Autonomous tech company TuSimple recently announced that Jim Mullen, the former Acting Administrator of the FMCSA, will serve as the organization’s chief legal and risk officer.

Mullen will oversee legal affairs, risk management strategy, and help develop a comprehensive approach to safety in his new role with the company.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jim to the TuSimple team. His experience leading the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will prove to be invaluable to our company as we work to introduce L4 autonomous trucks to the market by 2024,” said Cheng Lu, president of TuSimple. “Additionally, Jim brings over 15 years of legal experience in the trucking industry and that wealth of knowledge will support public and private partnerships as TuSimple continues to scale autonomous operations.”

Prior to joining TuSimple, Mullen served as the Acting Administrator and Chief Counsel of the FMCSA, where he oversaw the hours of service reform, autonomous commercial vehicle rulemaking, and the Department of Transportation’s Automated Vehicles 3.0 and 4.0 reports.

Before joining the Department of Transportation, Mullen headed a consulting firm specializing in transportation and cross-border trade and also served as the executive vice president and general counsel of truckload carrier Werner Enterprises. Mullen was also a member of the American Trucking Associations Executive Committee and Board of Directors.