Full-Time
Technical Lead
Simulation
Posted on 10/31/2025
Nuro
1,001-5,000 employees
Autonomous delivery vehicles for business logistics
Compensation Overview
$235k - $352.3k/yr
Company Historically Provides H1B Sponsorship
Mountain View, CA, USA
In Person
 Software Engineering (1) |
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- You have 5+ years of technical leadership experience in software engineering or related fields.
- You have demonstrated ability to lead engineering groups to navigate complex challenges and deliver highly-effective solutions.
- You care deeply about technical excellence, and have experience maintaining and raising the technical bar for your team.
- You are a hands-on technical leader and mentor for other engineers.
- You enjoy tackling challenges in new problem spaces, solving pivotal problems, and building real solutions to bring your ideas to life.
- You thrive in a highly collaborative environment, working effectively with engineers, PMs, and other stakeholders on project ideas, prioritization, and execution.
- You’re experienced with all stages of a product’s lifecycle. You can effectively take a product from zero to one or scale an existing one up to be relied upon in critical pipelines and workflows.
- You have start-up DNA: You have demonstrated an ability to thrive in the ambiguity of a dynamic start-up environment or have the DNA to do so.
- You are passionate about bettering everyday life through robotics.
- Lead efforts to expand the functionality, performance, usability of our core simulator.
- Lead developments of new innovative solutions to improve simulation realism and coverage through synthesis.
- Guide architectural designs to unify and simplify the interactions of complex systems.
- Define strategies and set direction across a large array of potential efforts, ranging from new greenfield projects to expanding/scaling existing systems.
- Work closely with teams that use simulation, including evaluation/metrics teams, autonomy engineers, and systems engineers.
- Drive extensive collaborations with other teams and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver integrated solutions.
- Previous experience in simulation for autonomous vehicles or other areas of autonomous vehicle development.
Nuro builds autonomous, zero-occupant delivery vehicles to move goods for businesses such as retailers, grocers, and restaurants. Its product works by using self-driving vehicles that operate without a human driver, with delivery services charged to business partners via a subscription model or per-delivery fees. What sets Nuro apart is its sole focus on goods delivery rather than passenger transport, optimizing vehicles for safe, efficient item delivery and reducing emissions. The company aims to provide a cost-effective, scalable autonomous delivery solution that improves delivery speed and convenience while decreasing reliance on human drivers.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Series E
Total Funding
$2.3B
Headquarters
Mountain View, California
Founded
2016
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Uber tests Lucid Gravity robotaxis with Nuro Driver for 20,000-unit SF launch in 2026.
- KraneShares AGIX ETF invests in Nuro alongside Anthropic and SpaceX in 2026.
- Lucid starts Arizona production of Nuro-equipped Gravity SUVs late 2026.
What critics are saying
- CPUC denies Nuro's San Francisco robotaxi permit, blocking 2026 Uber launch.
- Waymo dominates Bay Area robotaxi market with Jaguar I-PACE fleets now.
- Lucid delays Arizona Gravity production, derailing Uber's 20,000-vehicle rollout.
What makes Nuro unique
- Nuro Driver enables zero-shot autonomy, deploying in Tokyo without local training data.
- Nuro licenses vehicle-agnostic Level 4 software to automakers since September 2024.
- Nuro logs 1.7 million autonomous miles with zero at-fault incidents across states.
