Validation Driver

About the Role
As a Validation Driver, you are the certified human safety operator on board the company's AV's autonomous vehicles during the pilot phase. You do not drive the vehicle in the traditional sense. The AV system drives itself. Your job is to monitor the system in real time, communicate clearly with the Remote Operations Centre, log every event accurately, and take manual control the moment the situation requires it.
This is a safety-critical, technology-facing role. You will work alongside the engineering team and the Validation Trainer, following structured validation protocols and contributing to the data that shapes how the AV system improves. You need to be calm under pressure, precise in your documentation, fluent in English, and comfortable with digital tools and onboard software systems.

What You’ll be Doing

In-Vehicle Safety Monitoring

• Occupy the driver seat during all autonomous vehicle operations and maintain continuous situational awareness at all times
• Monitor the AV system's driving behavior, sensor alerts, and onboard displays throughout every shift
• Take immediate manual control of the vehicle if the system requests intervention or if you assess that a safety situation requires it
• Communicate in real time with the Remote Operations Centre (ROC) using onboard communication tools, providing clear and accurate status updates in English
• Follow all pre-trip, in-trip, and post-trip safety checklists without exception

Route Validation and Scenario Logging

• Complete defined validation routes in Dubai as directed by the Validation Trainer and the engineering team
• Log all system events, interventions, anomalies, and environmental observations accurately using onboard and digital logging tools
• Record takeover events with precise detail (trigger, location, speed, context, and outcome) using the prescribed format
• Photograph and document any road conditions, signage anomalies, or infrastructure changes that may affect AV performance
• Submit all shift logs and incident reports before end of shift, with no gaps or incomplete entries

Digital Reporting and Communication

• Use the onboard interface and fleet management systems to complete digital shift reports and vehicle status logs
• Communicate all findings in written English clearly enough for engineering teams to act on without follow-up clarification
• Flag concerns, near-misses, and system behaviors that feel unusual, even if no intervention was required, through the correct escalation channel
• Participate in daily debriefs with the Validation Trainer and contribute accurate shift summaries verbally and in writing

Vehicle Readiness

• Conduct a thorough pre-trip physical inspection of the vehicle including sensor hardware, lights, tyres, and mirrors before every shift
• Report any physical damage, sensor misalignment, or equipment fault immediately to the Validation Trainer before the vehicle moves
• Ensure the vehicle is clean, charged or fuelled to standard, and correctly equipped before departure
• Complete post-trip vehicle checks and park the vehicle correctly at the depot at the end of every shift

What You will need for this position

• Valid UAE driving license with a clean record and no major violations in the past three years
• Minimum 3 years of active driving experience in the UAE or GCC, with strong familiarity with Dubai roads and traffic conditions
• Professional-level English: you must be able to read, write, and speak English clearly enough to communicate with engineers, write incident reports, and operate digital systems without assistance
• Comfortable with technology: able to operate tablets, touchscreens, and onboard software systems confidently. Previous experience with fleet apps, delivery platforms, or any work-based digital tool is an advantage
• Calm and composed under pressure. The ability to make a rapid, correct decision in an unexpected situation is the most important quality this role demands
• High attention to detail: precise, consistent, and thorough in checklists, logs, and verbal reporting
• RTA safety driver certification or AV/ADAS vehicle experience is a strong advantage. Training will be provided for the right candidate
• Secondary school certificate minimum; a technical diploma or any qualification in automotive, engineering, or IT is an advantage
• Willingness to work shift patterns including early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required by the pilot programmed schedule

Key Metrics

• Every shift starts on time with a vehicle that has passed a complete pre-trip inspection
• All events, interventions, and observations are logged accurately before the shift ends, with no gaps or guesswork
• The engineering team can act directly on your reports without needing to ask for clarification
• You take manual control at exactly the right moment, not too early and not too late, and the handover is smooth every time
• Passengers and road users around the vehicle are safe on every route you complete

Who You'll Be Working with:
Directly reporting to our Validation Trainer, and closely working with our Operations Team.

About the team
Our team is collaborative, positive, curious, and engaged. We think fast, work smart, laugh often, and are looking for like-minded people to join us in our mission to disrupt vehicle ownership and make financial freedom within reach.
The company is strongly committed to diversity within its community. The company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we welcome people from all backgrounds who seek the opportunity to help build a future where everyone and everything can move independently.