Autonomous Vehicle Test Technician Rivers Agile is a deep tech consulting firm specializing in custom solutions across various industries. Founded in 2008 as a quality assurance consultancy, we have expanded our expertise to include autonomous solutions, Agentive AI, and XR research. Our strong foundation in quality assurance ensures efficient, agile software development while aligning every solution with business goals. Our collaborative team of software engineers, QA engineers, and project managers partners closely with clients to tackle complex challenges. We seek engineers who are lifelong learners, passionate about their craft, and defined by their unique personality, experience, and style.
Location: This is primarily an onsite position in the northern Pittsburgh metro area. Candidates must be local or willing to relocate. About the Role
This role focuses on testing and validating autonomous vehicle and warehouse automation systems operating in realistic environments. You will work directly with AGVs, industrial sensors, wireless systems, and integrated hardware/software platforms to identify issues, validate behavior, and help engineering teams improve overall system reliability.
This is not a purely procedural testing role. While structured test execution is important, strong candidates also think critically, investigate unexpected behavior, explore edge cases, and help uncover difficult real-world issues that may not appear under ideal conditions.
The work often involves repetitive and long-duration testing where subtle behavioral changes, intermittent failures, environmental conditions, or gradual instability may reveal deeper system problems.
What You'll Do
Execute structured, exploratory, and long-duration testing of autonomous vehicle systems in warehouse environments
Operate and observe AGVs during realistic workflows and operational scenarios
Validate pallet handling, positioning, navigation, sensor behavior, and vehicle interactions
Develop and execute edge-case and non-ideal test scenarios intended to challenge system assumptions
Observe for intermittent failures, degraded behavior, instability, communication problems, and unexpected system responses
Capture detailed observations, logs, timestamps, environmental conditions, screenshots, videos, and reproduction steps
Communicate findings clearly to software, robotics, and engineering teams
Help isolate issues involving sensors, wireless communication, industrial networking, vehicle controls, or integrated software systems
Perform repetitive cycle testing and reliability validation to identify issues that may only appear after extended runtime
Assist with troubleshooting integrated hardware/software systems operating in active warehouse environments
Follow safety procedures while working around autonomous equipment and industrial systems
Collaborate with engineers, QA teams, and operations personnel to reproduce and investigate difficult issues
Types of Systems You May Work With
Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
Industrial sensors and vision systems
Warehouse automation systems
Embedded PC-connected equipment
Fleet management and monitoring software
Integrated robotics and automation platforms
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role
Strong candidates for this role tend to:
Notice subtle behavioral changes others may miss
Stay focused and methodical during repetitive or long-duration testing
Naturally investigate unexpected system behavior and ask “why”
Think critically about edge cases and real-world operating conditions
Communicate technical observations clearly and accurately
Enjoy troubleshooting integrated hardware/software systems
Remain calm and analytical when issues are ambiguous or difficult to reproduce
Take ownership of gathering useful diagnostic information instead of simply reporting failures
Preferred Experience
We do not expect candidates to have experience with every system listed below. We are more interested in troubleshooting mindset, technical curiosity, observational ability, and willingness to learn.
Helpful backgrounds may include:
Software QA or systems testing
Robotics or warehouse automation
Industrial maintenance or controls
AGVs, PLCs, SCADA systems, CNC systems, or industrial equipment
Hardware/software integration testing
Reliability testing or endurance testing
IT troubleshooting or networking
Wireless communication troubleshooting
Automotive diagnostics or field service work
Manufacturing or industrial operations
Technical Skills That May Be Helpful
Reading logs or dashboards
Basic command line usage
Understanding sensors and industrial communication systems
Troubleshooting Ethernet, serial, or wireless connectivity issues
Identifying patterns in intermittent or non-deterministic failures
Writing clear bug reports and reproduction steps
Capturing screenshots, videos, or diagnostic data during testing
Work Environment
Primarily onsite in the northern Pittsburgh metro area
Warehouse and industrial environments
May involve shift-based work depending on testing schedules
Combination of hands-on vehicle interaction and computer-based investigation/documentation
Some testing may involve repetitive workflows or extended-duration validation sessions
Why This Role Is Different
Many testing roles focus primarily on executing predefined scripts. This role is more investigative and systems-oriented. The most successful people in this position enjoy understanding how complex systems behave under real-world conditions and helping engineering teams uncover issues that are difficult to reproduce. If you enjoy troubleshooting, observing system behavior, asking questions, and digging into complex technical problems, this role may be a strong fit.
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