Tactical Development Truck Operator

Who we are

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.

The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.

At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn.

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all. We are seeking a highly motivated CDL A professional to join our Autonomous Vehicle (AV) testing team. In this role, you aren’t just a driver—you are a vital part of our development process. You will operate Class 8 trucks equipped with cutting-edge self-driving technology to help us map, test, and build the future of transportation. This role is built for those who love the open road and is perfect for individuals comfortable with up to 90% travel.

We are currently hiring at our Houston, Texas terminal. Houston: PM Shift: Thursday - Monday

Employment Type: This is a 12-month assignment with the potential to extend.

In this role, you will

• Strictly adhere to all safety protocols and DOT regulations while acting as a professional representative of the company to the public.

• Operate the truck while following specific, technical driving protocols to collect high-quality data for our engineering teams.

• At times work as a two-person team, cross-training to sit in the passenger seat, where you will manage mission software, troubleshoot equipment, and monitor real-time data feeds.

• Execute test missions to evaluate software changes on public roads and closed courses, acting as the "eyes and ears" for our engineers.

• Perform Pre-Trips—going beyond standard DOT/FMCSA inspections to verify sensor calibrations and ensure software is updated for the day’s mission.

• Use onboard digital tools to "flag" or "tag" road events (like construction or unique traffic behaviors) so engineers can review the data later.

• Perform simple troubleshooting, such as restarting software modules or checking sensor connections with remote guidance from our engineering team.

Who You Are

• A Continuous Learner: You don't need a computer science degree, but you must be comfortable using laptops/tablets and eager to build a foundation in autonomous technology.

• A Growth Mindset: You value coaching and feedback and are excited by the fast-moving nature of the AV industry.

• Detail Oriented: You take pride in providing clear, actionable feedback on how the truck "feels" and behaves on the road.

Required Qualifications

Licensing & Compliance:

• Interstate Class-A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

• Valid U.S. Driver’s License (in addition to the CDL)

• Must pass DOT physical and meet all DOT qualification standards.

• Must pass pre-employment, post-incident, and randomized drug testing in accordance with FMCSA requirements

• Driving record must pass Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) guidelines

• Is at least 25 years of age

Experience & Technical Skills:

• Minimum 3 years of experience driving trucks commercially

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude for basic troubleshooting and maintenance of vehicle systems

• Proficiency in collaboration tools, including Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets

• Experience with Jira (e.g., filling out tickets, tracking ticket statuses)

Aptitude & Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for technical reporting and team collaboration

• Ability to use laptops and tablets to launch test missions, monitor real-time data feeds, and enter detailed digital logs.

• Inquisitive attitude, interested in problem solving and solving puzzles

• Positive experiences working in a collaborative environment - team player

• Ability to prioritize and make strategic decisions proactively

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude for basic troubleshooting and maintenance

Work Environment & Travel:

• Comfortable with long distance driving in diverse traffic and weather conditions

• Ability to travel weekly to new collection locations (up to 90% of the time)

• Comfortable with air travel for deployments

• Ability to work rotating shifts as needed, and regular overtime and weekends

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in an Agile or Scrum Environment

• Experience with Linux or Command Line Interfaces (CLI)

• Prior Experience in Aviation, or High-Stakes Logistics

• Experience with high-fidelity mapping tools and procedures

• Experience in a safety-critical operations environment or vehicle development/testing

Work Environment and Requirements

• Travel: Significant and frequent travel (up to 90%) across various domestic locations, often for extended periods over the road.

• Environmental Exposure:

  • Must be prepared to operate the Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) and execute mission protocols in a wide range of weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, snow) and diverse road environments (e.g., urban, rural, interstate highways, construction zones).

  • Operators must be comfortable with exposure to dust, dirt, vibration, and other particulate matter common to commercial vehicle operations.

• Schedule: Flexibility to work non-standard hours, including over the road schedules, weekends or nights, to meet critical development deadlines.

• Testing: Ability to pass all DOT and company-required testing, including pre-employment drug and alcohol screening, ongoing random testing, and annual medical certification.

• Physical Requirements: Ability to sit for long periods while operating a vehicle and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds for equipment handling and cargo securing.

The base hourly wage range for this position is $31.00 - $38.50 per hour. Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together — all without any jerks.

We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy, and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, Aurorans are expected to work from the office at least 3 days per week, with some roles requiring more frequent in-office presence, up to 5 days per week, based on operational needs.

Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom.

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.

Our commitment to inclusion

Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].

For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.