Project Manager - Vehicle Durability / Field Operational Test (Autonomous Vehicle Testing)

Location: Corona, California, USA; field testing across multiple locations in the United States. The role requires travel across the U.S. for up to 30–40% of the time, outdoor test support, extended hours, weekends, and a Monday-to-Saturday schedule.

Salary: USD 120,000–160,000 yearly

Company

Applus+ IDIADA provides automotive design, engineering, testing, and homologation services through an international network supporting vehicle development.

What you will do

• Lead a large-scale autonomous vehicle field operational test program across multiple U.S. locations.
• Coordinate multi-site teams, test preparation, vehicle fleet operations, route planning, and field execution.
• Oversee testing of vehicles equipped with advanced sensor systems for data collection.
• Manage project deliverables, budgets, timelines, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as the primary client contact and maintain relationships with clients and senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate distributed operations with international IDIADA teams and business units.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of project management experience, preferably in automotive, technology, or field operations.
• Experience with ADAS or autonomous vehicle testing and preferably public-road durability or automotive testing programs.
• Experience managing multi-site operations and distributed teams, including teams of 20 or more people.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, stakeholder management, budget management, and risk management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license required; ability to travel across the U.S. and support outdoor testing is required.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• PMP certification or equivalent.
• Lean Six Sigma or similar process improvement certification.
• Experience with international teams and clients.
• Strong financial oversight and P&L management experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Work with automotive engineering specialists on future mobility, safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Opportunity for internal and cross-functional mobility across international teams and business units.
• Dynamic environment focused on innovation and continuous technical development.
• Employment with a TOP Employer certified company.