Senior Staff TLM, Hardware Test Infrastructure

What we are looking for

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all.

The Senior Staff Technical Lead Manager (TLM) for Hardware Test Infrastructure leads the end-to-end reliability test execution for Aurora’s autonomous vehicle hardware kit. This position oversees four internal labs across two sites, directs external lab testing, and manages a team of engineers, technicians, and contractors. The core focus is ensuring that all autonomous system hardware components meet rigorous automotive standards for performance, durability, and safety under challenging field conditions.

In this role you will

• Leadership & People Management: Direct a team of engineers, technicians, and contractors across multiple shifts, managing daily lab operations and team performance.
• Test Execution & Lab Management: Oversee hardware reliability testing (10+ modules) and optimize operations of 4 internal labs across 2 physical sites, as well as third-party testing facilities.
• Process & Safety Standardization: Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, equipment calibration, and maintenance schedules to maximize test uptime.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with facilities, supply chain, purchasing, and hardware design teams to align on capacity planning, test rack design, and component procurement.
• Root Cause Analysis: Support Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) processes for component failures during testing.

Required qualifications

• Strong understanding of hardware design principles, reliability testing methodologies (e.g., HALT/HASS, vibration, thermal cycling, humidity), and failure analysis techniques.
• Deep hands on experience with automated test equipment design, test equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, purchasing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with managing people and lab management.

Desirable qualifications

• Knowledge of automotive safety standards and regulations (e.g., ISO 26262, ISO 16750)
• Experience with automotive electronics/ECU or compute hardware (thermal, power, connector reliability)
• Experience working with external reliability / environmental labs in the bay area and outside.

Pay and benefits

The base salary range for this position is $189,000 - $274,000 per year. Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together - all without any jerks.

We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy, and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, Aurorans are expected to work from the office at least 3 days per week, with some roles requiring more frequent in-office presence, up to 5 days per week, based on operational needs.

Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.

Our commitment to inclusion

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