Full-Time

Head of Total Rewards

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Aurora Innovation

Aurora Innovation

1,001-5,000 employees

Develops self-driving technology for vehicles

Compensation Overview

$211k - $359k/yr

+ Bonus + Equity Compensation + Benefits

Expert

Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Category
Human Resources
People & HR
Required Skills
Data Analysis
Requirements
  • 12+ years of progressive compensation and benefits experience, including executive compensation leadership in a publicly traded company.
  • Experience supporting Compensation Committees and working directly with board-level stakeholders.
  • Deep knowledge of compensation structures (base, bonus, equity), equity vehicles (RSUs, PSUs, options, ESPP), and benefits programs.
  • Familiarity with SEC regulations, proxy disclosure, and CD&A reporting.
  • Strong modeling, analytics, and communication skills, with the ability to distill complex data into actionable insights.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field; advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., CCP, CBP) preferred.
  • Proven experience to lead through influence in a dynamic, high-growth environment.
Responsibilities
  • Own preparation of Compensation Committee materials and drive the executive compensation agenda in collaboration with Legal, and Finance.
  • Provide strategic counsel to the executive team on equity programs, pay-for-performance alignment, and market competitiveness.
  • Strategically connect the value proposition of enterprise programs to business imperatives.
  • Partner with Legal to ensure compliance with public company disclosure requirements, including CD&A, proxy filings, and 10-K/10-Q considerations.
  • Create and expand salary, bonus, equity, and recognition programs that align with our strategy and culture, reinforce our mission and values, impact retention, and keep Aurora competitive in the talent market.
  • Lead the annual compensation planning cycle, including benchmarking, merit increases, bonus payouts, and equity refresh grants.
  • Partner with People Leadership team to steward Aurora’s job architecture and leveling framework - owning pay ranges, market benchmarking, and internal-equity guardrails - to ensure career paths remain clear, competitive, and fiscally disciplined.
  • Oversee Aurora’s benefits and wellbeing programs, ensuring they are competitive, inclusive, and supportive of a diverse employee population.
  • Partner with brokers and vendors to evaluate program effectiveness and optimize cost and experience.
  • Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and international regulations governing employee benefits and leaves.
  • Build and maintain robust compensation and benefits analytics to support transparency and data-driven decisions.
  • Ensure compliance with internal controls, external audits, and evolving legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, and People to ensure alignment across systems and policies.
  • Lead and develop a high-performing Total Rewards team.
  • Foster a culture of trust, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
Desired Qualifications
  • Advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., CCP, CBP) preferred.

Aurora Innovation develops self-driving technology aimed at transforming transportation. Its main product, the Aurora Driver, can be integrated into various vehicles to enable autonomous movement of people and goods. The technology works by utilizing an advanced sensor suite, including FirstLight Lidar, which detects and measures surroundings with high precision. Aurora collaborates with logistics providers, ridesharing networks, and vehicle manufacturers to commercialize its technology, offering it as a service that includes ongoing support and updates. This collaborative approach, along with its rigorous safety culture, sets Aurora apart from competitors. The company's goal is to enhance safety, improve lives, and expand access to transportation through its autonomous solutions.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Mountain View, California

Founded

2017

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Aurora's launch of autonomous trucking in Texas positions it as a U.S. market leader.
  • Partnership with Nvidia enhances Aurora's technological capabilities and market competitiveness.
  • Arrowstreet Capital's investment indicates strong financial backing and growth potential.

What critics are saying

  • Legal challenges with USDOT could delay deployment and increase operational costs.
  • Rejection of alternative warning devices highlights potential regulatory hurdles for Aurora.
  • Intensifying competition in autonomous trucking could dilute Aurora's market share.

What makes Aurora Innovation unique

  • Aurora's FirstLight Lidar offers superior range and speed in detecting surroundings.
  • The Aurora Driver integrates software, hardware, and data services for autonomous vehicle operation.
  • Aurora's Safety Case Framework is inspired by aviation and nuclear industry protocols.

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Benefits

Medical, Vision, Life Insurance

Paid leave

Vacation, Holidays & Sick Time

LinkedIn Learning

Aurora Academy

401(k)

Commuter Benefits

Flexible Spending Account

Onsite Food

PerkSpot

Working from Home Support

Emotional & Physical Wellness

Employee Assistance Program

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
Electrive
May 9th, 2025
Aurora launches autonomous heavy goods vehicles in Texas

Aurora Innovation recently launched a regular transport service with self-driving articulated trucks on the north-south corridor between Houston and Dallas.

West Island Blog
May 2nd, 2025
Breakthrough or Breakdown? Aurora's Driverless Trucking Milestone Shadows Mysterious Moves and Market Turmoil

Aurora Innovation has officially launched the United States' first commercial, fully autonomous trucking service, fulfilling a promise that the company had deferred since its initial announcement for a 2024 launch date.

Men's Insider
May 1st, 2025
Aurora Unveils Commercial Self-Driving Truck Service in Texas

Aurora Innovation launches driverless truck service in Texas.

ETF Daily News
Apr 12th, 2025
Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership Makes New $1.36 Million Investment in Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ:AUR)

Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership makes new $1.36 million investment in Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ:AUR).

FreightWaves
Mar 27th, 2025
Aurora Unveils Safety Blueprint Ahead Of Driverless Truck Debut

Aurora Innovation, a frontrunner in autonomous trucking technology, recently released its Driverless Safety Report, laying out its road map for deploying its self-driving trucks on public highways. The 75-page document, published ahead of the company’s planned commercial launch in Texas, is part of Aurora’s efforts to finalize a safety framework for its Dallas-to-Houston freight lane. Aurora describes the closing of its safety case as a critical step toward rolling out driverless operations.The Pittsburgh-based company claims to be the first to have developed a Safety Case Framework applicable to both trucks and passenger vehicles, adding the approach has gained traction among other autonomous vehicle developers. The framework, inspired by safety protocols in aviation and nuclear industries, offers a structured argument – backed by data – that its trucks can operate safely under defined conditions.Aurora’s safety ethos shapes everything from product design to corporate strategy, says Chief Safety Officer Nat Beuse.“At Aurora, our philosophy isn’t just safety first – it’s safety always,” said Beuse. “Our safety approach spans both product and organization, and in this report, we’ve shared a behind-the-scenes look into our safety systems. With the launch of the Aurora Driver, the world will experience driverless trucks safely delivering freight on public roads for the first time.”The company’s methodology includes extensive hazard analysis, safety requirement development, and a blend of real-world and virtual testing