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Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
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↓ -2%2 year growth
↓ -3%Nuro is testing its autonomous vehicle tech on Tokyo's streets. In a bold move to prove that self-driving "brains" can travel as well as humans, California-based Nuro has officially begun testing its autonomous vehicle technology on the public roads of Tokyo. This marks the company's first operational footprint outside the United States and represents a massive "pressure test" for its AI-first driving system. While most autonomous players spend months or years pre-mapping and "training" their AI on local data before hitting the streets, Nuro is attempting something much more ambitious: Zero-Shot Autonomy. The Tokyo challenge: driving on the "wrong" Side. Tokyo is widely considered one of the most difficult environments for autonomous systems. The city presents a trifecta of technical hurdles that differ drastically from Nuro's home turf in California and Texas: * Left-Side Traffic: The shift from right-hand to left-hand driving requires a fundamental reorientation of sensor logic and intersection navigation. * Hyper-Dense Urbanism: Narrow, winding residential "micro-streets" often lack traditional lane markings and are shared with a high volume of pedestrians and cyclists. * Unfamiliar Signage: Japanese road signs and traffic signals follow unique conventions that the AI must interpret in real-time. What is "Zero-Shot" Autonomy? Nuro's deployment is notable because the company did not train its system on Japanese driving data before the vehicles hit the road. "Our autonomy stack learns the underlying structure of safe driving rather than memorizing city-specific rules," Nuro stated. By using "zero-shot" deployment, Nuro aims to prove that its Nuro Driver(TM) software - which uses a multimodal end-to-end (E2E) AI model - is "geography-agnostic." If successful, it would mean Nuro could scale to new global markets at a fraction of the cost and time required by competitors who rely on hyper-detailed local mapping. Beyond delivery: the global robotaxi push. While Nuro built its reputation on the "R2" delivery pods, its 2026 strategy has pivoted toward licensing its autonomy stack to major automakers and mobility networks. Key 2026 Partnerships: * Uber & Lucid: Earlier this year at CES, the trio unveiled a "production-intent" global robotaxi. Uber plans to deploy a fleet of 20,000 robotaxis powered by Nuro's tech starting in 2027. * Hardware Integration: Nuro's system leverages the NVIDIA DRIVE Thor centralized computer, allowing for massive processing power inside the vehicle to handle the "messy reality" of Tokyo traffic. Quick look: Nuro's Tokyo deployment (march 2026). Nuro's success in Tokyo will serve as a definitive signal for the industry. If the "Nuro Driver" can navigate the chaos of Shibuya or the tight alleys of Setagaya without a ground-up local rebuild, it validates the idea of a Universal Autonomy Platform. Success here could lead to a rapid expansion of autonomous logistics and ride-hailing across Asia by the end of the decade.
Lucid's upcoming mid-size platform will spawn three new SUVs and possibly a robotaxi. Caleb Miller Thu, March 12, 2026 at 11:22 AM PDT * Lucid announced plans today for three SUVs on its upcoming mid-size platform, confirming that one will be an SUV called the Earth. * The Earth will be supplemented by the Cosmos, which looks sleeker, as well as an off-road-focused SUV. * Lucid also teased an autonomous two-seat robotaxi called the Lunar that is still in concept form but also employed the mid-size platform. Lucid is gearing up to expand its lineup after launching its second model, the Gravity SUV, last year. Incited first heard that Lucid was developing a new mid-size platform for a smaller SUV model back in 2024, and today at a Lucid investor event in New York, the California-based startup expounded upon its plans for the mid-size platform, confirming that it will be producing at least three new models. Details are still sparse, but Lucid confirmed the names of two of its new mid-size SUVs. Incited has previously discovered trademarks for the name "Earth," and now Incited know that the Earth will indeed be the moniker of one of Lucid's new models. The Earth, which is expected to follow a similar approach to the Gravity but with smaller dimensions, is also set to be joined by another mid-size SUV called the Cosmos. Lucid says the Cosmos is "designed for customers seeking exceptional efficiency, space, and performance." It's unclear exactly how this will be positioned relative to the Earth, but the teaser images show a vehicle with a lower, sloping roofline. Lucid is targeting a starting price below $50,000 for its mid-size vehicles. The startup is also planning a third mid-size SUV, and while Incited don't yet have a name for this model, the vehicle will be positioned with more of a focus on off-roading. Incited first heard about Lucid's plans for a more adventurous SUV last fall, and the teaser image shows a more upright and square rear end than the Earth and the Cosmos. The mid-size platform will also debut the new Atlas drive unit, which Lucid says is smaller, lighter, and simpler, with identical front and rear housings and mounts that reduce manufacturing costs. Lastly, Lucid announced a purpose-built, two-seater robotaxi called the Lunar. Based on the mid-size architecture, the Lunar is still in the concept phase, and the images show a vehicle with no doors that is obviously not quite ready for production. This appears to be a response of sorts to the Tesla Cybercab robotaxi, and the cabin features a large screen and no steering wheel or pedals. Lucid also discussed its partnership with Uber on autonomous vehicles, revealing that the companies are finalizing an agreement to use its mid-size vehicles "at a scale similar to the Gravity robotaxi program" that will ramp up over time. Uber, Lucid, and Nuro announced that they were teaming on a robotoaxi service using Gravity-based cars at CES earlier this year. Check back soon for more details on Lucid's mid-size platform and autonomous plans. Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.
Nuro, an Nvidia- and Uber-backed autonomous delivery vehicle startup, has begun testing self-driving vehicles on public roads in Tokyo with safety operators present, marking its first international deployment. The company claims "zero-shot" autonomy, meaning its system operates without prior training on Japanese driving data. The deployment navigates technical challenges including left-side driving, right-hand-drive vehicles and dense urban streets. Nuro prepared through closed-course testing in Las Vegas, large-scale simulation and shadow mode trials where AI made decisions without controlling vehicles. Nuro now licenses its self-driving software and hardware stack to automakers and mobility companies. Uber and electric vehicle maker Lucid plan to deploy over 20,000 Lucid vehicles running Nuro's system across dozens of markets worldwide. The company intends to incorporate Japan-specific driving data into its model, with partner deployments expected soon.
