Driver Airbag & Steering Wheel System Engineer
Onsite in Foster City, CA | 5 days in office
Travel within the Bay Area is required
Imagine a vehicle that drives in both directions, is fully symmetrical, and seats passengers in a carriage-style layout—with front-row occupants rearward-facing. Now design a restraint system that protects all occupants to NCAP 5-star performance levels in that environment.
In this role, you will own the design, integration, release, and launch. This is a module role—you will be responsible for delivering a complete, system-level solution, ensuring driver airbags, steering wheel interfaces, and vehicle architecture work together to meet ergonomics, electronics, safety, packaging, and manufacturing targets.
We are redefining vehicle safety for autonomous mobility. For this job, you will be working on a drivable concept of the autonomous vehicle.
Responsibilities:
● Lead the integration of Driver airbag, steering wheel, Horn & Steering wheel switches, ensuring alignment across packaging, safety, and manufacturing constraints.
● Drive cross-functional alignment with Interiors, Steering, Electronics, Safety, and Manufacturing teams to deliver a cohesive system solution.
● Define and manage interfaces between airbag module, steering wheel switches, clockspring, and column electronics, ensuring robust electrical and mechanical integration. Develop Sub System technical specification for all components in the module.
● Use CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX) to drive packaging, integration, and release of components and assemblies.
● Manage engineering change control, issue tracking, and program execution through JIRA (or equivalent tools).
● Own system-level trade-offs across performance, cost, manufacturability, and serviceability.
● Lead validation strategy and execution for driver airbag & steering wheel, including DVP&R, test planning, and data-driven decision making.
● Drive issue resolution across design, validation, and manufacturing phases, including supplier escalation when required.
● Ensure readiness for production through DFMEA, PFMEA support, and launch execution.
Qualifications:
● BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
● 4+ years of experience in automotive restraint systems, with direct ownership of driver airbag and/or steering wheel systems.
● Strong experience with steering wheel integration, airbag modules, and associated components (clockspring, switches, column interfaces).
● Working knowledge of electronics integration (switches, harnessing, signal interfaces) within steering systems.
● Proven experience using CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX) for design, packaging, and release.
● Experience with JIRA (or similar tools) for issue tracking, change management, and program execution.
● Proven experience working with Tier 1 suppliers (e.g., Autoliv, ZF, Joyson, Toyoda Gosei) and managing technical deliverables.
● Strong understanding of DFMEA, DVP&R, and full vehicle development lifecycle.
● Experience with GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
● Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional programs and drive decisions under ambiguity.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
Training & Development
Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
Free breakfast and lunch
Skills Required
- BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 4+ years of experience in automotive restraint systems
- Strong experience with steering wheel integration and airbag modules
- Proven experience using CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE for design and packaging
- Experience with JIRA for issue tracking and change management
- Strong understanding of DFMEA and full vehicle development lifecycle
What We Do
Sigma Software Vertex is where engineering excellence meets human connection. As part of Sigma Software Group, a global tech powerhouse with 2,000+ experts across 20 countries, we bring 22+ years of award-winning IT consulting into a bold, fresh context. We believe in loyalty, real relationships, and helping both talent and companies grow to their full potential. With roots in Swedish values and a global reach, we specialize in connecting ambitious engineers with forward-thinking companies across industries. Our name says it all: Vertex is the peak, and we’re here to climb it with you. Whether you're a client or a consultant, this is a place to build, evolve, and thrive.
