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Vehicle Test Driver Jobs in Carson, CA (NOW HIRING)

Arc Boat Company

Test Technician

Torrance, CA

$41 - $46/hr

Safely conduct bench tests in the lab and on-vehicle tests in the field to collect data Minimum ... Valid Drivers' license Bonus Qualifications * Knowledge using TIG and MIG welding for steel and ...

Arc Boat Company

Test Technician

Torrance, CA · On-site

$41 - $46/hr

Safely conduct bench tests in the lab and on-vehicle tests in the field to collect data Minimum ... Valid Drivers' license Bonus Qualifications * Knowledge using TIG and MIG welding for steel and ...

LifeWise Academy

Vehicle Driver

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Overview As a LifeWise vehicle driver, you will provide safe and reliable transportation for public ... Drug testing will be conducted for pre-employment, annual random tests and following traffic ...

LifeWise Academy

Vehicle Driver

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Overview As a LifeWise vehicle driver, you will provide safe and reliable transportation for public ... Drug testing will be conducted for pre-employment, annual random tests and following traffic ...

Hyundai Motor Company

NVH Engineer II

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80 - $93/hr

Evaluate, Test and Develop the Total Vehicle performance / Noise and Vibration performance / Ride ... Valid Driver's License and satisfactory driving record WHAT HYUNDAI CAN OFFER YOU * Zero‑dollar ...

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How much do vehicle test driver jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for vehicle test driver in Carson, CA is $20.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $20.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a vehicle test driver?

Vehicle test drivers are professionals who operate automobiles, trucks, or other vehicles in controlled or real-world environments to evaluate their performance, safety, and reliability. They follow specific test procedures and report on factors such as handling, braking, acceleration, and comfort. Their feedback helps manufacturers identify potential problems and improve vehicle design before products reach the market.

What does a vehicle test driver do?

As a vehicle test driver, you operate a vehicle and perform a test drive to check systems on a test track or open road. Your feedback helps assess safety factors, provide reports for fuel economy, and identify issues before production. You may work with a prototype, pre-production, or a finished vehicle and are often expected to inspect and review every part of the car, from tires to brakes to turn signals to engines. Your duties include completing scientifically designed tests and creating reports on your findings to improve the speed and safety of vehicles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vehicle test driver, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vehicle Test Driver, you need a valid driver’s license, strong driving skills, mechanical aptitude, and often a background in automotive technology or engineering. Familiarity with diagnostic tools, data logging systems, and vehicle testing protocols is typically required. Attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to follow precise instructions are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate vehicle assessments, reliable data collection, and the safe execution of test procedures.

What challenges might I face as a vehicle test driver, and how can I prepare for them?

As a Vehicle Test Driver, you'll often encounter varying road conditions, tight schedules, and the need to meticulously document your observations. Adapting quickly to different vehicles and maintaining focus during long or repetitive test drives are common challenges. Strong communication skills are essential, as you'll regularly collaborate with engineers and technicians to relay performance feedback and safety concerns. Preparing by staying up to date on vehicle technologies and practicing defensive driving techniques can help you excel in this role.

What is the difference between Vehicle Test Driver vs Vehicle Quality Inspector?

AspectVehicle Test DriverVehicle Quality Inspector
Required CredentialsValid driver's license, driving experience, sometimes specialized trainingQuality control certifications, attention to detail, inspection training
Work EnvironmentTest tracks, manufacturing plants, vehicle testing facilitiesInspection stations, manufacturing lines, quality assurance labs
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, testing agencies, R&D departmentsAutomotive plants, quality assurance companies, certification bodies

While both roles involve working with vehicles, Vehicle Test Drivers focus on driving and evaluating vehicle performance, whereas Vehicle Quality Inspectors concentrate on inspecting vehicles for defects and quality standards. The roles often overlap in automotive testing environments but serve different primary functions.

How much does a vehicle test driver earn?

Vehicle test drivers typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of testing tasks. Some positions may offer additional compensation for overtime or specialized skills such as vehicle diagnostics or safety testing.

Is there a job where you test drive vehicles?

A vehicle test driver is a job that involves driving new or prototype vehicles to evaluate their performance, safety, and handling. These roles often require a valid driver's license, good driving skills, and sometimes specific knowledge of vehicle mechanics or safety standards. Test drivers typically work in controlled environments or on designated test tracks and may be employed by automakers, suppliers, or testing agencies.
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Infographic showing various Vehicle Test Driver job openings in Carson, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,631 per year, or $20 per hour.

Principal Integration & Test Engineer

K2 Space

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers – we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

As a Principal Integration & Test Engineer, you will help hone K2's approach to subscale and full vehicle production, qualification testing, and operation. Your work will span most technical disciplines at the company and will require building consensus from disparate stakeholders. You will be asked to help mentors others while serving as a critical driver for on-time delivery and mitigating mission risk. Our goal is to develop a fully autonomous constellation and that starts on the ground. You'll be the driver of constellation-level control to realize this goal.

Responsibilities

  • Develop company-wide standards for vehicle test (manual and automated) used to confirm spacecraft hardware and software flightworthiness
  • Operate spacecraft (interpret telemetry, send commands) during system tests at the factory, test facilities, launch sites, and during pre-launch operations
  • Act as a test conductor (and sometimes POC) for environmental test campaigns
  • Mentor more junior members of the team
  • Interface with customers to scope testing performed on their payloads, based on expected functions and failure modes of interest
  • Manage relationships with launch vehicle providers, including contractual deliverables such as interface control documents and environmental test plan justifications
  • Lead high-visibility (proto)qualification campaigns for development and flight hardware
  • Assess risks associated with different integration and test approaches, justify test reductions and optimize vehicle build/test flows for at-rate production

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace, mechanical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline
  • 8+ years of experience in an integration/test/automation engineering role
  • 5+ years of experience testing and troubleshooting spacecraft and their related components and systems, including subsystem checkouts and system acceptance testing
  • Experience with environmental testing, such as thermal vacuum or random vibration
  • Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment
  • Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, etc.)
  • Hands-on experience with HITL/HWIL or Flatsat software verification testbeds
  • Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Nice to Have

  • Proficient in Python and/or Rust
  • Experience with Linux systems
  • Experience managing contractual interfaces (e.g. customer, launch vehicle)

Compensation and Benefits

  • Base salary range for this role is $175,000 - $200,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

K2 Space logo

About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022

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