Operations Lead - SDS Trucking

Operations Lead - SDS Trucking

Applied Intuition is the vehicle intelligence company that accelerates the global adoption of safe, AI-driven machines. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion following its recent Series F funding round, Applied Intuition delivers the Vehicle OS, Self-Driving System, and toolchain to help customers build intelligent vehicles and shorten time to market. 18 of the top 20 global automakers and major programs across the Department of Defense trust Applied Intuition's solutions to deliver vehicle intelligence. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining, and agriculture industries and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Diego, CA, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Ann Arbor, MI, London, Stuttgart, Munich, Stockholm, Bangalore, Seoul, and Tokyo.

About the Role

Applied Intuition is seeking an Operations Lead, SDS Trucking to bring our SDS on-road commercial trucking platform into real-world operation. In this role, you will own the end-to-end operational execution of SDS-enabled trucking programs, from site and fleet readiness to vehicle integration, on-road testing, validation, and ongoing operational feedback.

You will be responsible for translating advanced autonomy and ADAS capabilities into safe, compliant, and scalable commercial truck operations, working closely with OEM partners, regulators, and Applied's engineering teams. This role sits at the intersection of technology, safety, fleet operations, and customer delivery, and is critical to enabling customers to progress from development testing toward sustained on-road commercial deployment.

At Applied You Will:

• Lead SDS Trucking Deployments. Own operational readiness for SDS on-road trucking programs, including vehicle build readiness, instrumentation, fleet configuration, site setup, and daily execution across customer programs.
• Operationalize On-Road Validation. Define and run real-world testing and validation workflows for commercial trucks, including route planning, mileage targets, operational KPIs, data quality standards, and feedback loops to engineering and product teams.
• Drive OEM and Partner Execution. Serve as the primary operational interface with truck OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, test partners, and internal stakeholders to align timelines, scope, and execution against program milestones.
• Ensure Safety and Regulatory Compliance. Implement and enforce safety processes, driver/operator procedures, and incident response frameworks appropriate for on-road commercial trucking, ensuring alignment with regulatory, customer, and internal requirements.
• Scale Global Trucking Operations. Build repeatable, scalable playbooks for SDS trucking operations that can be deployed across regions, vehicle platforms, and customer programs, accounting for local regulations, infrastructure, and operational constraints.

We're Looking For Someone Who Has:

• Commercial Vehicle or Autonomy Program Experience. Hands-on experience leading on-road testing or deployment programs for commercial vehicles, ADAS, or autonomy, ideally involving heavy-duty trucks or complex fleet operations.
• Operational Leadership. Proven ability to stand up, scale, and manage multi-site operational programs, balancing safety, speed, cost, and technical rigor in high-stakes environments.
• Technical and Operational Fluency. Comfort working with autonomy and ADAS systems, understanding how software, hardware, vehicles, and operations come together to enable safe on-road execution.
• Cross-Functional Leadership. Strong communicator and decision-maker who can align engineering, product, safety, legal, OEM partners, and operations teams toward shared outcomes.
• Safety-First Mindset. Demonstrated experience building and enforcing safety processes for on-road operations, including driver procedures, incident management, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Have:

• Experience with autonomous or SDS-enabled commercial trucking programs.
• Background working directly with truck OEMs, commercial fleet operators, or Tier-1 suppliers.
• Familiarity with on-road validation strategies, simulation-to-road workflows, or fleet telemetry.
• Understanding of functional safety, regulatory frameworks, and permitting for on-road commercial vehicles.
• Experience scaling vehicle programs across multiple countries or regulatory environments.

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

The base salary range for this full-time position in the location listed is: $160,000 - $215,000 USD annually.