Mission Support Manager

Mission Summary:

The Mission Support Manager is responsible for leading and scaling Motional's Mission Support organization to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable execution of fleet readiness and field support operations. Reporting to the Director of Test Operations, this role serves as the strategic and operational leader for Mission Support functions, overseeing frontline supervisors and specialists while driving operational excellence, workforce planning, and cross-functional execution. The Mission Support Manager is accountable for developing and executing strategies that maximize fleet availability and mission readiness through effective management of vehicle bring-up and shutdown activities, platform safety checks, charging operations, vehicle troubleshooting, software deployment support, and field recovery activities. This role oversees Fleet Management functions, Calibration operations, Test Operations, and also partners with Engineering and Infrastructure teams to deliver fleet readiness objectives, improve operational processes, and ensure service levels consistently meet business requirements. The Mission Support Manager is a highly effective people leader with strong operational acumen who can balance tactical execution with strategic planning while thriving in a dynamic and rapidly evolving autonomous vehicle environment.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead and develop the Mission Support organization, including Mission Support Supervisors and Specialists, by providing coaching, performance management, career development, and succession planning.
• Establish and execute operational strategies that ensure fleet readiness, vehicle availability, and mission execution objectives are consistently achieved.
• Own and manage fleet readiness performance metrics, including vehicle uptime, mission-ready percentages, charging compliance, field recovery response times, and operational efficiency targets.
• Oversee daily fleet support activities, including vehicle inspections, platform bring-up and shutdown procedures, software updates, charging operations, troubleshooting, and non-nominal vehicle recovery activities.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and standardized execution of all Mission Support procedures across shifts and operating locations.
• Develop staffing models, scheduling strategies, and resource allocation plans that effectively support business growth, surge operations, and commercialization activities.
• Serve as the operational escalation point for fleet readiness disruptions, complex vehicle events, and cross-functional execution challenges.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to improve operational reliability, fleet availability, and service delivery.
• Lead Fleet Management, Calibration, and Test Operations teams to identify operational risks, prioritize initiatives, and optimize fleet performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by developing and implementing scalable processes, tools, workflows, and operating procedures.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability mechanisms that promote operational excellence, ownership, and proactive problem-solving behaviors throughout the organization.
• Develop and maintain operational reporting and business review mechanisms to provide leadership visibility into fleet readiness, performance trends, and organizational health.
• Lead cross-functional projects supporting fleet expansion, launch readiness activities, process optimization, and operational scalability initiatives.
• Manage departmental operating budgets, resource planning activities, inventory requirements, and expense reporting processes.
• Ensure accurate documentation of operational activities, incidents, maintenance events, and fleet readiness metrics.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks while ensuring compliance with all company policies, safety standards, and applicable local, county, and state regulations.
• Foster a culture centered on safety, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer experience.
• Demonstrate flexibility in work schedules and provide leadership support during extended hours, weekends, and high-priority operational events as required.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in fleet operations, transportation operations, autonomous vehicle operations, logistics, automotive operations, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience leading frontline supervisors, operational teams, or cross-functional programs.
• Basic working knowledge of Autonomous Vehicle technology.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams in fast-paced, highly dynamic, and operationally complex environments.
• Strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems, perform root cause analysis, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Strong data-driven decision-making and business acumen.
• Proven experience managing multiple priorities and balancing strategic planning with tactical execution.
• Highly organized, efficient, and process-oriented.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Valid driver's license required.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and G Suite applications.
• Familiarity with Jira and other operational workflow management tools.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Operations Management, Business Management, or equivalent experience.
• Prior leadership experience within autonomous vehicle operations, mobility services, transportation operations, fleet operations, or logistics organizations.
• Experience managing managers or multiple operational teams across shifts and locations.
• Experience building operational processes and scaling teams in startup or high-growth environments.
• Demonstrated experience with working knowledge in a Linux environment.
• Experience with NHTSA Levels 2-5 Autonomous Vehicles preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or other operational excellence certifications preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives, organizational change management, and commercialization readiness activities.
  
  

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and frequently walk for long periods. The employee is occasionally required to crouch, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Working Environment:

This role requires the ability to interface with both office and field environments. While primarily office-based, the Mission Support Specialist will be present at test facilities, requiring the ability to safely operate and ride in autonomous vehicles, oversee vehicle inspections, and engage in field operations as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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