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Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manage and mentor a team of test engineers responsible for vehicle systems validation and test ... Autonomous Trucking Firm Gatik Inks Contracts Worth $600 Million * Forbes: Hundreds' Of Gatik Robot ...

Manage and mentor a team of test engineers responsible for vehicle systems validation and test ... Autonomous Trucking Firm Gatik Inks Contracts Worth $600 Million * Forbes: Hundreds' Of Gatik Robot ...

Autonomous vehicle Test Operator

Dallas, TX ยท On-site

$18 - $22.25/hr

Test other aspects of our autonomous vehicles ... Complete timely and detailed ride reports for our operations and engineering teams * Must be able ...

Autonomous vehicle Test Operator

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

$18 - $22.25/hr

Test other aspects of our autonomous vehicles ... Complete timely and detailed ride reports for our operations and engineering teams * Must be able ...

Autonomous vehicle Test Operator

Miami, FL

$17.50 - $21.50/hr

Test other aspects of our autonomous vehicles ... Complete timely and detailed ride reports for our operations and engineering teams * Must be able ...

Autonomous vehicle Test Operator

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$18 - $22.25/hr

Test other aspects of our autonomous vehicles ... Complete timely and detailed ride reports for our operations and engineering teams * Must be able ...

Autonomous vehicle Test Operator

Dallas, TX ยท On-site

$18.25 - $22.25/hr

Test other aspects of our autonomous vehicles ... Complete timely and detailed ride reports for our operations and engineering teams * Must be able ...

Autonomous vehicle Test Operator

Miami, FL

$17.50 - $21.50/hr

Test other aspects of our autonomous vehicles ... Complete timely and detailed ride reports for our operations and engineering teams * Must be able ...

Autonomous vehicle Test Operator

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

$18 - $22.25/hr

Test other aspects of our autonomous vehicles ... Complete timely and detailed ride reports for our operations and engineering teams * Must be able ...

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Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer information

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How much do autonomous vehicle test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for autonomous vehicle test engineer in the United States is $44.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.41 and $52.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, robotics, and computer science, often backed by a degree in electrical, mechanical, or software engineering. Familiarity with simulation tools, data logging systems, and industry-standard programming languages like Python or C++ is essential, along with certifications in safety protocols such as ISO 26262. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top candidates apart. These competencies ensure the safe, accurate, and efficient testing of autonomous systems in real-world and simulated environments.

What is the difference between Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer vs Autonomous Vehicle Software Developer?

AspectAutonomous Vehicle Test EngineerAutonomous Vehicle Software Developer
Primary RoleDesigning and executing tests to validate autonomous vehicle systemsDeveloping and coding software for autonomous vehicle functions
Skills & CertificationsKnowledge of testing protocols, sensor systems, and safety standardsProficiency in programming languages, algorithms, and software engineering
Work EnvironmentTesting labs, vehicle testing sites, simulation environmentsSoftware development teams, coding environments, simulation platforms
Industry UsageUsed by automotive manufacturers and testing labs for validationUsed by software companies and automotive OEMs for system development

While both roles are integral to autonomous vehicle development, the Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer focuses on validating and testing vehicle systems, ensuring safety and performance. In contrast, the Autonomous Vehicle Software Developer concentrates on creating the software that powers autonomous functions. Both roles require technical expertise but differ in daily tasks and focus areas.

What are some typical challenges Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineers face when working with new software updates?

Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineers often face challenges when integrating and validating new software updates, as these updates can introduce unforeseen bugs or compatibility issues with existing vehicle hardware. Ensuring the safety and reliability of the system requires thorough testing in both simulated environments and real-world scenarios. Engineers must also collaborate closely with software developers and safety teams to quickly identify, document, and resolve any issues. Managing tight deadlines while maintaining rigorous testing standards is a common aspect of the role.

What does an Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer do?

An Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer is responsible for designing, executing, and analyzing tests on self-driving vehicles and their systems. They work with various sensors, software, and hardware to ensure that autonomous vehicles operate safely and efficiently under different conditions. Their duties include developing test plans, running simulations, collecting and interpreting data, and reporting results to improve vehicle performance. They also collaborate with software developers, safety engineers, and other specialists to troubleshoot issues and validate new features. This role is critical to advancing the reliability and safety of autonomous driving technologies.
More about Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer job openings:
What job categories do people searching Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,027 per year, or $44.2 per hour.
Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer

Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer

Sustainable Talent

San Francisco, CA โ€ข Remote

$70 - $97/hr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer

Location: Remote, United States
Employment Type: Contract / Temporary
Work Location: US, CA, Remote

Sustainable Talent is partnering with NVIDIA, a global leader that has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for over 25 years. We are looking for an Autonomous Vehicle Operator โ€“ Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer to support our client's autonomous vehicle testing team. This role is remote and will focus on test creation, quality analysis, and issue investigation for autonomous vehicle software systems. This is a W-2 full-time REMOTE contract role. We offer competitive pay $70/hr-$97/hr based on factors like experience, education, location, etc. and provide full benefits, PTO, and amazing company culture!

We are seeking a highly technical and detail-oriented professional who is passionate about autonomous vehicle technology and excited to work at the intersection of software, hardware, and vehicle testing. In this role, you will analyze issues reported from vehicle testing, create and manage test suites, support testing infrastructure, and help improve the quality and accuracy of autonomous vehicle software.

What You'll Be Doing

As a member of the Autonomous Vehicle Test team, you will support end-to-end problem analysis for issues identified during daily vehicle testing. You will work closely with software and hardware engineering teams across multiple disciplines to help deliver a high-quality autonomous driving product.

Responsibilities include:

  • Analyze issues reported from routine autonomous vehicle testing.
  • Execute problem analysis processes, including issue triage, root cause analysis, issue categorization, reporting, and summary documentation.
  • Create test suites, manage test configurations, and support infrastructure for running tests.
  • Analyze test accuracy and investigate root causes of errors that lead to inaccurate test results.
  • Communicate with development teams to understand functional design and stay current on evolving technologies.
  • Develop documentation and tools to support issue analysis.
  • Collect test data from routine in-car testing and provide feedback on software performance after testing and analysis.
  • Collaborate with automotive software testing, software engineering, and hardware engineering teams to improve product quality.
What We Need to See
  • Technical education or background in Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience and proficiency with Python.
  • Experience in test engineering within a robotics or automotive environment.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to perform issue triage, root cause analysis, and technical documentation.
  • Self-motivated mindset with a willingness to learn new technologies and adapt in a fast-moving environment.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Passion for autonomous vehicle technology and software quality.
Ways to Stand Out from the Crowd
  • Experience in software testing or software development for autonomous vehicles or autonomous driving systems.
  • Experience creating test suites or managing test infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with vehicle data analysis, robotics testing, or automotive software validation.
  • Ability to work across both software and hardware teams in a technical testing environment.
About Sustainable Talent

Sustainable Talent is a certified woman-owned company specializing in recruitment, consulting, and workforce solutions. We partner with innovative organizations to connect exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities across technology, engineering, operations, and professional services.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Sustainable Talent is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.