Virtual Protocol Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

Mission Summary:
The Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Test Engineering team is responsible for validating the safety, functionality, and performance of self-driving technology through rigorous, system-level testing. As an Associate AV Test Engineer (Level 1), you will focus on the execution of daily test operations, initial fault triage, and accurate reporting across virtual, closed-course, and public road environments.
Working under the guidance of lead and senior engineers, you will perform hands-on testing, isolate minor software and hardware defects, and assist in updating test artifacts. This entry-level role is designed for a detail-oriented technical candidate eager to build foundational expertise in autonomous systems validation, logging workflows, and system-level troubleshooting.
Essential Duties:

• Execution Quality: Accountably execute daily AV testing operations diligently and accurately across virtual, synthetic, or physical environments as tasked by the lead engineer.
• Initial Triage: Perform independent troubleshooting for minor platform stability issues, clearly isolating and documenting the specific environmental conditions or triggers that caused the fault.
• Defect Clarity: Isolate and document minor software or hardware defects with complete detail (including detailed reproduction steps, logs, and system environment data) to enable immediate action by senior staff or development teams.
• Reporting Integrity: Maintain high data integrity by conducting preliminary log analysis and preparing accurate, complete documentation within all assigned test run reports under supervision.
• Artifact Contribution: Create and update assigned components of test cases, test plans, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure operational best practices are up to date.
• Process Assistance & Support: Proactively assist senior engineers in the design and development of test plans and validation strategies, focusing on absorbing system architecture and design rationale. Serve as a reliable resource supporting the execution efforts of the broader test team.
• Information Flow: Efficiently and clearly communicate troubleshooting findings, log files, and initial analysis to the lead test engineer for prioritization and higher-level escalation.
• Tools & Collaboration: Utilize platforms such as Jira, Confluence, and GitLab to document technical findings, track issues, and maintain test artifact traceability.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Robotics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a relevant technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience: 0-2 years of experience in software QA, hardware/systems testing, robotics projects, or engineering operations.
• Technical Skills:
• Basic proficiency in Linux environments and foundational scripting abilities in Python or Bash/Shell.
• Familiarity with reading technical documentation, logs, and structured test procedures.
• Domain Exposure (Preferred):
• Basic exposure to automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) or simulation tools (e.g., Applied Intuition, CARLA, IPG Carmaker).
• Hands-on experience with hardware/mechatronic assembly, field testing, or academic robotics projects.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical mindset with a structured approach to logical troubleshooting and defect isolation.
• Adaptability & Communication: Clear written and verbal communication skills; ability to follow detailed operational instructions and learn quickly in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and at times for long periods; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.
Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here represent those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions, road conditions, and pedestrian traffic. The team member is regularly exposed to mechanical and computer parts. The team member is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles. The noise level in the environment is low to moderate.
Motional AD LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and we welcome all qualified applicants. All applicants will receive impartial consideration regarding race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or another legally protected status. Motional AD LLC is a Drug-free workplace.
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only. This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.
Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional's benefits program. Motional's benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.
Salary Range
$67,000-$85,000 USD
Motional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. We're driven by something more.
Our journey is always people first.
We aren't just developing driverless cars; we're creating safer roadways, more equitable transportation options, and making our communities better places to live, work, and connect. Our team is made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers and doers, who are creating a technology with the potential to transform the way we move.
Higher purpose, greater impact.
We're creating first-of-its-kind technology that will transform transportation. To do so successfully, we must design for everyone in our cities and on our roads. We believe in building a great place to work through a progressive, global culture that is diverse, inclusive, and ensures people feel valued at every level of the organization. Diversity helps us to see the world differently; it's not only good for our business, it's the right thing to do.
Scale up, not starting up.
Our team is behind some of the industry's largest leaps forward, including the first fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the U.S, the launch of the world's first robotaxi pilot, and operation of the world's longest-standing public robotaxi fleet. We're driven to scale; we're moving towards commercialization of our technology, and we need team members who are ready to embrace change and challenges.
Formed as a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, Motional is fundamentally changing how people move through their lives. Headquartered in Boston, Motional has operations in the U.S and Asia. For more information, visit and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Motional AD Inc. is an EOE. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To comply with Federal Law, we participate in E-Verify. All newly-hired employees are queried through this electronic system established by the DHS and the SSA to verify their identity and employment eligibility.