Primary PurposeThe 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 a Senior AV Test Engineer leading Commercialization Release, you will take primary technical ownership of end-to-end release readiness, release risk assessments, and deployment verification for commercial AV software builds and feature releases across virtual, closed-course, and public road environments.
In this role, you will act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to influence product architecture early (Shift-Left), establish hard release quality gates in CI/CD pipelines, lead systemic Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for complex failures, and drive cross-functional sign-off governance across Software, Safety, Systems, and Fleet Operations. You will also mentor junior engineers and design formal test frameworks and SOPs that scale test operations for commercial deployment.
Essential Duties- Commercialization & Release Governance: Own the commercialization release candidate validation lifecycle; define, enforce, and maintain release readiness criteria, entry/exit gates, and safety verification protocols for commercial fleet deployments.
- System Integration & Commercial Bundle Validation: Own integration and validation of the commercial software release bundle-passenger displays, Uber API, command center (fleet monitoring), and associated software components-ensuring interface compatibility, end-to-end workflows, and release-candidate readiness for commercial fleet deployment.
- Quality Gate Implementation: Design, deploy, and enforce automated quality gates within CI/CD and testing pipelines to measurably prevent critical software and hardware bugs from reaching pre-production or deployment builds.
- Technical Leadership & Validation: Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of validation testing across simulation, SIL, HIL, and on-vehicle environments, with a focus on end-to-end performance across perception, planning, and control subsystems.
- Systemic RCA & Defect Prevention: Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for complex or systemic platform failures; drive permanent architectural, code, or operational changes across cross-functional teams to prevent issue recurrence.
- Architectural Influence (Shift-Left): Serve as the Testing SME in cross-functional design reviews with Development, Systems, and Product teams, embedding testability and safety verification requirements into early feature architecture.
- Test Infrastructure & Automation: Design, build, and maintain scalable test frameworks and automation tools using Python, Shell, and scenario-based simulation platforms (e.g., Applied Intuition) to increase test coverage and reduce validation cycle times.
- Process Efficiency: Continuously identify and resolve bottlenecks in test execution, data parsing, and fault triage workflows to accelerate release velocity without compromising safety or reliability standards.
- Inter-Team Coordination & Alignment: Act as the primary technical point of contact for software release synchronization, aligning testing schedules, dependency tracking, and risk trade-offs with Safety, Systems, Software, and Fleet Operations.
- Formal Mentorship & Training: Mentor junior and mid-level test engineers; create and deliver formal training programs, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and documentation to standardize technical testing practices.
- Compliance & Traceability: Ensure testing procedures and verification evidence comply with industry safety standards (ISO 26262, ISO 21448 / SOTIF, UL 4600, ISO 9001) using Jira, GitLab, and Confluence for full traceability.
- Field Support: Support after-hours testing, urgent release deployment verification, or incident triage as required by commercial fleet operations. Travel domestically on occasion to support on-site testing and track deployments.
Qualifications- Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field (Master's preferred).
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in software QA, systems testing, or release engineering within AV, ADAS, robotics, or safety-critical automotive systems.
- Commercialization & Release Expertise:
- Proven track record leading software/systems release sign-off and defining release readiness frameworks for commercial-grade safety-critical products.
- Hands-on experience establishing automated release gates, CI/CD verification workflows, and release risk management strategies.
- Technical & Domain Skills:
- Advanced proficiency in Linux environments and scripting/programming languages (Python, Bash/Shell, C++).
- Deep experience in end-to-end testing across SIL, HIL, simulation (e.g., Applied Intuition, CARLA, IPG Carmaker), and track/on-vehicle environments.
- Working knowledge of ISO 26262, ISO 21448 (SOTIF), UL 4600 and AV safety case development workflows.
- Leadership & Problem Solving:
- Strong technical leadership skills with a proven track record of mentoring junior engineers and influencing cross-functional technical decisions.
- Superior analytical skills in systemic RCA, log parsing, and root-cause determination across complex hardware-software interactions.
Physical DemandsWhile 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.
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
$125,000-$167,000 USD
