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Chassis Builder Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are looking for a skilled Chassis Technician to join our team specializing in service for our ... to build an interdependent culture and contribute to an injury-free workplace. Diagnostics ...

Clayton is a leading single-family, values-driven home builder dedicated to attainable housing ... The Welder will be a part of the Chassis department team. This position requires the ability to ...

Chassis

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$27/hr

Clayton is a leading single-family, values-driven home builder dedicated to attainable housing ... The Welder will be a part of the Chassis department team. This position requires the ability to ...

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Chassis Builder information

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How much do chassis builder jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for chassis builder in the United States is $23.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.91 and $25.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Chassis Builders?

Chassis Builders are skilled professionals who design, fabricate, and assemble the structural frameworks (chassis) for vehicles such as cars, trucks, or race cars. They work with various materials like steel or aluminum, using specialized tools to ensure the chassis meets safety, performance, and quality standards. Chassis Builders may work in automotive manufacturing, motorsports, or custom car shops, and often collaborate with engineers and other technicians to deliver reliable vehicle foundations.

What is the difference between Chassis Builder vs Truck Frame Assembler?

AspectChassis BuilderTruck Frame Assembler
CertificationsTypically requires welding and fabrication certificationsOften requires welding and mechanical certifications
Work EnvironmentFabrication shops, manufacturing plantsAssembly lines, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageAutomotive, heavy equipment manufacturingTruck manufacturing, commercial vehicle assembly
Job FocusBuilding and customizing chassis structuresAssembling truck frames and components

Both roles involve metal fabrication and welding skills within manufacturing settings. A Chassis Builder focuses on constructing and customizing chassis structures, while a Truck Frame Assembler specializes in assembling truck frames and related components. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in vehicle manufacturing industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chassis Builder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chassis Builder, you need strong mechanical aptitude, fabrication skills, and a solid understanding of automotive engineering, often supported by vocational training or an apprenticeship. Experience with welding equipment, CAD software, and various hand and power tools is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are important soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the precise construction, safety, and performance of vehicle chassis in demanding environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a Chassis Builder, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Chassis Builders often encounter challenges such as working with tight tolerances, interpreting complex blueprints, and coordinating with other fabrication or engineering teams to ensure all components fit precisely. Managing these challenges requires strong attention to detail, effective communication skills, and a solid understanding of fabrication tools and materials. Staying organized, proactively asking questions, and participating in regular team meetings can help address potential issues before they impact the build process.
More about Chassis Builder jobs
Infographic showing various Chassis Builder job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,585 per year, or $23.8 per hour.
Staff Engineer - Chassis and Motion Controls

Staff Engineer - Chassis and Motion Controls

Knightscope

Sunnyvale, CA

$180K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

AboutKnightscope

Knightscope is a security technology company building the Nation's First Autonomous Security Force. The Company combines autonomous machines, advanced software, and human expertise to help protect people, property, and critical infrastructure. Knightscope's long-term mission is to make the United States of America the safest country in the world


Job Summary

Knightscope is seeking a Staff Chassis and Motion Control Engineer to lead the mechanical and control systems development of our autonomous security robot platforms. In this role, you will own the design and integration of chassis architecture, suspension, drivetrain, and the motion control systems that govern how our robots move through complex, real-world environments. You will combine deep expertise in vehicle dynamics, mechanical design, and control theory to deliver platforms that are safe, reliable, and capable of operating autonomously across diverse terrain and conditions.


Location Requirement: Full-time, on-site at Sunnyvale HQ (no relocation provided)


About the Role

As a Staff-level engineer, you will set the technical directions for chassis hardware and motion controls and serve as a hands-on technical leader across cross-functional teams. Your responsibilities will span the full development lifecycle, from concept and requirements definition through prototyping, validation, and production.


You will architect chassis and suspension systems that balance stability, payload, durability, and manufacturability while meeting demanding operating requirements. On the controls side, you will develop and tune steering, traction, and motion control algorithms, including steer-by-wire and drive-by-wire subsystems, and define the interfaces between low-level motion control and higher-level autonomy. You will own vehicle-level requirements related to lateral acceleration limits, dynamic stability, and ride quality, deriving them with traceable rigor against relevant functional safety and robotics standards.


Day to day, you will work closely with autonomy, electrical, and systems teams to ensure motion control performance meets the needs of the full stack, lead design reviews and failure analysis, mentor junior engineers, and establish best practices for testing and validation. The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in mechanical engineering and controls, extensive experience taking electromechanical platforms from concept to production, and the judgment to make sound architectural decisions in a fast-moving environment.


Key Responsibilities

  • Design and develop braking, steering, wheel, tire, and suspension concepts that improve cost, mass, efficiency, manufacturability, and serviceability for an autonomous security robot
  • Challenge existing requirements and define new ones for system sizing, functions, and features based on regulations, first principles, and product attributes
  • Appropriately scale automotive architectures for a smaller, lower-volume security robot
  • Assess and validate the manufacturing, assembly, and service feasibility of design proposals
  • Design, analyze, build, and test prototypes at the subsystem, system, and full-vehicle levels
  • Evaluate braking, steering, ride, and handling attributes-both subjectively and objectively-in production vehicles, prototype vehicles, and simulation
  • Collaborate closely with the autonomy team to ensure vehicle controllability
  • Work with cross-functional teams to ensure product requirements are met
  • Define and develop chassis control strategies and electrical architecture, and drive chassis software, electrical, and vehicle integration


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering
  • Experience designing systems with a combination of custom and off the shelf parts
  • 10+ years of automotive experience
  • Experience with Vector/ETAS/New Eagle tools (CANape, INCA, RaptorCAL, etc.)
  • Strong working knowledge of chassis systems and vehicle dynamics
  • Experience designing, prototyping, and testing mechanical and electromechanical systems
  • Proven delivery of chassis systems, with at least one product taken from concept to production
  • Hands-on experience in prototype development and vehicle validation
  • Familiarity with chassis software development (MATLAB/Simulink/RaptorDEV)
  • Ability to read and work with electrical schematics, with a sound understanding of automotive bus systems (CAN, Ethernet)
  • Understanding of fundamental engineering processes, including hardware and software release, requirements definition, and test planning


Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $180,000 - $210,000 DOE
  • Equity:Stock options
  • Benefits:Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off
  • Location Requirement:Full-time, on-site at Sunnyvale HQ