Shift Lead

Before the detail, here's the challenge you'd help us solve. We build the embodied intelligence that moves real vehicles safely, and the ecosystem a billion machines will run on in the future. Very few people in AI can say this. Every role here, whatever the team, plugs into that. Here’s what this particular role covers. 🛠️ About our Fleet Operations Team Our Fleet Operations Team is responsible for maintaining the safety, performance, and operational readiness of Wayve's autonomous vehicle fleet — from routine servicing and diagnostics to urgent repairs and vehicle readiness for high-visibility events. The team keeps our fleet in peak condition to support testing, demonstrations, and real-world deployment, working closely with engineering, drivers, and operations teams to keep autonomy moving forward, every single day.   🧠 Your day-to-day Shift Leads are frontline operational leaders responsible for the safe, efficient, and high-performing execution of Wayve’s autonomous driving operations in Japan. You’ll ensure daily operations are conducted with the highest levels of safety and efficiency, and play a crucial role in fostering an inclusive working environment where Vehicle Safety Operators (VSOs) feel their ideas are valued and can voice safety concerns without fear. You’ll work directly within a cutting-edge autonomous vehicle testing environment, partnering with engineering, fleet operations, and automotive stakeholders to support real-world AI development. We currently have two operational sites in Japan for on-road testing and development: one in Yokohama and one at Tokyo Ryutsu Centre, near Haneda Airport. This role will be mainly based in Tokyo Ryutsu Center, with occasional visits to Yokohama, offering exposure to a wide range of testing and operational activities. This is a dedicated shift role with two shifts: morning (06:30–15:30) and night (14:30–23:30). We’ll do our best to accommodate your shift preferences, but we can’t always guarantee your first choice. Flexibility outside standard hours may occasionally be required to support testing activities, customer operations, or critical operational events. As Wayve scales in Japan, the role offers a pathway into broader operations, program management, and leadership responsibilities. Operations run 7 days a week, so depending on your shift, you may need to work weekends and holidays. To compensate, we provide additional special paid leave for employees on the shift schedule.   🧩 What you’ll be working on You’ll lead a team of VSOs to deliver safe, high-quality, and efficient on-road testing operations. Leadership and supervision: Lead and support a growing team of VSOs during live testing operations, driving high standards of professionalism, communication, safety, and execution, working closely with Fleet Management, Quality Assurance, and Office Management. Operational management: Own shift execution across active fleet operations, coordinating people, vehicles, schedules, and priorities in real time, including managing work schedules, assigning tasks, and monitoring performance against company standards and goals. Performance management: Line manage a group of VSOs working across a rostered shift pattern, with face-to-face, documented contact with each member at least monthly. Customer engagement: Act as an operational point of contact for selected OEM and partner activities, ensuring smooth execution and professional stakeholder coordination. Safety and compliance: Ensure all operations comply with company policies and legal regulations, and promote a safe work environment by enforcing safety protocols. Quality control: Support high-quality data collection and testing execution by identifying operational issues, escalating risks, and maintaining testing standards. Problem solving: Make real-time operational decisions in fast-moving environments, balancing safety, efficiency, and testing priorities. Communication: Serve as the