Nuro tests autonomous driving technology on Tokyo roads. Reader Mode A Silicon Valley autonomous vehicle startup, Nuro, has begun testing its self driving technology on public roads in Tokyo, marking the company's first expansion outside the United States. The pilot programme uses modified Toyota Prius cars fitted with Nuro's autonomous driving software, while human safety operators remain behind the wheel as a precaution during the testing phase. The company said the trial, which began last month, is designed to evaluate how its technology performs under Japan's unique road conditions and traffic culture. Unlike in the United States, vehicles in Japan drive on the left side of the road, and Tokyo's streets are known for dense traffic, different road signs and distinctive lane markings. Nuro said these factors present new challenges as the system adapts to unfamiliar driving environments. Founded in 2016 by former engineers from the early self driving project at Google, Dave Ferguson and Jiajun Zhu, the startup initially focused on operating small autonomous delivery robots. The company attracted major investors including SoftBank, which invested $940 million through its Vision Fund in 2019, helping the startup gain global attention in the fast evolving autonomous vehicle industry. After facing rising development costs and industry consolidation, Nuro shifted its strategy in 2024 by abandoning its delivery robot model and instead licensing its autonomous driving technology to automakers and mobility companies. The firm's software is built on an artificial intelligence system that allows vehicles to learn and adapt as they operate, an approach the company describes as "zero shot autonomous driving." Nuro said the Tokyo tests demonstrate the potential of this AI driven system to function in new environments without extensive prior training on local driving data. The company also noted that safety remains a priority, with vehicles currently operating in "shadow mode" where the software predicts driving actions while human operators remain in control. Backed by investors including Nvidia and Uber, Nuro said the Tokyo programme could pave the way for wider international deployment of its autonomous driving technology in the future
Uber, Lucid, and Nuro reveal new electric robotaxi. Three big names in the transportation world have joined forces to change how ArenaEV get around cities. At the CES technology show, Uber, Lucid, and Nuro showed off a new kind of taxi. This new vehicle is one of the most advanced electric cars to hit the streets. The three companies plan to start picking up passengers in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year. The new project combines the strengths of three different companies. Lucid provides the car itself - the Gravity SUV as the base for the taxi. Nuro provides the "driver." This is not a person, but a computer system that controls the car. And finally, Uber brings its massive network of riders. If you use the Uber app, you might soon get picked up by a self-driving Lucid Gravity. The car itself has undergone some changes. It is a Level 4 robotaxi, meaning it can handle most driving tasks on its own without a human needing to take over. To do this, the car needs to see the world clearly. It uses a mix of cameras, radar, and LiDAR sensors that use light to measure distances. These sensors are built right into the body of the car. There is also a pod on the roof called a "halo." This equipment gives the computer a full 360-degree view of the road. The computer brain of this vehicle uses the Nuro Driver system that runs on a computer chip made by Nvidia called the Drive AGX Thor. It processes information in real-time, allowing the car to make safe decisions quickly. The three companies involved in this project started testing these cars on actual roads back in December. Finding your ride can sometimes be hard, especially at a busy airport or concert. This robotaxi solves that problem in a clever way. The "halo" on the roof has screens on it. When the car gets close to you, the screens will show your initials. This way, you know exactly which car is yours before you even open the door. It is a small detail, but it makes the experience much smoother for the rider. Once you get inside, the experience is different from a normal taxi. You sit in the second row. A screen greets you by name. It also shows you where you are going. You are in charge of when the ride begins. There is a digital button that lets you open the trunk to put in your bags. When you are seated and ready, you tap "Start Drive" on the screen. The car will not move until you tell it to. During the ride, the screen keeps you informed. It shows you the time you will arrive at your destination. It also shows you what the car is doing. If the car stops for a person walking across the street, the screen shows an animation of that. It tells you when the car is changing lanes or slowing down for a light. This should help riders trust the vehicle. You can also control the temperature, turn on heated seats, or change the music. And if there is a problem, you can contact support or tell the car to pull over to the side of the road safely. This robotaxi is not just for solo travelers. It is built to carry groups. The vehicle can seat up to six passengers comfortably. It also has plenty of room for luggage. This makes it a great option for families or groups of friends going out for dinner. The large size of the Lucid Gravity SUV makes this possible. Lucid will apparently start building robotaxis later this year at their factory in Arizona. After that, they will head to the Bay Area for service. Unsurprisingly, Uber has big goals for this partnership. They hope to put at least 20,000 of these Lucid robotaxis on the road over the next six years, with a plan to expand to dozens of markets around the world.