Mechanical Engineer – Powertrain & Structures

As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in the environmental and social initiatives in communities across our nation.  GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation in the industry for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support.  From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA. 

WHY GILLIG

• Leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, near-zero CNG and clean diesel transit buses
• Renowned for its inclusive team/family-oriented culture
• Stable, successful, and growing organization – a Bay Area business for over 132 years!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Excellent compensation including company paid medical premiums, generous retirement plan and other comprehensive benefits

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

GILLIG Engineering is responsible for the development, customization, and configuration of GILLIG’s clean technology heavy-duty transit buses.  We are committed to developing the most reliable buses that connect communities, eliminate congestion, and contribute to a greener environment.  Our engineers are engaged in designing, analyzing, testing, launching, and problem solving across a wide range of technical areas. 

Mechanical Engineering is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing mechanical systems and components, such as chassis, HVAC, interior layout, and powertrain integration to ensure safety, durability, and performance. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet regulatory standards, troubleshooting issues during production, and ensure cost-effective and efficient designs tailored to the needs of heavy-duty transit buses.

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer who will be responsible for assisting & supporting more senior level engineers on various functions relating to transit bus design and is focused on the design and industrialization of content for GILLIG’s continuously evolving product line. The Mechanical Engineer will have influence over vehicle, system, and component level design decisions in conjunction with more senior level engineers. Duties involve engineering assistance, problem resolution, mechanical design, BOM development, application research & other engineering duties in support of the manufacturing of heavy-duty transit buses. This person will have direct influence at the component level to optimize the piece parts. This is a direct, full-time position with GILLIG.

This is a hands-on, on-site role at our Livermore, CA plant and reports to the Structures & Powertrain Manager, but may also receive direction and guidance from senior engineers.

TECHNICAL FOCUS

Structures & Suspension

The GILLIG bus consists of many welded, bolted, and riveted joints that make up the primary structural elements of the bus. Fluent knowledge of sheet metal design from component to assembly, including steel, stainless steel, and aluminum fabrications, extrusions, and castings is a typical daily demand.  Along with the structural aspect of the bus, the vehicle’s suspension, steering, braking, and pneumatic systems are integral to this group. This position requires the ability to review customer specifications & requirements and deliver chassis & body structure designs as well as suspension, steering, and pneumatic brake systems that meet these needs. The Structures team has consistently been where Engineering mechanics, thermo-fluids, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) all collide.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Create and maintain Bill of Materials (BOM), defining appropriate applications of parts and assembly
• Gather information regarding supplier components, existing GILLIG designs and technological advancements to rationalize and optimize design concepts
• Partner with the team to develop a course of action based on guidelines and modify processes and methods as required
• Use 2D and 3D CAD tools to create, review & release vehicle components and assemblies receiving guidance from senior engineers as needed
• Use analytical tools to assess your designs and others, including but not limited to stress, vibration, thermal performance, and durability
• Process design releases including the General release of both Customer & Design REIs, which sometimes require input & involvement in follow-on processes such as Change Control, Production Change Order (PCO), and Engineered Production Change (EPC) release
• Support designs throughout the entire lifecycle, including development, production launch, variant designs & customization, and field support
• Work with the test engineer(s) to create DVP&R, execute the defined test plan and review the test results/reports
• Provide engineering input for technical publications, such as service, parts, and driver manuals
• Collaborate and iterate designs with cross-functional partners such as electrical, controls and manufacturing engineers

• Autonomy: Ability to work with little instruction on day-to-day work, receiving general instruction on new assignments from senior engineers or the group manager.
• Technically Minded: Apply industry practices and standards (NFPA, NEC, APTA, etc.). Exhibit professional expertise, applying design standards, best practices, and company procedures to resolve a variety of issues. Determine a course of action based on guidelines and modify processes and methods as required.
• Time Management: Work productively to deliver projects on schedule and on budget. Solve production and/or manufacturing related issues expeditiously.
• Communication: Collaborate up, down and across the organization to resolve mutual problems. Focus on providing standard professional advice and creating initial reports/analysis for review by experienced team members.
• Complexity: Responsible for a certain set of commodities or design elements within the team. Work on problems of moderate to more-complex scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Applies learned techniques and contributes to analysis and investigation to solve problems.
• Quality & Standards: Model, drawing, and other technical documentation is accurate and complete. Released designs are cost effective, manufacturable, serviceable, and meet all performance objectives, and customer requirements.

• Bachelor or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum 2 years of experience within the Engineering industry
• Automotive, commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicle design familiarity. Direct experience a plus
• Familiarity with BOM management
• Fluency in CAD software such as NX, CREO, or SolidWorks
• Experience working with component suppliers, engineering service suppliers, testing suppliers and product validation engineers
• Experience in the direct design of components including Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Service (DFS), and cost-efficiency (Value Engineering)
• Experience with “hands-on” troubleshooting, product assembly, prototyping, testing, and validation activities (on site and at remote locations)
• Demonstrated experience in design, development, and optimization of vehicle structures, focusing on weight reduction, stiffness enhancement, and crash safety
• Ability to perform basic finite element analysis (FEA) to predict structural performance under various loading conditions (static and dynamic)
• Prior experience developing suspension kinematics and compliance models
• Exposure to utilization of simulations to predict ride and handling performance
• Working knowledge of suspension geometry and component parameters selections to meet target performance requirements

• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer
• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk and occasionally kneel or squat
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to navigate manufacturing environment, comfortable around heavy machinery, tools, etc.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment, (i.e. safety glasses, bump caps, hearing protection, etc.)
• Limited travel may be required
• Standard start time: 7:00 AM (negotiable)

EXPECTED COMPENSATION

$75,000 - $130,000/ annual salary + premium benefits  

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job classification, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

GILLIG is committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace that values and respects the unique talents, experiences, and perspectives of our employees and the people we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

GILLIG is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.