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Drivetrain Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Fortin Racing, Inc.

Machinist

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$25 - $40/hr

Located in San Diego, Fortin Racing, Inc. is a premier drivetrain manufacturer for off-road race and recreational vehicles. A family-owned business with over 50 years of history, we design, engineer ...

Fortin Racing, Inc.

Machinist

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$25 - $40/hr

Located in San Diego, Fortin Racing, Inc. is a premier drivetrain manufacturer for off-road race and recreational vehicles. A family-owned business with over 50 years of history, we design, engineer ...

ALSO

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$180K - $210K/yr

Design, develop, and test components in drivetrain and actuators for light electric vehicle platforms * Create detailed drawing packages and manufacturing instructions for mechanical parts and ...

Humble Robotics

Senior Powertrain Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$123K - $169K/yr

Own end-to-end development of the electric powertrain system, including battery pack, HV architecture, motors, inverters, and drivetrain * Define system architecture and key tradeoffs across ...

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All JobsDrivetrain JobsDrivetrain Jobs in California

Drivetrain information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$271.9K

$394.8K

How much do drivetrain jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for drivetrain in California is $271,941.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $394,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Drivetrain vs Transmission Technician?

AspectDrivetrainTransmission Technician
Required CredentialsASE certifications, automotive repair licensesASE certifications, specialized transmission repair certifications
Work EnvironmentAuto repair shops, manufacturing plants, dealershipsAuto repair shops, dealerships, transmission service centers
Industry UsageAutomotive industry, manufacturingAutomotive repair and service
Common Search IntentUnderstanding drivetrain components and repairTransmission repair and diagnostics

While both Drivetrain and Transmission Technicians work on vehicle systems, Drivetrain specialists focus on components like axles, driveshafts, and differentials, whereas Transmission Technicians specialize in diagnosing and repairing transmissions. Both roles require automotive repair certifications and are vital in vehicle maintenance, but they target different parts of the vehicle's powertrain system.

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

To thrive as a Drivetrain Engineer, you need strong knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, drivetrain systems, and typically a degree in mechanical or automotive engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools (such as MATLAB or Simulink), and experience with testing equipment are essential technical skills. Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for excelling in this role. These skills ensure the efficient design, analysis, and integration of drivetrain systems that meet safety, performance, and reliability standards.

What is a drivetrain in a vehicle?

A drivetrain is the group of components in a vehicle that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. It typically includes the transmission, driveshaft, axles, and differential. The drivetrain's main role is to deliver the engine's power efficiently, allowing the vehicle to move forward or backward. Different types of drivetrains, such as front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive, affect how power is distributed to the wheels and influence handling and performance.

What are the typical challenges faced by drivetrain engineers when collaborating with cross-functional teams during product development?

Drivetrain engineers often work closely with teams from design, manufacturing, and quality assurance, which can present challenges such as aligning technical requirements, managing differing project timelines, and integrating new technologies. Effective communication and flexibility are crucial to ensure that drivetrain components meet overall vehicle performance goals while staying within budget and production constraints. Building strong relationships across departments and being proactive about potential integration issues can help drivetrain engineers navigate these common challenges successfully.
What are popular job titles related to Drivetrain jobs in California? For Drivetrain jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Drivetrain jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Drivetrain jobs in California are:
Drivetrain jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drivetrain job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $271,941 per year, or $130.7 per hour.
Senior Manager Drivetrain Design Engineer

Senior Manager Drivetrain Design Engineer

ALSO

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

About ALSO.

We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators, focused on creating entirely new (not to mention, innovative and delightful) vertically integrated, small EVs designed to meet the global mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones on vehicles that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.

ALSO is looking for a Senior Manager of Drivetrain Design Engineering to lead the development of next-generation electromechanical actuation systems used throughout our light electric vehicle platforms. This leader will build and develop a high-performing team responsible for actuator architecture, motors, geartrains, structural components, sensing, and electronics integration from concept through production.

What You Will Do

  • Build, lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary team of mechanical design engineers across actuator, motor mechanical, geartrain, and structures disciplines.

  • Own technical execution for actuator products from concept through production launch, balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.

  • Drive cross-functional execution between Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Controls, Systems, Manufacturing, Test, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.

  • Work alongside lead-system engineers driving decisions involving motors, gear reductions, bearings, sensors, PCB integration, wire harnesses, sealing, and structural design.

  • Establish engineering best practices for design reviews, DFMEA, DVP&R, tolerance analysis, CAD standards, documentation, and product release processes.

  • Guide engineering tradeoffs between performance, NVH, efficiency, durability, cost, weight, packaging, and manufacturing complexity.

  • Partner closely with OEM, JDM, and OBM suppliers through concept development, prototype builds, validation, industrialization, and production ramp.

  • Develop organizational capability through hiring, coaching, performance management, and succession planning.

  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, ownership, collaboration, and rapid learning.

  • Manage engineering resources, project priorities, technical risks, and staffing across multiple simultaneous development programs.

What You Will Bring

  • Experience leading and hiring engineering teams

  • Experience with high volume manufacturing processes such as injection molding, stamping, metal die-casting, PCBA, wiring harness, gear cutting.

  • Proficiency in hands-on mechanical integration, assembly, troubleshooting and documentation of mechanical and electromechanical systems.

  • Proficiency with CAE analysis software package like Ansys, Abaqus, Hyperwork, or similar

  • Proficiency in 3D/2D modeling tools (Catia V5/V6 preferred but not required)

  • Experience with Matlab and/or Python.

Perks and Benefits

  • Robust health coverage. Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by Also. with FSA & HSA options.

  • One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates.

  • Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny.

  • Flexible time off. 

  • 401(k) match.

Why ALSO.

We’re passionate about helping the world find a better way to get there—wherever it is you’re headed.

We’re located in the heart of Silicon Valley and have brought together a world-class team from some of the biggest brands in the technology, automotive, cycling, outdoor recreation and retail spaces. 

Together we’re working hands-on to imagine, design and build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges.