Senior AV Test Engineer
About the job
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Robotics, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field; a master's degree is preferred.
- At least 5 years of experience in software quality assurance, systems testing, or release engineering within autonomous vehicles, advanced driver-assistance systems, robotics, or safety-critical automotive systems.
- A proven track record leading software or systems release sign-off and defining release-readiness frameworks for commercial-grade safety-critical products.
- Hands-on experience establishing automated release gates, continuous integration and continuous delivery verification workflows, and release risk management strategies.
- Advanced proficiency in Linux environments and scripting or programming languages including Python, Bash or Shell, and C++.
- Deep experience with end-to-end testing across software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, simulation platforms such as Applied Intuition, CARLA, and IPG Carmaker, and track or on-vehicle environments.
- Working knowledge of ISO 26262, ISO 21448 (SOTIF), UL 4600, and autonomous vehicle safety case development workflows.
- Technical leadership experience mentoring junior engineers and influencing cross-functional technical decisions.
- Analytical skills in systemic root cause analysis, log parsing, and determining root causes across complex hardware-software interactions.
- Ability to travel domestically occasionally to support on-site testing and track deployments.
- Ability to support after-hours testing, urgent release deployment verification, or incident triage as required by commercial fleet operations.
- Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including occasionally lifting and moving up to 50 pounds, and to work around outdoor weather and road conditions, pedestrian traffic, mechanical and computer parts, and occasional fumes or airborne particles.
- Own the commercialization release candidate validation lifecycle; define, enforce, and maintain release-readiness criteria, entry and exit gates, and safety verification protocols for commercial fleet deployments.
- Own integration and validation of the commercial software release bundle, including passenger displays, the Uber API, command center fleet monitoring, and associated software components; ensure interface compatibility, end-to-end workflows, and release-candidate readiness for commercial fleet deployment.
- Design, deploy, and enforce automated quality gates within continuous integration and continuous delivery and testing pipelines to prevent critical software and hardware bugs from reaching pre-production or deployment builds.
- Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of validation testing across simulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and on-vehicle environments, focusing on end-to-end performance across perception, planning, and control subsystems.
- Lead root cause analysis for complex or systemic platform failures and drive permanent architectural, code, or operational changes across cross-functional teams to prevent recurrence.
- Represent testing as a subject matter expert in cross-functional design reviews with Development, Systems, and Product teams, embedding testability and safety verification requirements into early feature architecture.
- Design, build, and maintain scalable test frameworks and automation tools using Python, Shell, and scenario-based simulation platforms such as Applied Intuition to increase test coverage and reduce validation cycle times.
- Identify and resolve bottlenecks in test execution, data parsing, and fault triage workflows to accelerate release velocity without compromising safety or reliability.
- Serve as the primary technical point of contact for software release synchronization; align testing schedules, dependency tracking, and risk trade-offs with Safety, Systems, Software, and Fleet Operations.
- Mentor junior and mid-level test engineers; create and deliver formal training programs, standard operating procedures, and documentation to standardize technical testing practices.
- Ensure testing procedures and verification evidence comply with ISO 26262, ISO 21448 (SOTIF), UL 4600, and ISO 9001, using Jira, GitLab, and Confluence for traceability.
- Travel domestically occasionally to support on-site testing and track deployments, and support after-hours testing, urgent release deployment verification, or incident triage as required by commercial fleet operations.
- A master's degree in Engineering, Robotics, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
About the company
Motional builds fully driverless, all-electric robotaxis for urban transportation. Its vehicles operate within ride-hailing and delivery networks by partnering with these services to provide autonomous mobility options. The cars use advanced sensors and software to navigate city streets safely, while a real-time Command Center monitors every robotaxi, allowing human agents to supervise operations, offer remote assistance, and ensure passenger safety. Motional differentiates itself through continuous real-time oversight, a scalable B2B model, and a focus on integrating autonomous vehicles into existing mobility networks rather than selling to individual consumers. The company aims to make driverless transportation safe, reliable, and accessible at scale, reducing costs and increasing efficiency for partners and riders alike.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$927.2M
Headquarters
Boston, Massachusetts
Founded
2020
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 8, 2026 nuReasoning launch deepens Motional’s AI moat and licensing revenue options.
- March 13, 2026 Uber relaunch restored public robotaxi service after Motional’s 2024 reset.
- Laura Major targets end-2026 driverless service, creating a near-term commercialization catalyst.
What critics are saying
- Motional still uses safety drivers in Las Vegas; a fully driverless launch slips to late-2026.
- Hyundai has already injected over $3.4 billion; another missed deadline pressures a breakup.
- Waymo and Zoox already operate in Las Vegas, crushing Motional’s path to relevance.
What makes Motional unique
- Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 factory integration gives Motional built-in sensors and compute, cutting retrofit costs.
- Motional’s nuReasoning dataset, released September 8, 2026, monetizes fleet data and reasoning labels.
- Uber distribution gives Motional immediate rider demand without building its own consumer app.
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Benefits
401K: 401K with up to 7.5% match
time Off: Unlimited sick and vacation days
Transportation: Commuter and fitness benefits
Healthcare: 3 plan options to support diverse needs
IVF: Fertility assistance
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
-10%1 year growth
-10%2 year growth
-10%Motional has released nuReasoning, described as the world's first reasoning-centric open dataset for autonomous vehicles. The dataset contains 20,000 long-tail scenarios drawn from Motional's driving data across Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Boston, and Singapore. The dataset provides over 105 hours of edge cases with 247,000 reasoning annotations, designed to teach autonomous vehicles human-like decision-making. Each scenario includes at least 20 seconds of video with human-verified reasoning explaining why specific actions were taken. Motional developed the dataset with UCLA Mobility Lab and Professor Jiaqi Ma. The company is launching the nuReasoning Challenge at the European Conference on Computer Vision in Sweden, with winners to be announced at NeurIPS in December. The dataset is available for free academic use or commercial licensing. A miniset released earlier this year was downloaded over 50,000 times.
Motional recognized on Fast Company's list of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators. Motional earned a spot on Fast Company's eighth annual Best Workplaces for Innovators list, recognizing businesses that are creating cultures where innovation can thrive at every level. The 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators list recognizes 100 companies across industries such as entertainment, biotech, consumer packaged goods, marketing, education, and healthcare. To be considered, applicants detailed their investment in innovation, internal programs, and company culture. Fast Company's editors evaluated each application and conducted extensive research to develop a score for each company. A distinguished panel of judges then reviewed the top-rated companies to determine the final honorees. "Innovation at Motional is rooted in a culture where team members feel safe to explore bold new ideas, are fully empowered to shape AI solutions for transportation, and are passionate about improving the safety of our roads, " says Laura Major, President and CEO at Motional. "Being recognized on Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators list is a testament to our team's relentless curiosity, collaborative spirit, and shared commitment to inventing the future of mobility." Driven by a culture of innovation, Motional achieved key internal milestones in 2025, headlined by over 50 new patent filings through the Intellectual Property (IP) program. Motional's annual cross-functional Innovation Challenge engaged teams across engineering, operations, and business to generate high-value, patentable ideas. Furthermore, Motional's annual AI Summit convened 100+ machine learning engineers to accelerate the integration of cutting-edge AI across Motional's core autonomy systems, enterprise tools and workflows to drive speed, agility, accuracy, and cost efficiency. "The most innovative workplaces don't simply ask their employees to come up with great ideas; they create the conditions that make great ideas possible," says Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "This year's honorees understand that innovation is ultimately a cultural commitment that requires empowering people to think differently, take risks, and turn ideas into actions. We're proud to recognize the companies and executives who are leading by example."
Hyundai-backed Motional has relaunched robotaxi operations in Las Vegas through Uber, two years after pausing its commercial service to overhaul its technology and reduce costs. CEO Laura Major told Business Insider the company can now deploy robotaxis more cheaply than competitors like Waymo. The company shifted from specialised models to "Large Driving Models" that adapt across geographies, whilst cutting 40% of its workforce to 700 employees. Motional's integration with Hyundai allows cars to arrive from production lines with sensors and compute power pre-installed, avoiding costly retrofitting. Currently operating with safety drivers, Motional plans fully driverless service by end-2026. The company will partner with ride-hailing platforms rather than launch its own app, with plans to license technology to other operators for fleet management.
Uber and Hyundai Motor-backed Motional launched a commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas on Friday, marking the latest partnership as Uber expands its self-driving taxi strategy. The company has committed over $100 million to develop autonomous vehicle charging hubs. Las Vegas users can hail Motional's IONIQ 5 electric robotaxis through Uber's app at no extra cost. The service covers key areas including Las Vegas Boulevard, Resorts World, Downtown Las Vegas and Town Square near the airport. The vehicles will initially operate with human safety operators, with fully driverless service expected by late 2026. Motional's IONIQ 5 is among the first Level 4-capable autonomous vehicles certified under US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Uber has recently partnered with Amazon's Zoox, Baidu, Nissan and Wayve to expand autonomous offerings globally.
Uber and Motional launch commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas. In this article: March 13 (Reuters) - Uber and Hyundai Motor-backed autonomous vehicle firm Motional launched a commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas on Friday, the latest in a string of similar tie-ups as the ride-hailing platform doubles down on its self-driving taxi strategy. Uber has already partnered with major players in the space, including Baidu, Amazon's Zoox, Nissan and British startup Wayve, and said it will invest more than $100 million to develop autonomous vehicle charging hubs as the sector races to commercialize driverless mobility at scale. * Uber's tie-up with Motional will allow Las Vegas users onits app to hail a driverless electric vehicle at no extra cost,the company said. * The service will cover pick-up zones along Las VegasBoulevard, including Resorts World, Encore at the Wynn, WestgateResort & Casino, Downtown Las Vegas and Town Square near theairport. * Users requesting UberX, Uber Electric, Uber Comfort orUber Comfort Electric may be matched with a Motional IONIQ 5robotaxi, with the option to switch to a conventional ride. * Motional's IONIQ 5 is among the first SAE Level 4-capableautonomous vehicles certified under the U.S.'s Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), according to Uber. * The vehicles will initially operate with a human safetyoperator behind the wheel, with a fully driverless serviceexpected to be launched by late 2026. * Earlier this week, Uber signed a multi-year deal to deployAmazon self-driving unit Zoox's robotaxis on its platform, withlimited services already live in Las Vegas and a pilot riderprogram underway in San Francisco. * On Thursday, Uber, Nissan and Wayve agreed to collaborate,targeting a pilot robotaxi launch in Tokyo by late 2026, markingUber's first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan. (Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda)