SDS Specialist - Autonomous Vehicle Diagnostics & Calibration
About the Role
We are looking for a Self-Driving Systems Specialist (SDS Specialist) to support the diagnostics, calibration, configuration, and technical readiness of self-driving systems used in autonomous vehicles and robotaxi fleets across Europe.
The SDS Specialist focuses on the technology layer of autonomous mobility: sensors, compute systems, software configurations, autonomous driving hardware, system diagnostics, calibration procedures, and technical validation. This role ensures that the self-driving system installed in each autonomous vehicle is functioning correctly, accurately calibrated, and ready to support safe testing, commercial deployment, and autonomous ride-hailing operations.
You will work closely with Senior Technicians, AV Operations Leads, Safety Operators, Depot Specialists, engineering teams, and fleet operations teams to identify technical issues, execute structured troubleshooting procedures, and support reliable operation of autonomous vehicle platforms.
This position is ideal for candidates with experience in automotive electronics, ADAS systems, embedded systems, robotics, diagnostics, calibration, or complex technical support who want to work at the center of autonomous vehicle deployment and robotaxi operations.
Key Responsibilities
Self-Driving System Diagnostics
- Diagnose and troubleshoot self-driving system issues affecting autonomous vehicle performance and fleet readiness.
- Investigate technical problems related to cameras, LiDAR, radar, GPS/GNSS, compute units, sensors, connectivity modules, wiring, and autonomous driving hardware.
- Execute structured diagnostic procedures to identify root causes of SDS hardware, software, and configuration issues.
- Support advanced troubleshooting for autonomous vehicle faults that impact testing, commercial operations, or robotaxi fleet availability.
- Escalate complex technical cases to engineering teams with clear findings and supporting documentation.
Hardware Support
- Inspect, repair, replace, and validate SDS hardware components installed on autonomous vehicles.
- Support installation and verification of cameras, LiDAR units, radar sensors, compute hardware, sensor mounts, antennas, and related components.
- Confirm that autonomous driving hardware is correctly installed, secured, clean, functional, and ready for operation.
- Collaborate with Senior Technicians on vehicle-level issues involving both standard automotive systems and SDS components.
- Ensure all hardware work is completed according to strict safety, quality, and technical procedures.
Software Configuration & Updates
- Perform software updates, configuration changes, and system validation checks for autonomous driving systems.
- Execute defined software procedures using diagnostic tools, command-line tools, configuration files, or engineering-provided workflows.
- Verify successful software installation and confirm that the SDS is operational before the vehicle returns to service.
- Support troubleshooting of software-related issues affecting autonomous vehicle behavior, system communication, or operational readiness.
- Maintain accurate records of software versions, configurations, updates, and validation results.
Sensor Calibration & Validation
- Perform calibration and verification activities for autonomous vehicle sensors and self-driving system components.
- Support calibration workflows involving cameras, LiDAR, radar, localization systems, and other perception-related hardware.
- Validate that the self-driving system is functioning correctly after maintenance, software updates, hardware replacement, or vehicle service.
- Assist engineering teams with data collection, calibration testing, and system performance verification.
- Ensure autonomous vehicles meet technical readiness requirements before returning to robotaxi operations or on-road testing.
Engineering & Operations Support
- Serve as the on-site subject matter expert for SDS-related technical issues.
- Provide structured technical findings to engineering, fleet operations, and project teams.
- Collaborate with AV Operations Leads to prioritize SDS-related repairs and reduce vehicle downtime.
- Support incident reviews, root-cause analysis, and technical escalation processes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of troubleshooting workflows, calibration procedures, and operational documentation.
Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain accurate records of diagnostics, repairs, software updates, hardware changes, and calibration activities.
- Follow strict operational, safety, and technical procedures when working with autonomous driving systems.
- Complete all required system validation checklists and technical reports.
- Support compliance with internal quality standards, safety protocols, and customer requirements.
- Ensure all SDS-related work is traceable, repeatable, and properly documented.
Requirements
Essential
- Minimum 3+ years of experience in automotive electronics, diagnostics, embedded systems, robotics, technical support, or complex technical systems.
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
- Experience working with vehicle electronics, sensors, control systems, or advanced technical hardware.
- Comfortable following structured software procedures and technical workflows.
- Ability to work with diagnostic tools, logs, technical documentation, and engineering instructions.
- High attention to detail and strong procedural discipline.
- Good communication skills and ability to work with cross-functional technical teams.
- Fluent English.
Strongly Preferred
- Experience with ADAS, autonomous vehicles, robotics, sensor systems, or advanced driver assistance technologies.
- Familiarity with LiDAR, radar, camera systems, GNSS, IMU, compute units, or perception-related hardware.
- Experience with Linux, command-line tools, CAN bus, vehicle networks, or embedded systems.
- Experience performing calibration, validation, or system integration activities.
- Background in automotive testing, AV operations, robotics labs, fleet diagnostics, or technical field support.
- German, French, Spanish, Dutch, or other European languages depending on project location.
What We Are Looking For
Successful SDS Specialists are precise, structured, and technically curious. They enjoy solving complex system problems and understand that reliable self-driving system performance is essential for safe autonomous vehicle operations, commercial robotaxi services, and fleet scaling.
This role requires someone who can work carefully with advanced hardware and software, follow engineering procedures exactly, and communicate findings clearly to both technical and operational teams. You should be comfortable working in a depot or technical operations environment where autonomous vehicles must be diagnosed, validated, and returned to service quickly and safely.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work directly with self-driving systems, autonomous driving hardware, and advanced vehicle technologies.
- Hands-on involvement in robotaxi fleet operations, autonomous vehicle testing, and autonomous ride-hailing deployment across Europe.
- Exposure to robotics, ADAS, sensor calibration, embedded systems, EV platforms, and next-generation mobility technologies.
- Structured onboarding, technical procedures, and ongoing training.
- Career development opportunities in autonomous vehicle operations, AV diagnostics, robotics, and technical fleet support.
- Collaboration with engineering, operations, depot, technician, and safety teams.
- Opportunity to support new city launches, fleet scaling, and commercial autonomous mobility programs.
