ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Automotive Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kindred Motorworks

Be Seen First

Automotive Electrical Systems Engineer

Vallejo, CA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Most automotive engineering jobs involve optimizing the next variation of a vehicle platform that ... And unlike many engineering environments, you'll see the direct impact of your work every day. Our ...

Kindred Motorworks

Be Seen First

Automotive Electrical Systems Engineer

Vallejo, CA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Most automotive engineering jobs involve optimizing the next variation of a vehicle platform that ... And unlike many engineering environments, you'll see the direct impact of your work every day. Our ...

Altair Engineering, Inc.

This is a direct hire position. What You Will Do: Product development of passenger car radial (PCR ... Relevant full-time experience in tire or automotive industry applying and developing tire products.

Bertrandt

Senior Automotive Systems Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$102K - $139K/yr

... without direct exposure to VW Group processes typically struggle to be effective in this ... automotive engineering experience in relevant systems * Proven experience across all vehicle ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDirector Automotive Engineer Jobs

Director Automotive Engineer information

See salary details

$73K

$194.7K

$254K

How much do director automotive engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for director automotive engineer in the United States is $194,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,500.00 and $253,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Automotive Engineer vs Automotive Engineer?

AspectDirector Automotive EngineerAutomotive Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire automotive engineering projects, manages teams, sets strategic goalsDesigns, develops, and tests vehicle components and systems
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical Engineering; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical Engineering
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D departments, corporate offices, or manufacturing plantsDesign labs, testing facilities, manufacturing sites

The main difference is that a Director Automotive Engineer focuses on strategic leadership, project management, and overseeing teams, while an Automotive Engineer is involved in the hands-on design and development of vehicle systems. Both roles require similar technical credentials, but the director position emphasizes management and strategic planning.

More about Director Automotive Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Automotive Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Director Automotive Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Automotive Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Director Automotive Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Automotive Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Automotive Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Automotive Engineer jobs are:
Director Automotive Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Automotive Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $194,709 per year, or $93.6 per hour.
Automotive Electrical Systems Engineer

Automotive Electrical Systems Engineer

Kindred Motorworks

Vallejo, CA • On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Be Seen First

After you apply to this job, you can share why you’re interested to jump to the top of the candidate list.

Job description

Build the Electrical Architecture Behind Some of the Most Iconic Vehicles Ever Made.

Most automotive engineering jobs involve optimizing the next variation of a vehicle platform that already exists.  This isn't one of those jobs.  At Kindred, we're reimagining some of the world's most iconic vintage vehicles by integrating modern electric powertrains, advanced electrical systems, and contemporary engineering into platforms originally designed decades ago.

Every vehicle presents a unique engineering challenge.

You'll work at the intersection of classic automotive design and modern EV technology, developing electrical systems that allow these vehicles to perform, function, and feel like they belong in the future while preserving everything that made them special in the first place.

If you enjoy solving real engineering problems, building hardware, working directly with vehicles, and seeing your designs make it into production, you'll feel right at home here.

What You'll Do

You'll help design, develop, test, and validate the electrical architecture that powers our vehicles, owning critical systems from initial concept through production release.

Your work may include:

  • Designing vehicle electrical systems and harness architectures
  • Developing and integrating 12V and high-voltage electrical systems
  • Supporting CAN and LIN communication networks
  • Designing and validating power distribution systems and controllers
  • Developing electrical schematics and engineering documentation
  • Prototyping and testing electrical harnesses and assemblies
  • Supporting PCB design and electrical component integration
  • Performing bench and vehicle-level testing and troubleshooting
  • Collaborating closely with Mechanical Engineering, Design, R&D, and Production teams
  • Working directly on prototype and production vehicles

This is a hands-on engineering role. You'll spend time behind a computer, but you'll also spend time around vehicles, hardware, prototypes, and the people building them.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for engineers who understand vehicle electrical systems and enjoy solving practical engineering problems.

Ideal candidates will bring:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering
  • 2+ years of automotive electrical engineering experience
  • Experience with vehicle electrical architecture, harnesses, and system integration
  • Knowledge of CAN communication systems and vehicle networking
  • Experience with EV systems, power electronics, or electrified vehicles
  • Experience designing, testing, and troubleshooting electrical systems
  • Strong documentation and engineering communication skills
  • Comfort working in both office and shop environments

Additional experience that is highly valued:

  • Arcadia
  • Vehicle harness design
  • PCB design and prototyping
  • Power distribution modules (PDMs)
  • Arena PLM
  • Onshape
  • Prototype vehicle development
  • Low-volume or specialty vehicle manufacturing

Why Engineers Join Kindred

✓ The work is challenging.

✓ The vehicles are unique.

✓ The pace is fast.

And unlike many engineering environments, you'll see the direct impact of your work every day.

Our engineers collaborate closely with technicians, builders, designers, and manufacturing teams to create vehicles that people genuinely care about. You'll have the opportunity to influence products, solve difficult technical problems, and help shape the future of a growing company operating at the intersection of automotive engineering, electrification, and craftsmanship.

About Kindred Motorworks

Kindred Motorworks is a rapidly growing, venture-backed company focused on transforming iconic vintage vehicles through modern electric vehicle technology.

We bring together automotive enthusiasts, engineers, designers, technicians, and craftspeople who share a passion for building extraordinary vehicles and creating unforgettable customer experiences.

If you're excited by complex engineering challenges, meaningful ownership, and the opportunity to help redefine what classic vehicles can become, we'd love to hear from you.

Company Description

Kindred Motorworks is a venture-backed automotive company reimagining some of the world's most iconic vehicles through modern engineering, advanced manufacturing, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Our team includes engineers, technicians, designers, builders, and automotive enthusiasts united by a shared belief that great vehicles should continue to be driven, enjoyed, and passed on to future generations.
We operate at the intersection of innovation and craftsmanship, combining modern technology with timeless design to create vehicles that deliver extraordinary experiences for our customers and meaningful work for our team.
If you're passionate about building great products, solving challenging problems, and contributing to something truly unique, we'd love to hear from you.