Mechanical Engineer

Overview

Lead mechanical design and NPI execution for automotive-grade connected-device products, with a focus on connector and ruggedized waterproofing design, from early requirements through production ramp.

What you'll do

• Lead mechanical design and NPI execution for automotive-grade connected-device products, translating product requirements and field-use conditions into design inputs, milestones, validation plans, and production-ready hardware.
• Deliver detailed part and system design, CAD models, drawings, and design documentation from initial concept through mass production.
• Own connector and waterproofing design from concept through production, including automotive-grade connector selection or customization, terminals, retention features, cable exits, overmolds, gaskets, O-rings, vent membranes, connector caps, and ruggedized enclosure interfaces.
• Develop cable harnesses and interconnects, including wire and terminal selection, crimp requirements, material and gold plating spec, shielding, grounding, bend-radius control, strain relief, routing, retention, and supplier manufacturing requirements.
• Lead failure analysis and validate corrective actions during development and for production or field failures, including connector, harness, sealing, and structural failures.
• Lead mechanical design discussions with internal and external cross-functional teams, including industrial design, EE, RF, antenna, camera, audio, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers, to make tradeoffs across performance, reliability, cost, and schedule.
• Manage mechanical design schedules, supplier milestones, technical risks, and issue resolution; provide hands-on support during NPI builds at manufacturing partner sites.
• Travel as needed to offshore factories to support NPI builds and production readiness, and to customer sites to investigate critical field issues and lead failure analysis.
• Conduct design reviews, research materials and mechanical systems, and communicate project status and technical decisions to leadership as needed.
• Support design for manufacturability and process validation for injection-molded plastics, sheet metal, die casting, machining, and relevant joining or sealing processes.
• Create and review 2D drawings with GD&T, datum schemes, CTF dimensions, material and finish callouts, and inspection requirements.
• Perform tolerance stack analysis and collaborate with manufacturing/process engineering and supplier quality on CPK, FAI, SPC, and process capability.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience designing waterproof enclosures and connector interfaces for harsh environments, including sealing strategies such as gaskets, O-rings, overmolds, and cable exits, and validating designs to IP67/IP69K requirements.
• Familiarity with USCAR, SAE, ISO 16750, IEC 60529, IEC 60068, or OEM-specific requirements.
• 8+ years of experience in automotive product and mounting design, including hands-on mechanical product development and NPI.
• 8+ years of experience in product validation, including shock/drop, cycle, vibration, and environmental testing.
• 8+ years of 3D CAD experience; proficiency in Creo/Pro/ENGINEER or comparable mechanical CAD, with the ability to create production-ready 3D models and detailed 2D drawings.
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack analysis, and mechanical design documentation; able to apply worst-case and statistical tolerance methods appropriately.
• Experience with thermal and structural analysis or simulation, and the ability to interpret results and apply them to design decisions.
• Knowledge of FMEA, tooling and material/process validation, including SPC, Cp, and Cpk; experience defining CTF dimensions and supporting FAI and supplier process capability.
• Strong mechanical design-for-manufacturing experience with injection-molded plastics and tooling; working knowledge of sheet metal, die casting, machining, and related supplier processes.
• Analytical problem-solving skills, including experience with 8D, Six Sigma, DOE, or similar methods.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across global, cross-functional teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally to offshore manufacturing sites for NPI support and to customer sites for critical field issue investigation.

Details

• Location: United States - Remote.
• Travel internationally to offshore manufacturing sites and to customer sites as needed.
• Base compensation range: $140,000 to $190,000 USD.
• Regarding US-based roles, candidates may be required to execute a non-compete covenant, subject to exceptions and applicable statutory requirements.
• Applicant must be authorized to receive and access commodities and technologies controlled under U.S. Export Administration Regulations.
• Some interviews or new-hire training sessions may be held in person at one of Motive's global offices.