Powertrain Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview
We're looking for an experienced Advanced Manufacturing Engineer, Powertrain to lead the strategic design, development, and implementation of highly automated manufacturing equipment and systems for our Electric Drive Unit (EDU) assembly and electrified chassis integration. This is a critical leadership role that will drive the strategy for high-precision, high-volume EV drivetrain manufacturing, ensuring our lines are the most efficient, safe, and robust in the world. You'll be a hands-on technical expert, leading the scale-up from concept to high-volume production. If you have deep expertise in high-precision e-motor, gearbox, or complex drivetrain assembly, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do:

• Strategic Equipment Leadership: Define and implement the long-term process and equipment strategy for EV Powertrain manufacturing lines. This includes precision CNC machining (for housings/shafts), winding, motor magnet assembly, component pressing, precision balancing, gearbox assembly, fluid filling, leak/pressure testing, and EDU End-of-Line (EOL) performance testing (dyno).
• Full Lifecycle Management: Lead the entire equipment lifecycle: from concept definition, SOR (Statement of Requirements) and specification, vendor selection, design review, FAT/SAT (Factory/Site Acceptance Testing), installation, commissioning, production ramp-up, and continuous improvement.
• New Facility & Line Setup: Lead the process flow planning, layout, and installation of new Powertrain assembly lines. This includes managing utility integration (compressed air, specialized coolants/oils, high-voltage power) and ensuring seamless integration of automation cells and heavy material handling.
• Technical Expertise (High-Precision): Act as the technical subject matter expert for all Powertrain equipment, applying deep knowledge of high-precision automation, servo control, torque control fastening, process control (e.g., force/displacement monitoring), and quality inspection systems (e.g., NDT, metrology, gear inspection).
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Assembly (DFA): Lead the Powertrain Product Engineering teams to optimize EDU and chassis component designs for automated assembly, focusing on minimizing complexity and maximizing process capability (Cpk) in critical mechanical and electrical processes.
• Vendor Management: Partner with Tier 1 equipment suppliers, leading complex technical discussions, negotiating precise specifications, and ensuring on-time delivery, quality, and performance targets are met.
• Process Optimization & Validation: Drive continuous improvement for equipment performance, OEE, yield, and cycle time through statistical analysis (SPC), DOE (Design of Experiments), root cause analysis (8D), and rigorous process validation (PFMEA, Control Plans).
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Work closely with Product Design, Quality, Controls, and Operations teams to ensure successful project execution and seamless integration of new equipment while adhering to critical safety and quality standards, specifically focusing on the marriage of the EDU with the chassis structure.

Who You Are:

• Experience: At least 10+years of experience in advanced manufacturing engineering, with at least 8+years focused on high-precision Electric Drive Unit (motor/gearbox/inverter) assembly, ICE Drivetrain assembly, or highly automated chassis/sub-assembly manufacturing in the automotive or related high-volume industry.
• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
• Expertise in high-speed rotor/stator assembly, winding, precision balancing, or component pressing (e.g., bearings, shafts).
• Strong familiarity with precision liquid dispensing (e.g., sealants, thermal paste) and automated leak/pressure testing.
• Expert knowledge of Electric Motor EOL dynamometer testing and data interpretation.
• Automation & Controls: Proven history of bringing new, complex, and highly automated manufacturing equipment online from concept to high-volume production.
• Tools: Strong proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA) for reviewing complex equipment designs and layouts. Experience with simulation software (e.g., Delmia) is a plus.
• Project Leadership: Proven project management experience with a track record of successfully leading multi-million dollar, large-scale equipment projects with critical safety and quality implications.
• Analysis: Ability to perform rigorous statistical analysis and utilize structured root cause analysis techniques to implement robust corrective actions.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with a startup environment and rapidly scaling production.
• Practice of Lean Manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies (Black Belt preferred).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar certification.