As Uber ($PRIVATE:UBER) looks to diversify its business outside of moving people and food around, the $726 billion trucking industry is clearly becoming a huge part of its future. That's because hiring for Uber Freight positions at the company have bene accelerating at the rate of 165% in just 5 months.

On September 23 2018, Uber was hiring for 32 Uber Freight positions. As of this week, the company lists 85 openings.

A jump in openings to the tune of 165% in just a few months mirrors Uber Freight's recent announcement that it would be doubling its team.

The hires appear top to bottom, with an emphasis on positions that will help Uber Freight scale, including Program Managers and Operations specialists.

Title

Title (Count)

Program Manager, Freight Support

3

Project Manager, Freight Support

3

CRM Marketing Manager, Uber Freight

2

Program Lead, Freight Support

2

Instructional Designer, Uber Freight

2

General Manager - Shipper Platform - Uber Freight

2

Shipper Operations Analyst - Uber Freight

2

Senior Shipper Operations Analyst - Uber Freight

2

Sr. Carrier Operations Analyst, Uber Freight

2

Training Specialist, Uber Freight

2

Just this month, top execs from Airbnb and Box joined Uber Freight: Bar Ifrach from Airbnb is marketplace head and Andrew Smith is not head of sales of Uber Freight. In August — just before the hiring spike — Otto co-founder Lior Ron re-joined Uber to run Uber Freight.

Uber Freight was launched in May 2017. Like other Uber apps, it automates transactions through a smartphone app, making it easy for carriers and shippers to book loads. It's not alone in attempting to up-end the trucking industry: Convoy ($PRIVATE:CONVOY), founded by two former Amazon employees, also matches drivers with loads and is now valued at $1 billion. Meanwhile, NEXT Trucking and Transfix are also making moves in the trucking automation market.

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