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The Role
Design and develop exterior body subsystems (glazings, closures, canopy actuation, panels, bumpers) from concept through prototyping and production; produce release documentation; select and manage suppliers; perform component, subsystem, and vehicle-level testing to validate and refine designs.
Summary Generated by Built In
Overview
Lightship is the first American all-electric recreational vehicle manufacturer currently developing an aerodynamic, battery-powered trailer for the electric age. As the macro transition to an all-electric transportation ecosystem accelerates, Lightship is bringing the increased convenience and superior performance that electrification offers to a pastime enjoyed by over 11 million American families.
Honoring Diverse Perspectives
Lightship is committed to hiring and developing top talent from diverse backgrounds. We believe representing and supporting diverse groups is key to the success of our team members, customers, shareholders and the achievement of our mission and vision. We operate in a collaborative environment with a flat organizational structure and expect a high degree of integrity, autonomy and creativity from all members of the team.
About the Role
As Senior Mechanical Design Engineer you will develop design solutions for the body and exterior systems from concept phase through physical implementation utilizing multiple manufacturing processes. The team is responsible for glazings, closures, canopy actuation, body panels, and bumpers - you’ll own a subset. Your work will lead the perception of the product, as the first thing people see and get excited about, and their first touch points interacting with the trailer.
As Senior Mechanical Design Engineer you will develop design solutions for the body and exterior systems from concept phase through physical implementation utilizing multiple manufacturing processes. The team is responsible for glazings, closures, canopy actuation, body panels, and bumpers - you’ll own a subset. Your work will lead the perception of the product, as the first thing people see and get excited about, and their first touch points interacting with the trailer.
Please attach or link a brief portfolio that highlights specific examples of significant and relevant accomplishments.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute mechanical designs for linear actuation, windows/glazings, or closures, from conception through prototyping and production, selecting manufacturing technologies well matched to program volumes and in line with vehicle cost and performance targets.
- Develop and release design data and documentation to adequately specify subsystem content at RFQ, prototype and production release phases.
- Support selection of suppliers and act as primary contact for vehicle exterior component suppliers through the DFM, prototyping, and production readiness phases.
- Plan and carry out component and subsystem level testing to validate designs and identify opportunities for design improvement throughout the phases.
- Provide input into, and support the execution of system and vehicle level testing as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- BS mechanical/aerospace engineering or similar (MS preferred)
- 5+ years of relevant experience
- Experience designing and engineering similar products, taking them from concept to production manufacturing, ideally in a lower volume environment
- Relevant prior experience in RV, automotive or aerospace design/engineering, including bonded and opening windows, exterior doors and mechanisms, or linear actuation.
- Familiarity with DFM for one or more of the following: glass and polycarbonate glazing, sheet metal, molded parts, sealing profiles, CNC machined components, gear mechanisms.
- Solid working knowledge of a 3D CAD system, ideally Catia V5 or 3DX Catia (NX or SolidWorks are also considered)
Preferred Qualifications
- You are curious, fundamentals oriented, you question founding assumptions and you enjoy a challenge
- Collaborative mindset, dedication to excellence and thoroughness, clear communication style
- Experience with sustainable design and engineering practices preferred
Equity
- Lightship compensation consists of the yearly salary above plus equity, which gives you a stake in the company.
Employee Benefits & Philosophy - Applies to Full Time Employees only
- Healthcare, Dental, Vision
- 401k
- Flexible Paid Time Off - that we actually want you to use!
- 13 Company Holidays: 8 throughout the year + the company observes a week of scheduled downtime during the end of the year, allowing all employees to enjoy a break
- 12 weeks paid parental leave
- Yearly LightTrip stipend for an RV trip &/or professional development opportunities
Lightship offers all of its full time employees and their dependents full benefits including health, dental and vision insurance. We are on a mission to create a more healthful all-electric experience for a pastime that millions of families enjoy and believe strongly that our team should not have to worry about quality healthcare for themselves or their loved ones along the way.
Skills Required
- BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or similar
- MS in relevant field
- 5+ years of relevant mechanical design/engineering experience
- Experience taking products from concept to production, ideally in low-volume environments
- Prior experience in RV, automotive, or aerospace exterior design including bonded/opening windows, exterior doors, mechanisms, or linear actuation
- Familiarity with DFM for glass and polycarbonate glazing, sheet metal, molded parts, sealing profiles, CNC machined components, and gear mechanisms
- Solid working knowledge of a 3D CAD system (ideally Catia V5 or 3DX Catia; NX or SolidWorks also considered)
- Attach or link a brief portfolio highlighting relevant accomplishments
- Experience with sustainable design and engineering practices
- Curiosity, fundamentals orientation, collaborative mindset, clear communication
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The Company
What We Do
Lightship is an early-stage hardware startup launched in 2020 by Tesla alumni that is bringing the $26B recreational vehicle industry into the electric age. Based in San Francisco and Broomfield, Colorado, Lightship is designing and producing an aerodynamic, battery-powered trailer that liberates travelers from the noise, emissions, and range anxiety of gas RVing
