and supporting effective iteration planning.
  • Take ownership and drive end‑to‑end efforts independently, demonstrating initiative and accountability.
  • Participate in an on‑call rotation (typically one week per team member) to support production systems and ensure operational readiness.
  • Collaborate effectively in a cross‑functional, clearly communicating progress, expectations, risks, and support needs.
  • Demonstrate a self‑starter mindset and a proactive, go‑getter attitude, driving work forward with minimal direction.
What You’ll Need to Succeed
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering or related technical field with 7+ years of experience OR Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering or related technical field with 5+ years of experience
  • Experience designing managed cloud services, preferably AWS.
  • Strong proficiency in Python, with solid software engineering fundamentals.
  • Proficiency in Linux, Bash, or other scripting languages.
  • Experience with Terraform or other IaC frameworks.
  • Strong Background in modern software workflows: CI/CD, testing, infrastructure as code, containerization, and version control.
  • Excellent analytical, debugging, and problem solving skills.
Bonus Points
  • Experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, or simulation systems.
  • Experience with C++ in production environments.
  • Experience with Bazel build systems.
  • Familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System).
  • Knowledge of robotics algorithms and applications.
Perks of Being a Full‑time Torc’r

Torc cares about our team members and we strive to provide benefits and resources to support their health, work/life balance, and future. Our culture is collaborative, energetic, and team focused.

Torc offers:

  • A competitive compensation package that includes a bonus component and stock options
  • 100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full‑time employees
  • 401K plan with a 6% employer match
  • Flexibility in schedule and generous paid vacation (available immediately after start date)
  • AD+D and Life Insurance

At Torc, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate the uniqueness of our Torc’rs and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, or disabilities.

Even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications listed for this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several geographic markets. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Torc's total compensation package will also include our corporate bonus and stock option plan. Dependent on the position offered, sign‑on payments, relocation, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

Job ID : R-102503 Hiring Range for Job Opening US Pay Range $160,800 — $193,000 USD

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