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Mechanical Engineering Lead

Livermore, CA

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

Our engineering organization is comprised of four primary departments: Current Product Engineering (CPE), New Product Engineering (NPE), Product Validation, and the Colorado Technology Center (CTC).

The Current Product Engineering (CPE) Department has two main missions:

  • To provide design enhancement and optimization for our current product platforms that spans across virtually all stages of the vehicle lifecycle
  • To deliver robust, fleet-specific designs required for each of our customers’ operational needs

The mission of the Sustaining Engineering group is design enhancement and optimization for our current product platforms that span across virtually all stages of the vehicle lifecycle. This group develops a broad applications of new customer option content, cost, and performance improvements, and drives resolution of technical Supply Chain, Production, Field, and Aftermarket needs.

 ABOUT THE ROLE 

As Mechanical Engineering Lead on the Sustaining Engineering team, you will lead day to day activities for 8-10 design engineers focused on enhancing our current core products from Clean Diesel to Battery Electric buses. Your key responsibilities include overseeing the development of designs, creation of procurement-ready drawings, and maintenance of Bills of Material (BOMs). You will ensure effective communication within the team, align, and prioritize workloads, and manage resources to meet our strategic objectives and operational targets.

Reporting directly to the Director of Engineering at our Livermore headquarters, your leadership will be pivotal in advancing GILLIG’s commitment to durable, high-performing buses and shaping the future of public transportation in America. You'll drive innovations and improvements across our product lines, resolving technical issues in Supply Chain, Production, and Field operations. This role is designed for those who are passionate about leading teams and projects that impact the future of public transportation in America.

 TECHNICAL FOCUS

(Sustaining Mechanical)

The Sustaining Engineering team develops new option content, cost & performance improvements to the current product, and drive resolution of technical Supply Chain, Production, and Field issues. You will have an emphasis on providing robust, service-friendly, and cost-conscious mechanical designs. This requires a multi-faceted technical skillset with the ability to work in assignments ranging from chassis & powertrain to the interior passenger space. This position will test your troubleshooting capabilities to efficiently drive to root cause and your ability to identify & implement permanent corrective actions.  Familiarity or experience with HVAC systems (commercial, residential, or vehicle) is a plus.

 IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

  • Lead a team of top-engineers while maintaining alignment and high-performance levels to meet company goals as well as shape the next generation GILLIG bus
  • Coach, train, evaluate and mentor team members (internal & external), fostering an environment of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing crucial for maintaining high team performance and alignment with company goals
  • Manage the lifecycle of prototypes from concept to testing, ensuring each model advances GILLIG's legacy of excellence
  • Lead root cause analysis on production and quality issues, ensuring all designs comply with stringent requirements and maintaining rigorous control over the Bill of Materials (BOM) and project documentation
  • Adapt to customer needs by developing new designs, coordinating prototype builds and testing customer feedback into actionable design improvements while ensuring our buses meet the highest standards of efficiency and passenger comfort
  • Drive product reliability and safety forward through meticulous design processes including FMEA, GD&T, FEA as well as create robust, service-friendly, and cost-conscious mechanical designs
  • Influence production processes by actively engaging in the Change Control process, seamlessly introducing new designs
  • Foster cutting-edge technology integration, collaborating with experts to revolutionize our established product lines

 BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, or Physics required
  • Minimum 8 years of Engineering experience
  • Must have Design Engineering experience
  • Proficiency in troubleshooting, CAD software, project management tools, root cause analysis, and the application of industry practices and standards (SAE, APTA, FMVSS, etc.)
  • Possesses a broad technical skill set and a proactive approach to innovation
  • Experienced in implementing permanent corrective actions across various technical domains based on a strong foundation in engineering principles, with the ability to rapidly assess and focus on effective solutions
  • Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and the ability to coach others in simple structural Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Understanding of the automotive industry and the unique challenges it presents, heavy duty background a plus
  • Demonstrated leadership and training abilities with experience in management or supervisory roles considered a plus
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively convey complex engineering concepts to non-technical stakeholders

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Ability to lift 25 lbs.
  • Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and occasionally kneel or squat
  • Limited travel may be required
  • Standard start time: 7:00 a.m. (negotiable)

EXPECTED COMPENSATION

$75,000 - $275,000/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.

 

 

 

 

 

GILLIG is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.

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