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Temporary Autonomous Vehicle Testing Jobs in Wakefield, RI

Vatn Systems

Perception Engineer

Bristol, RI · On-site

Participate in on-site vehicle testing and debugging of real-world perception failures ... autonomous systems. * Strong Python skills for prototyping, scripting, and ML workflows. * Solid ...

Vatn Systems

Perception Engineer

Bristol, RI · On-site

Participate in on-site vehicle testing and debugging of real-world perception failures ... autonomous systems. * Strong Python skills for prototyping, scripting, and ML workflows. * Solid ...

Careers | CET

Director Software and Autonomy

Bristol, RI · On-site

$264K/yr

Summary This position will lead CET in the design, develop, testing and implementation of software systems and autonomy. The director will lead the team in developing mission capable vehicle-level ...

Drive Capital

Test Engineer

North Kingstown, RI · On-site

Experience testing Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or other autonomous robotic platforms. * Familiarity with autonomy ...

New

Havoc

Test Engineer

North Kingstown, RI · On-site

Experience testing Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or other autonomous robotic platforms. * Familiarity with autonomy ...

New

HavocAI

Test Engineer

North Kingstown, RI · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

Experience testing Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or other autonomous robotic platforms. * Familiarity with autonomy ...

REGENT

Senior Mission Software Engineer

North Kingstown, RI · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

... autonomous vehicles). * Strong C++ for complex systems : memory management, multi‑threading ... You have a strong bias toward shipping, testing, and learning in the real world, and you're willing ...

REGENT

Senior Mission Software Engineer

North Kingstown, RI · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

Partner with autonomy: define and build the vehicle-side interface the autonomy stack plugs into ... You have a strong bias toward shipping, testing, and learning in the real world, and you're willing ...

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Temporary Autonomous Vehicle Testing information

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How much do temporary autonomous vehicle testing jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary autonomous vehicle testing in Wakefield, RI is $25.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.29 and $28.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary autonomous vehicle testing?

Temporary autonomous vehicle testing jobs involve short-term positions where individuals assist in the testing and evaluation of self-driving vehicles. These roles often include monitoring vehicle performance, recording data, and sometimes intervening to ensure safety during test drives. Workers may be responsible for reporting software or hardware issues and working alongside engineers to improve vehicle systems. These positions are ideal for those interested in cutting-edge automotive technology and may require a valid driver's license, attention to detail, and the ability to follow safety protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed for temporary autonomous vehicle testing?

To thrive as a Temporary Autonomous Vehicle Testing Operator, you need a clean driving record, strong attention to detail, and familiarity with vehicle operations, often supported by a valid driver's license and sometimes a technical background. Competence in using data collection systems, onboard diagnostics tools, and software for logging test results is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to remain focused and calm under pressure are vital soft skills. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe vehicle operation, accurate data reporting, and effective teamwork in a safety-critical and rapidly evolving environment.

What are common challenges faced during temporary autonomous vehicle testing, and how can they be managed?

During temporary autonomous vehicle testing, team members often encounter unpredictable road conditions, evolving software updates, and the need to rapidly adapt to new testing protocols. It’s important to maintain clear communication with engineers and safety drivers to address real-time issues and ensure safety standards are upheld. Flexibility and attention to detail are key, as the role requires documenting test results accurately and providing actionable feedback to development teams. Embracing continual learning and remaining adaptable are essential for effectively managing these challenges.

What is the difference between Temporary Autonomous Vehicle Testing vs Autonomous Vehicle Software Engineer?

AspectTemporary Autonomous Vehicle TestingAutonomous Vehicle Software Engineer
Required CredentialsRelevant certifications in vehicle testing, safety protocolsComputer science, software engineering degrees, coding skills
Work EnvironmentOn-road testing, test tracks, controlled environmentsOffice, lab, software development environments
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, testing firms, R&D centersTech companies, automotive firms, startups
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for testing roles in autonomous vehicle developmentRelated to software development in autonomous systems

Temporary Autonomous Vehicle Testing involves on-road and track testing of autonomous vehicles to evaluate safety and performance, requiring certifications in vehicle safety. Autonomous Vehicle Software Engineers focus on developing the algorithms and software that enable autonomous driving, requiring coding and software engineering credentials. Both roles are essential in autonomous vehicle development but differ in their focus and work environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Autonomous Vehicle Testing jobs in Wakefield, RI?

The most popular types of Autonomous Vehicle Testing jobs in Wakefield, RI are:

What job categories do people searching Temporary Autonomous Vehicle Testing jobs in Wakefield, RI look for?

The top searched job categories for Temporary Autonomous Vehicle Testing jobs in Wakefield, RI are:

Temporary Autonomous Vehicle Testing jobs near you

Perception Engineer

Bristol, RI • On-site

Vatn Systems
Internet and IT • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Vatn Systemsexternal

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Perception Engineer
About Vatn Systems:
Vatn Systems is an innovative startup at the forefront of designing and manufacturing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Our mission is to revolutionize underwater security, exploration, research, and operations through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled engineering. Our AUVs are defining the next generation of underwater autonomy.
The Role
As a Perception Engineer, you'll develop and improve the perception stack that powers our self-driving vehicles. Working hands-on with sonar and image data, you'll help build robust pipelines for detecting and tracking. You'll work closely with the autonomy team to integrate perception capabilities into bespoke behaviors, unlocking novel capabilities.
What You'll Do
  • Implement and maintain real-time perception pipelines on autonomous vehicle platforms.
  • Develop algorithms for obstacle detection, classification, and multi-object tracking.
  • Write and maintain ROS 2 nodes and packages for on-vehicle perception software.
  • Utilize Python and C++ to develop and implement algorithms for obstacle detection, classification, and multi-object tracking.
  • Participate in on-site vehicle testing and debugging of real-world perception failures.
  • Collaborate with localization, prediction, and planning teams to ensure clean perception interfaces.
What We're Looking For
Required
  • 3-5 years of experience in robotics perception, computer vision, or autonomous systems.
  • Strong Python skills for prototyping, scripting, and ML workflows.
  • Solid ROS / ROS 2 experience, experience with commercial grade robotic systems.
  • Proficient in C++ for real-time, production-grade robotics software.
  • Experience with 3D sensor data - LiDAR point clouds, depth estimation, or multi-sensor fusion. Marine sensor experience is a big plus!
  • Working knowledge of deep learning frameworks (PyTorch preferred) for detection or segmentation tasks.
  • Working knowledge of classical data-driven perception techniques.
  • Understanding of 3D geometry, sensor calibration, and coordinate frame transformations.
  • Willingness to work on-site and participate in physical vehicle test sessions.
  • US Citizen and ability to gain a security clearance.

Preferred
  • Exposure to Rust for systems programming or robotics tooling.
  • Familiarity with AV-specific perception challenges: moving object tracking, occlusion handling, sensor degradation in adverse weather, GPS-denied localization.
  • Knowledge of TensorRT or other inference optimization tools for real-time deployment.
  • Understanding of AV safety standards or safety-critical software development practices.
Nice to Have
  • Prior experience at a startup and/or defense company.
  • Experience deploying perception models on embedded automotive hardware (Drive AGX, Jetson, etc.)

Vatn is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially having you join our team in shaping the future of autonomous underwater vehicles.

Apply