Senior Mechanical Engineer

Who We Are

Boston-based company Piaggio Fast Forward Inc. (PFF) was founded in 2015 by the Piaggio Group (the Italian manufacturer that created the iconic Vespa scooter). We are on a mission to build technology products that move the way that people move. To bring products to market today, PFF is solving the problem of robotic interaction with people in dynamically changing environments. We’re innovators, neighbors, and creators with a passion for local living and pushing the limits on urban transportation. We support a sustainable mobility ecology with healthy lifestyles and social connectivity available to all, regardless of age or abilities.

The Role

We are looking to add an innovative and motivated individual to our mechanical engineering team with a thorough understanding of mechanical principles, as well as demonstrated leadership capabilities working on / ability to work in interdisciplinary engineering teams. In this role, you will work with the Mechanical team in the design & development of multiple new products due to launch next year. You will be working collaboratively with both the Test Engineer to evaluate functionality of the machines and the Manufacturing Engineer to formalize the assembly process, working with the entire robotic system will also provide an opportunity to work closely with the Electrical Engineering and Software teams. You will be expected to communicate technical information across all levels in order to effectively assist your coworkers and present your work and findings across multiple teams. You’ll have the opportunity to create, fabricate, integrate and test hardware and systems, and be part of a team that is dedicated to creating new transportation and robotic solutions. This is an individual contributor role reporting to the Mechanical Engineering Manager.

What You Need 

• BS degree in mechanical engineering or related field
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a mechanical engineering role with a focus on electro-mechanical systems
• One to two years of experience working with electromechanical systems is preferred, but not required
• Ability to innovate and develop new designs and methods
• Extensive understanding of mechanical engineering principles and analytical skills
• Drivetrain/systems, steering, chassis is a must, suspension is a plus 
• Extensive understanding of mechanical engineering principles (drivetrain/systems, steering, chassis, suspension) and analytical skills
• Electromechanical systems including motors, actuators, and solenoids
• Vehicle Design for commercial applications
• Includes 2+ wheeled robotic platforms, automobiles, motorcycles
• Prototype Component Development
• Experience with rapid prototyping/3D printing of plastic and metal parts is required / desirable
• Ability to work in an iterative and prototype-focused development style
• Drawing creation via ISO or ANSI standards
• Familiarity with CAD file exchange platform and shared assemblies
• 3D CAD Modeling and structural and thermal analysis
• Experience with Autodesk Inventor and/or Fusion 360 preferred
• A working knowledge of machine and fabrication shop equipment and techniques
• Experience with metals, plastics and composite materials and manufacturing methods
• Experience with metals, plastics and composite materials and manufacturing methods is preferred
• Familiarity with design for the following processes: injection molding, die-casting, sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining
• A working knowledge of machine and fabrication shop equipment and techniques
• Familiarity with working on interdisciplinary and cross-functional teams
• Highly analytical self-starter with good communication skills (both written and verbal)
• If you've been deeply involved with a collegiate design competition (solar car, FSAE, robotics, AIAA DBF), that experience will be especially relevant here

Applicants will be asked to provide a portfolio or examples of projects completed.

What You’ll Do

You will be working closely with the other engineers on a small, collaborative development team. Example tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Lead development and productization of components and systems from conception to launch
• Interdisciplinary communication with the other engineering and design teams
• Creation and release of documentation of components and systems required
• CAD Design for production components
• Communicating with vendors to optimize design for manufacturing
• Interacting with production on prototype designs and confirming designs
• Developing an expert familiarity with the mechanics within current and future pipeline products
• Perform root cause analysis, and troubleshoot mechanical issues with corrective action recommendation
• Working with the Test Engineer to evaluate the performance of mechanical systems for our new & existing products
• Work on executing the tests, analyzing data, and reporting results to the team
• Technical development work on complex mechanical design challenges
• Assisting other members of the engineering team through meetings or design reviews
• Completing documentation required for releasing materials to manufacturing
• Supporting our factory in the assembly and manufacturing of current products
• Work on the physical design & fabrication of test fixtures in our in-house machine shop
• Experience with test equipment, Arduino projects, Python, and Matlab preferred

This is a hybrid role and candidates are required to be in the Boston area. 

We like you just the way you are.
Diversity fuels our innovation. Inclusion, belonging, equity, and neurodiversity drives our best-in-class culture. We strive to create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to share ideas, grow at their own pace, and work together towards a shared vision while holding each other to a higher standard. For us, DEI&B is the only way forward.

Employment Eligibility Verification
Piaggio Fast Forward participates in E-Verify, an electronic employment verification program operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA), to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. Piaggio Fast Forward is an E-Verify Employer, and as such, the company will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

For more information about E-Verify, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website: https://www.e-verify.gov/