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Autonomous Vehicle Operator Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

Luxoft

Test Driver

Troy, MI · On-site

$15 - $18.75/hr

🚗 Vehicle Test Driver | Prototype & Autonomous Vehicle Testing We look for experienced prototype ... Responsibilities: The Vehicle Test Driver is responsible for safely operating development ...

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All JobsAutonomous Vehicle Operator JobsAutonomous Vehicle Operator Jobs in Detroit, MI

Autonomous Vehicle Operator information

See Detroit, MI salary details

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How much do autonomous vehicle operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for autonomous vehicle operator in Detroit, MI is $23.67, 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 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 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 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.

How much does an autonomous vehicle operator make?

Autonomous vehicle operators typically earn between $15 and $25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the company. Some roles may offer additional benefits or shift differentials, especially for night or weekend shifts.

What are the most commonly searched types of Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Detroit, MI?

The most popular types of Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Detroit, MI are:

What are popular job titles related to Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Detroit, MI?

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

What job categories do people searching Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Detroit, MI look for?

The top searched job categories for Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs in Detroit, MI are:

What cities near Detroit, MI are hiring for Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs?

Cities near Detroit, MI with the most Autonomous Vehicle Operator job openings:

Autonomous Vehicle Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Autonomous Vehicle Operator job openings in Detroit, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 9% Temporary, and 9% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,225 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

Director, Platform Operations

May Mobility

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

May Mobility is transforming cities through autonomous technology to create a safer, greener, more accessible world. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, May develops and deploys autonomous vehicles (AVs) powered by our innovative Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology that literally reimagines the way AVs think.
Our vehicles do more than just drive themselves - they provide value to communities, bridge public transit gaps and move people where they need to go safely, easily and with a lot more fun. We're building the world's best autonomy system to reimagine transit by minimizing congestion, expanding access and encouraging better land use in order to foster more green, vibrant and livable spaces. Since our founding in 2017, we've given more than 500,000 autonomous rides to real people around the globe. And we're just getting started. We're hiring people who share our passion for building the future, today, solving real-world problems and seeing the impact of their work. Join us.
Job Summary
The Director, Platform Operations, holds a pivotal leadership role in overseeing all aspects of vehicle manufacturing, supply chain, and technical support of the autonomous driving kit and its vehicle platform applications. Responsibilities include developing and implementing production strategies, optimizing processes, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality products at a sustainable cost. This role leads a multidisciplinary team, providing direction, guidance, and support to drive operational excellence and achieve production targets. Additionally, the Director, Platform Operations collaborates with cross-functional teams and leaders to align production goals with overall business objectives, monitor performance metrics, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. The Director, Platform Operations strategic vision, operational expertise, and leadership will be instrumental in driving efficiency, quality, and innovation across the entire organization.
Essential Responsibilities
  • Own and drive production through end of life of vehicle platforms
  • Provide strategic leadership across multiple teams including Supply Chain, Manufacturing engineering, Production, and Fleet Engineering to ensure platform integrity, performance, and alignment with overall strategic goals.
  • Lead engagements with 3rd party fleet owner/operators on supporting fleet operations
  • Responsibility for Safety, Quality, On Time Delivery, and Cost of both new vehicle production and existing fleet upfits
  • Product strategic guidance to Supply Chain operations to optimize cost, manufacturability, production planning, and delivery timelines in addition to indirect procurement processes.
  • Establish and report on critical KPIs related to platform development, validation, production readiness, and related field performance.
  • Provide regular updates and strategic recommendations to the Vice President, Vehicle Platform Engineering and Senior Leadership Team.
  • Mentor and lead a multidisciplinary organization, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning and leadership development.
  • Identify and mitigate technical and operational risks across the Vehicle Platform Engineering group; guide the organization through complex engineering and strategic trade-offs and escalations, maintaining excellent communication with both SLT and relevant engineering teams.
  • Ensures close coordination between these teams, product management, program management, autonomy and production to ensure the on time development of engineering requirements, design and execution.
  • Play a critical part in the company's Sales and Operations (S+OP) production and deployment planning process
  • Oversees departmental KPIs, budgets, and people management activities
  • Develop, maintain and monitor department objectives and key results (OKRs)
  • Ensures that the highest of safety and quality standards are met
  • Supports appropriate vehicle launch and sustaining engineering activities as needed once vehicles are released to the field
  • Stays current on relevant technology innovations and leverages them to define a compelling technical vision and strategy for core areas of responsibility.
  • Optimize and develop effective processes to ensure the quality and safety of the product.

Skills and Abilities
Success in this role typically requires the following competencies:
  • In-depth understanding of the autonomous vehicle, electric vehicle, and automotive landscape
  • Ability to inspire and motivate teams, provide clear direction, and lead by example
  • Ability to successfully manage and mentor others in leadership (management) roles
  • Capacity to envision and articulate long-term, strategic goals, formulate effective strategies, and make decisions that align with organizational objectives
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex ideas clearly, influence stakeholders, and foster collaboration
  • Skill in understanding and managing emotions, building relationships, and navigating interpersonal dynamics effectively
  • Flexibility to thrive in dynamic environments, embrace change, and adjust strategies as needed to achieve goals
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to assess situations, evaluate options, and make informed decisions under pressure
  • Aptitude for working effectively with cross-functional teams, building consensus, and leveraging diverse perspectives to achieve common goals

Qualifications and Experience
Candidates most successful in this role typically hold the following qualifications or comparable knowledge or experience:
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
  • 10+ years relevant work experience and proven success
  • Demonstrated people management experience, including hiring, onboarding, retention, coaching, and team building
  • Experience setting technical vision and strategy for vehicle systems engineering and autonomous driving subsystems
  • Experience working with safety-critical products, preferably automotive or aerospace

Desirable Qualifications:
  • MS degree, preferably in Engineering, Operations, or Business
  • Experience with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
  • Operations management experience

Physical Requirements
  • Standard office working conditions which includes but not limited to:
    • Prolonged sitting
    • Prolonged standing
    • Prolonged computer use
  • Travel Required? Frequent: 26%-50%

Benefits and Perks
  • Comprehensive healthcare suite including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. Domestic partners who have been residing together at least one year are also eligible to participate.
  • Health Savings and Flexible Spending Healthcare and Dependent Care Accounts available.
  • Rich retirement benefits, including an immediately vested employer safe harbor match.
  • Generous paid parental leave as well as a phased return to work.
  • Flexible vacation policy in addition to paid company holidays.
  • Total Wellness Program providing numerous resources for overall wellbeing

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and/or people of color are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every qualification. At May Mobility, we're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workforce, so if you're excited about this role but your previous experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway! You may be the perfect candidate for this or another role at May.
Want to learn more about our culture & benefits? Check out our website!
May Mobility is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected basis. Below, you have the opportunity to share your preferred gender pronouns, gender, ethnicity, and veteran status with May Mobility to help us identify areas of improvement in our hiring and recruitment processes. Completion of these questions is entirely voluntary. Any information you choose to provide will be kept confidential, and will not impact the hiring decision in any way. If you believe that you will need any type of accommodation, please let us know.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: May Mobility does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Furthermore, May Mobility does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.
Salary Range
$165,000-$205,000 USD
May Mobility uses automated tools to support - but not replace - human judgment in our recruiting process, to find out more please click here

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