Principal Mechanical Engineer

Your Role

Aperia Technologies Inc, a thriving venture funded automotive company based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Is undergoing rapid expansion. To support our ongoing product growth both domestically and internationally, we are seeking to enhance our hardware design engineering presence in Michigan, with potential new locations in Ann Arbor and/or Grand Rapids. As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be expected to take the lead on a variety of projects - from early-stage design to late stage validation efforts – while guiding and lifting the team around you. You will create validation plans and design test fixtures. You will perform field installs and collect real-world feedback. 

Your Responsibilities

• Architect, design and optimize next generation products by performing concept generation, analysis, CAD, prototyping, DFM, DFA and user studies as needed.
• Regularly lead design projects by mentoring and guiding less experienced engineers.
• Continuously uphold good documentation practices, including keeping comprehensive design journals and test reports to ensure consistency, standardization and knowledge preservation.
• Lead the formulation of early concepts and garner feedback from stakeholders and talk with customers to devise product requirements, ensuring optimal designs.
• Develop test plans, required testing fixtures and test flows as needed, ensuring comprehensive testing, standardization of testing procedures and improving accuracy and reliability.
• Direct suppliers and vendors to get designs production ready by providing detailed specs, defining quality standard and requirements, building prototypes and using feedback loops, manufacturability analysis and process capabilities when required.  

Design Experience / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience as a system architect and leading projects and guiding small teams of engineers and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Flexibility to travel if needed.
• Strong competency in the following:
• Systems thinking and the ability to understand the driving variables within a system.
• Mechanical design and analysis of dynamic electro-mechanical systems.
• Mechanical aptitude, hands-on assembly, modification, and tweaking/tinkering.
• Experience with injection moldings. 
• Electromechanical workings, sensor integration, motor control, data logging, and test automation.
• LabVIEW, MATLAB, Excel, C++ (or similar microcontroller programming language).
• Simulation tools within CAD programs (SolidWorks is a plus).
• 3D CAD (SolidWorks or similar).
• Teamwork, collaboration, and mentorship of teammates.
• Familiarity in the following:
• Test fixture design; fabrication; hands-on assembly, calibration, adjustment, and modification
• Reliability science concepts and application
• Accelerated test methods and application: vibration, thermal
• Weibull statistical analysis
• Mechatronics, microcontrollers, motorized systems, robotics
• Data science, manipulating large datasets
• Fabrication via machining, welding, bolted assemblies, 3D printing, laser cutting
• Pneumatic systems

Pay Range: $140000 - $190,000

*Base salary only. Salary dependent on multiple factors including, but not limited to, experience and location.

**Additional compensation may include equity, bonuses, stipends, medical, dental, vision, 401-k, and long-term disability insurance.