Autonomous Vehicle Safety Driver

VW. Two letters. Endless opportunities. A bright future.

Innovation. Sophistication. Optimization. This is our Passion.

Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of dramatic innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN. Here in the US, we are blending German engineering with American ingenuity.

As ADMT, we develop and realize fully autonomous mobility and transportation services. Our mission is to make mobility-and transportation-as-a-service safe, accessible and most attractive for society. For that, we cover the entire ground from strategy and business development, software development and end-2-end integration, fleet operations to next-generation self-driving systems. Being the driver in Volkswagen Group initiative for mobility solutions, we’re an integral part of Volkswagen Group's future success.

An AVSD (Autonomous Vehicle Safety Driver) is responsible for operating autonomous vehicles on public roads in Self-Driving mode and in manual mode to enable the continuation of testing, monitoring, and development of the AVS (autonomous vehicle system) and to give feedback to the software development teams on disengagements of the system and the connected situation via voice recording while driving.
The AVSD has the task and responsibility to continuously monitor the traffic, road and environmental & system status to be able to promptly evaluate the situation and react and to disengage the self-driving system to bring the vehicle in a safe mode and drive it manually. The role is highly safety relevant as the AVSD is responsible for the safe operation of a Self-Driving vehicle. Prior to operating an AV, all safety drivers will undergo a rigorous training program which teaches them about the specific components within the vehicle itself, the underlying technology, and safe driving techniques which are exercised on public roads daily. After successfully completing training, AVSDs will have the skills required to begin operating on public roads. As the Safety Driver you will be responsible for the safe and compliant operation of the AVS on both a manual and autonomous basis. This role collaborates with both Fleet Operations Managers, as well as Test Engineers, to continuously improve autonomous driving performance based on your feedback.

In Vehicle Driving - 80% of time

• Safely operate an AV (Autonomous Vehicle) through diverse traffic conditions for an extended period of time. This includes the operation in Self-Driving mode and in manual mode - this is a role where you will spend a majority of your time in the car.
• While in the car, you will perform a range of tests of our technology, including specific software, hardware, interfaces, and instrumentation
• Ability to continuously evaluate the traffic/road/system situation and react to disengage the self-driving system to bring the vehicle in a safe mode and drive it manually. The role is highly safety relevant as the AVSD is responsible for the safe operation of a Self-Driving vehicle
• Ability to monitor the vehicle movements and provide detailed feedback daily
• Proactively monitor the software performance from a proprietary Graphical User Interface (GUI) tablet integrated with the AVS (Autonomous Vehicle System)
• Record disengagement and connected situation via voice recording
• Monitors testing equipment, devices and software to ensure these meet all aspects of testing and reporting requirements.
• Perform pre/post-mission tasks such as startup procedures and vehicle inspections
• Daily cleaning of vehicle and maintain a clean, neat and orderly vehicle
• Identifies and addresses potential safety risks and abides by, promotes and acknowledges all safety practices aimed at maintain high safety standards.

Training and Continued Education - 10% of time

• Undergo a detailed training program that educates and establishes expectations for manual driving fundamentals in autonomous vehicle operation
• Participate in continuing education opportunities as VW Group of America’s autonomous driving processes and practices evolve to account for continuing technological changes and development

Software Feedback - 10% of time

• Brief and de-brief of driving behavior to the Autonomous Vehicle and related testing responsibilities.
• Deliver clear and concise communications when evaluating AVS performance, documenting both its strengths and areas for improvement, all of which enables VW Group of America’s engineers and developers to continuously improve the autonomous driving software

• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on safety, honesty, and a strict adherence to Volkswagen Group of America’s policies and procedures
• Ability to monitor software via laptop in a moving vehicle and communicate in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to anticipate critical traffic, system and road situation to be able to disengage the self-driving system and safely operate the vehicle manually
• Self-motivation for independent troubleshooting work in vehicle