Director, Command Center

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all.  

Aurora is seeking a strategic and operationally grounded Director, Command Center Operations to lead and scale Command Center operations supporting Autonomous Vehicle Operations. This role is responsible for defining operational direction, strengthening organizational capability, and ensuring Command Center operations can safely and effectively support Aurora’s growing commercial network in a safety-critical environment.

The Director will oversee real-time operations, including fleet monitoring, dispatch coordination, incident management, and remote assistance supporting Aurora’s autonomous fleet. Operating at the intersection of human-in-the-loop autonomy, logistics, and real-time operations, this role will drive scalable operating models, cross-functional alignment, and continuous improvement initiatives that support safe on-road operations, customer experience, fleet optimization, and commercial performance.

This role partners closely with Product, Safety, Engineering, and Business leaders to align operational capabilities with Aurora’s evolving technology roadmap and long-term operational goals.

In this role, you will

• Lead and scale Command Center operations across multiple teams and operational functions supporting Autonomous Vehicle Operations.
• Define operational direction, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with Aurora’s commercial and operational objectives.
• Oversee real-time monitoring, dispatch coordination, remote assistance, and incident response operations supporting Aurora’s autonomous fleet.
• Shape scalable operating models, governance mechanisms, and escalation frameworks to support safe and efficient operations at scale.
• Oversee operational readiness, staffing strategy, and organizational planning to support current operations and future growth.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across Product, Safety, Engineering, and Operations to ensure Command Center capabilities evolve alongside Aurora’s technology and service needs.
• Serve as the operational voice for Command Center operations in cross-functional discussions related to autonomy behavior, safety oversight, and service recovery.
• Establish and monitor operational metrics, performance trends, and leading indicators to inform decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.
• Serve as the senior operational escalation point for complex incidents, operational disruptions, and cross-functional decision-making.
• Lead organizational development efforts across Command Center teams, including leadership capability, succession planning, and team effectiveness.
• Sponsor and oversee large-scale operational improvement initiatives, ensuring sustainable adoption and measurable outcomes.
• Represent Command Center Operations in leadership forums, influencing operational priorities, tradeoffs, and long-term planning discussions.
• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in operations, logistics, transportation, technology operations, or other high-tempo, safety-critical environments.
• 6+ years of leadership experience, including leading managers and multi-level operational organizations.
• Experience in risk management in a fast paced operational environment such as military operations, logistics management, NOCs, , and or mission-critical operational command centers.
• Demonstrated experience rapidly scaling organizations, systems, or programs in complex and dynamic environments.
• Experience operationalizing new technologies within logistics, transportation, or safety-critical operational environments.
• Proven ability to translate strategic priorities into scalable operational execution and organizational outcomes.
• Strong business acumen, including experience with operational planning, staffing strategy, and performance management.
• Exceptional judgment and decision-making skills in time-sensitive or high-pressure operational environments.
• Proven ability to influence and align cross-functional leaders, including executive stakeholders.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to synthesize operational insights into clear recommendations and tradeoffs.
• Experience leading incident response, operational escalation, and risk-based decision-making in safety-critical environments.
• Ability to support executive-level operational coverage and decision support for a 24/7 operational environment, as needed.

Desirable Qualifications 

• Experience in autonomous vehicle operations, aviation, logistics, transportation, military, or other safety-critical operational environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience leading multi-region or large-scale operational organizations.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational transformation, operational scaling, or cross-functional change initiatives.
• Deep understanding of operational readiness, incident management, and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma).
• Experience developing senior operational leaders and building long-term leadership succession pipelines.

The base salary range for this position is $189,000 - $246,000.  Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.