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Director Autonomous Driving Engineer Jobs in Sheffield, AL

EHS Engineer

Cherokee, AL · On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize ... This role is best suited for someone who is self driving, hands-on, and comfortable operating at ...

EHS Engineer

Cherokee, AL · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize ... This role is best suited for someone who is self driving, hands-on, and comfortable operating at ...

Director Autonomous Driving Engineer information

See Sheffield, AL salary details

$65.3K

$174.3K

$227.3K

How much do director autonomous driving engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for director autonomous driving engineer in Sheffield, AL is $174,264.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,600.00 and $226,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director autonomous driving engineer do?

A Director Autonomous Driving Engineer leads and manages teams responsible for developing self-driving vehicle technologies. This role oversees the technical strategy, project execution, and integration of hardware and software for autonomous systems. Directors in this position collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and drive innovation to advance autonomous vehicle capabilities. They also mentor engineers, set technical standards, and work with stakeholders to align product goals with business objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director autonomous driving engineer?

To thrive as a Director Autonomous Driving Engineer, you need deep expertise in robotics, computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine learning, typically supported by an advanced degree in engineering or computer science and significant industry experience. Familiarity with tools such as ROS, simulation platforms, automotive-grade software systems, and relevant safety certifications (like ISO 26262) is crucial. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for guiding multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These abilities are vital for driving innovation, ensuring technical excellence, and delivering safe, reliable autonomous driving solutions.

How does a director autonomous driving engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams within an organization?

As a Director of Autonomous Driving Engineering, you'll regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams such as hardware engineers, data scientists, product managers, safety and compliance experts, and user experience designers. Your role involves aligning the technical roadmap with business goals, ensuring seamless integration of software and hardware, and facilitating effective communication between departments. This collaborative approach is crucial for addressing complex challenges, maintaining project momentum, and ensuring the autonomous driving system meets safety, regulatory, and performance standards.

What is the difference between Director Autonomous Driving Engineer vs Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer?

AspectDirector Autonomous Driving EngineerSenior Autonomous Driving Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees autonomous driving projects, manages teams, sets strategic goalsDesigns and develops autonomous driving systems, implements algorithms
Required CredentialsAdvanced degree (Master's/PhD), extensive experience, leadership skillsRelevant engineering degree, several years of experience in autonomous systems
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D teams, cross-department collaborationHands-on engineering in labs or development teams
Industry UsageCommon in tech and automotive companies for strategic rolesCommon in engineering teams focused on system development

The main difference is that the Director Autonomous Driving Engineer focuses on leadership, strategy, and project oversight, while the Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer is primarily involved in technical development and implementation. Both roles require relevant technical credentials, but the director position emphasizes management and strategic planning within autonomous driving projects.

Infographic showing various Director Autonomous Driving Engineer job openings in Sheffield, AL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $174,264 per year, or $83.8 per hour.

EHS Engineer

Cherokee, AL • On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost.


Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built.


Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen.


If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

The Role

We are seeking an EHS Engineer to support safety operations as Hadrian builds out and increases capabilities in our new 2.25 million square foot manufacturing facility. This role is central to building safe, scalable processes around novel and emerging manufacturing technologies, from advanced welding and additive manufacturing to casting, forging, and general fabrication.

At Hadrian, we are building a culture where zero incidents is the standard, and every team member plays a role in preventing harm through ownership, participation, and continuous improvement. As the F4 EHS Engineer, you will serve as the primary EHS partner to construction, operations, and factory development teams, working proactively to identify hazards in new and evolving processes before they reach the production floor. You will develop controls, write procedures, and engage directly with engineers and technicians to ensure that safety is designed in from the start.

This role is best suited for someone who is self driving, hands-on, and comfortable operating at the intersection of engineering, operations, and safety. You should be energized by novel process challenges, able to assess risk in ambiguous environments, and skilled at translating complex hazard profiles into clear, practical controls that teams will actually use.

 

What You’ll Do

You will serve as the primary EHS resource for Hadrian Factory 4 and our factory development teams, providing proactive EHS support from early-stage buildout through process scale-up. Key functions will include:

  • Develop and implement engineering controls, administrative procedures, and PPE programs tailored to the specific hazard profiles of each process brought into the Factory 4 facility.

  • Partner with engineers and technicians to integrate safety by design into new process development workflows and equipment commissioning

  • Lead or support incident reporting, investigation, and corrective action for safety incidents

  • Author and maintain safety procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and risk assessments for F4 operations

  • Conduct and document hazard assessments (Haz-ops, JHAs, RAs) for new equipment and processes prior to operation

  • Support and deliver safety training to staff on process-specific hazards and controls

  • Provide field-driven feedback to improve EHS program usability and effectiveness across the company

  • Ensure compliance with OSHA and applicable local requirements, including standards relevant to welding, additive manufacturing, metal casting and forging, and industrial fabrication

  • Serve as a technical resource for regulatory inspections and agency interactions related to F4 processes

 

What We’re Looking For

  • 5-10 years of EHS experience in manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial environments

  • Working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, California, and local regulatory requirements

  • Technical knowledge of hazards associated with welding (MIG, TIG, laser), metal additive manufacturing, casting, forging, and fabrication processes

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization

  • Ability to assess risk in ambiguous, fast-moving environments where standard procedures may not yet exist

  • Demonstrated experience implementing EHS programs and engaging cross-functional teams

 

What Will Set You Apart

  • Professional certifications such as CSP, CIH, or equivalent

  • Bachelor’s degree in EHS, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

  • Experience in high-tech manufacturing environments (automation, robotics, machining)

  • Direct experience with laser safety programs and laser classification/controls

  • Familiarity with metal powder handling safety, inert atmosphere systems, and additive manufacturing post-processing hazards

  • Experience building or improving EHS systems in a startup or scaling environment

Compensation

For this role, the target salary range is $120,000 - $160,000 (actual range may vary based on experience).

This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

 
Benefits for Full-time Employees
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees

  • 401k

  • Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.

  • Flexible vacation policy

  • Equity

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Use of AI in hiring

Hadrian uses AI-assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI-powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy.

Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Compensation Range: $120K - $160K