Operations Coordinator

Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced Operations Coordinator to oversee operations, personnel, and testing execution. In this role, you will lead a dedicated team of vehicle operators and safety drivers. You will be responsible for local operational planning, facility management, safety protocol enforcement, fleet availability, and driver efficiency to drive our autonomous technology forward safely and effectively. You’ll also work with hardware and software engineering teams as needed to help achieve strategic goals.

Responsibilities
Operational & Team Leadership

• Lead, direct, and mentor a team of vehicle operators and safety drivers, managing daily shift operations and shift handover procedures.
• Coordinate team schedules, route assignments, and vehicle allocations to optimize driver utilization and mission coverage based on engineering test plans.
• Prepare training materials, conduct onboarding programs, and continuously evaluate vehicle operator performance and driving standards.
• Act as the primary escalation point for on-site personnel, resolving driver relations issues, maintaining morale, and fostering a safety-first work environment.

Testing Execution & Fleet Operations

• Oversee public road testing test execution to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures and safety protocols.
• Oversee pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections for functionality, safety compliance, and physical maintenance.
• Perform and guide initial troubleshooting, issue escalation, and software/hardware updates on test vehicles.
• Supervise the daily end-of-shift data offloading process from vehicles to local edge hardware and cloud servers.

Data Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Define, track, and analyze key operational performance metrics such as total test miles, driver uptime, vehicle availability, and disengagement tracking.
• Drive process improvements across testing procedures, safety protocols, and operational workflows.

Facility & Safety Management 

• Maintain site infrastructure, tooling, and test equipment to ensure a clean, safe, and efficient facility.
• Enforce compliance with local, state, and federal transport regulations and internal safety standards

Qualifications

Experience

• 3 years of supervisory or team lead experience in autonomous vehicle operations, automotive proving grounds, robotics testing, or complex fleet management.
• Strong background in executing structured test suites, software deployment processes, and hardware integration workflows.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with issue-tracking and project management suites (e.g., Jira, Confluence/Atlassian).
• Hands-on familiarity with Linux/Unix navigation, software flashing, and basic vehicle electrical/hardware diagnostics.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides) or equivalent enterprise productivity suites.

Physical & Schedule Requirements

• Ability to work flexible shifts, including morning, evening, or weekend coverage, as test schedules demand.
• Ability to travel up to 20% to support off-site testing campaigns or secondary test facilities.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and remain active across a test track or shop floor environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating or managing Level 4/Level 5 autonomous driving systems

Established in 1953, Kett Engineering is a leader in the Automotive Test and Personnel Services industry. Our goal is to provide our Automotive and OEM customers with superior service.

The strength and success of Kett clearly comes from the people behind the organization. Our workforce is comprised of dedicated, talented and hard working individuals with years of industry experience.

If you have an interest in automotive technology industry, a passion for excellence and a desire to exceed expectations then, we want you on are our team!