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Senior Electrical Engineer - Liaison Engineer

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

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, eliminates congestion, and contributes to a greener environment.  Our engineers are engaged in designing, analyzing, testing, launching, and problem solving across a wide range of technical areas.

Liaison Engineering serves as the critical link between design and manufacturing teams, ensuring smooth and efficient production of GILLIG’s high-quality transit buses. Their core mission is to bridge the gap between engineering design and the manufacturing floor in Livermore, CA. They support current products, facilitate seamless integration of new designs and ensure continuous improvement of production processes. The Liaison Engineering Group is a cross-functional and multi-talented group, housing mechanical, electrical, vehicle controls, and industrial engineering as well as dedicated production support technicians to ensure coverage in all facets of producing transit buses.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Senior Electrical Engineer in Liaison Engineering, you will play a key role in supporting bus assembly by providing expert technical guidance. You'll influence performance at both component and system levels, collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage projects, mentor others, and ensure engineering solutions are effectively implemented through strong coordination and communication.

This is an on-site position that will report directly to the Lead Electrical Engineer - Production Liaison but may also receive direction and guidance from other senior engineers.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of engineering design principles and manufacturing processes, leading complex projects with innovative solutions and efficient processes
  • Expertly troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues to reduce waste and improve process reliability, enhance production quality, and provide advanced technical support to boost efficiency and reliability
  • Conduct in-depth root cause analysis, optimize processes, handle advanced application research, and support manufacturing
  • Apply extensive experience with lean manufacturing principles and process optimization, driving continuous improvement and significant cost savings
  • Lead communication between engineering/design and manufacturing teams, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment
  • Evaluate and address rapid requests from the supply chain, ensuring smooth and efficient operations
  • Ensure manufacturability of designs, reducing production costs and improving product quality
  • Develop and improve production processes, reducing production time and costs
  • Document production processes to ensure compliance and traceability, support continuous improvement through detailed documentation
  • Lead the Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) efforts, providing expert guidance to design teams
  • Implement safety improvements to minimize assembly risks and foster a culture of safety and compliance

SCOPE OF THE ROLE 

  • Autonomy: Ability to work independently with review at critical points.
  • Technically Minded: Apply industry practices and standards (NFPA, NEC, APTA, etc.) and provide input and advice to other staff members on industry practices and standards. Exhibit advanced wide-ranging experience, using in-depth professional knowledge, acumen, concepts and company objectives to develop, resolve complex models and procedures.
  • Time Management: Work productively to deliver projects on schedule and on budget.
  • Communication: Collaborate and teach up, down and across the organization to help raise the skills and knowledge of the GILLIG team. Adapt style to differing audiences and adept at persuasion on complex subjects. 
  • Complexity: Responsible for a certain set of commodities or design elements within the team. Work on problems of diverse scopes where analysis of information requires evaluation of multiple factors. Devise solutions based on limited information and precedents and adapt existing approaches to resolve issues. Use engineering principles, judgment, and interpretation to select the right course of action. 
  • Quality & Standards: Technical documentation is accurate and complete. Released designs are cost effective, manufacturable, serviceable, meet all performance objectives, & meet customer requirements.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor or advanced degree in Engineering 
  • Minimum 5 years of experience within the Engineering industry 
  • Advanced understanding of manufacturing processes
  • Extensive experience with lean manufacturing principles
  • Fluency in AutoCAD and Zuken E3 CAD software
  • Fluent with BOM, documentation control, and revision/version management. Experience with a configure-to-order product and modular BOM management a plus
  • Experience working with major component suppliers, engineering service suppliers, testing suppliers and product validation engineers 
  • Fluent in the direct design of components including Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Service (DFS), and cost-efficiency (Value Engineering) 
  • Automotive, commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicle design familiarity, direct experience a plus 
  • Highly skilled in “hands-on” troubleshooting integration challenges, prototyping, testing, and validation activities (on site and at remote locations) 
  • Taking the lead on cross-functional collaboration
  • In-depth knowledge of bus High Voltage and Low Voltage automotive electrical systems across different powertrains
  • In-depth knowledge of electrical tools to include digital multi meter, oscilloscope, isolation tester and others
  • Proficient in CAN analysis tools such as: Vector CANalyzer/CANoe/CANape
  • Expert electrical troubleshooting and experience with 5-Why’s/Ishikawa technique
  • Strong knowledge of electrical SAE/ISO standards
  • Expertise in programming languages and control system design to include modern PLC/HMI design

WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • 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 a 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: 6:00am (negotiable)

EXPECTED COMPENSATION

$75,000, - $164,310 /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.

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