Engineering Manager, Body Closures

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.  We are unable to financially sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this opportunity currently.

About Slate

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love — and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

Who we are looking for:

Slate is looking for an energetic and organized Engineering Manager, Body Closures to join our team.  This individual leads the full development, integration, and release of all Closure systems across Slate’s vehicle programs, managing both internal engineering teams and external suppliers.  This role ensures system performance, manufacturability, and cost targets are met while collaborating cross-functionally to support product development and future vehicle planning.

What you get to do:

• Lead the end-to-end development and release of all Closure systems, including doors, hoods, tailgates, and associated hardware.
• Manage cross-functional engineering teams responsible for design, integration, validation, and production launch activities.
• Oversee supplier sourcing, technical assessments, design release and approvals, ensuring manufacturability, cost targets, mass optimization, and investment tracking are achieved.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison with suppliers, guiding them through all development phases, issue resolution, and change implementation.
• Define, document, and validate all functional and performance requirements for Closure systems, accounting for vehicle packaging, safety, and long-term durability.
• Drive resolution of component-level and system-level issues through structured problem-solving and robust change management processes.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure system compatibility and program alignment, including Engineering, Vehicle Integration, Purchasing, Program Management, and Design.
• Support future product planning and advanced engineering by contributing Closure system strategies that align with evolving vehicle architectures, brand identity, and customer expectations.

What you bring to the team:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field is required.  Master's degree is preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience with Closure systems in the automotive industry.
• Proven experience in Design Release Engineering with Closures, BIW, and exterior related components.
• Test and validation experience with all related Closure systems and components.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Closure strength and durability.
• Experience with technical tools, such as DFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T, Design for Manufacturing, Lean, and other tool chains.
• Broad vehicle technical and vehicle development process knowledge, including how to set technical targets, working with teams to determine feasibility (virtually and physically), and validating statistical confidence.
• Ability to lead teams and meetings through technical tradeoffs and optimized solutions with attention to detail.
• Ability to use CATIA and PLM systems is required.  May consider experience with other relevant CAD / PLM systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Excellent team building and relationship building skills.
• Desire to build your own team and work in a fun and fast paced environment.
• Highly adaptable and proactive, excelling in fast-paced start-up and new model launch environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Physical Requirements:

• Must have the ability to travel (up to 20%).
• Must have the ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

Why Join Team Slate?

We’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail.  Slate’s start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness moves our business forward.  Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

We want to work with people that reflect the communities in which we operate. 

• Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.  We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences.  Or for any other reason.
• Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures.  If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].