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Suspension Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ford Motor Company

Senior Chassis Design Engineer

Long Beach, CA · Hybrid

$135K - $226K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

As a Senior Chassis Engineer, you will drive the design, development, and execution of novel chassis components and sub-systems-including brakes, steering, wheels, tires, and suspension platforms.

Ford Motor Company

Senior Chassis Design Engineer

Long Beach, CA · Hybrid

$135K - $226K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

As a Senior Chassis Engineer, you will drive the design, development, and execution of novel chassis components and sub-systems-including brakes, steering, wheels, tires, and suspension platforms.

Ford Motor Company

Senior Chassis Design Engineer

Long Beach, CA · Hybrid

$135K - $226K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or equivalent combination of ... Design and develop novel brakes, steering, wheel, tire, and suspension concepts that improve ...

Santa Cruz

R&D Fabricator

Santa Cruz, CA

$45/hr

Fabricate full-suspension bicycle frames with elite accuracy and efficiency * Measure and record ... Work with our Production Engineering team to design and build new fixtures to level up and support ...

Santa Cruz Bicycles

R&D Fabricator

Santa Cruz, CA · On-site

Fabricate full-suspension bicycle frames with elite accuracy and efficiency * Measure and record ... Work with our Production Engineering team to design and build new fixtures to level up and support ...

Aptera Motors

Sr Engineer, Chassis

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

Design, develop, engineer the vehicle suspension system, steering system and braking system and full integration with controls and the other vehicle systems. * Coordinate, create and interpret ...

CDM Technology

Be Seen First

Senior Engineer, Vehicle Chassis

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$175K - $240K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Chassis Engineer will lead the design, development, and integration of ... Design and develop suspension, steering, braking, and related chassis systems. * Perform chassis ...

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All JobsSuspension Design Engineer JobsSuspension Design Engineer Jobs in California

Suspension Design Engineer information

See California salary details

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$87K

$156.4K

How much do suspension design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for suspension design engineer in California is $86,995.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,100.00 and $97,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a suspension design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Suspension Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, expertise in vehicle dynamics, and proficiency in CAD software, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Experience with tools like CATIA, SolidWorks, and simulation software such as MATLAB/Simulink is common, along with knowledge of industry standards. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help set candidates apart. These competencies are crucial for designing safe, efficient, and innovative suspension systems that meet performance and regulatory requirements.

What is the difference between Suspension Design Engineer vs Chassis Engineer?

AspectSuspension Design EngineerChassis Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering, relevant certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning suspension systems, CAD modeling, testingDesigning chassis structures, integration, testing
Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, suppliersAutomotive manufacturers, racing teams
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Both Suspension Design Engineers and Chassis Engineers work in automotive design, often collaborating on vehicle performance. Suspension Engineers focus on developing and testing suspension systems to improve ride quality and handling, while Chassis Engineers work on the overall vehicle frame and structural integrity. Understanding their roles helps in choosing the right career path or job focus within automotive engineering.

What is a suspension design engineer?

Suspension Design Engineers are professionals who specialize in designing, developing, and testing vehicle suspension systems. These systems are crucial for ensuring ride comfort, handling, and safety by managing how a vehicle responds to road conditions. Suspension Design Engineers work closely with other automotive engineers to create components like springs, shock absorbers, and control arms, often using computer-aided design (CAD) software and simulation tools. Their role also involves prototyping, analyzing test data, and making improvements to meet performance and regulatory requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by suspension design engineers during the development process?

Suspension Design Engineers often encounter challenges related to balancing performance, comfort, and cost constraints. They must ensure that their designs meet strict safety and regulatory standards while also accommodating manufacturing limitations and tight deadlines. Additionally, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams—such as vehicle dynamics, manufacturing, and testing—requires strong communication and problem-solving skills to integrate feedback and quickly address unforeseen issues during prototyping and validation phases.

What are popular job titles related to Suspension Design Engineer jobs in California?

For Suspension Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Suspension Design Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Suspension Design Engineer jobs in California are:

Suspension Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Suspension Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,995 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Chassis Engineer, Suspension

Harbinger Motors Inc.

Garden Grove, CA

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Role Overview

As a Chassis Engineer, Suspension, you will be a foundational member of the engineering team at Harbinger, responsible for the design and delivery of high-performance mechanical suspension systems for our next-generation medium-duty electric vehicle platform. This role spans the entire product lifecycle-from initial benchmarking and architectural definition for front and rear axles to the final release of production-ready components. You will ensure that our electric vans and pickup trucks deliver industry-leading durability, safety, and ride quality while meeting the unique demands of heavy-battery packaging and commercial duty cycles.

Key Responsibilities
  • System Architecture: Define the mechanical suspension architecture for front and rear axles, ensuring seamless integration with electric drivetrains.
  • Design & Development: Transition suspension components from early concept through to fully manufacturable parts, including detailed packaging, layout, and refinement.
  • Benchmarking: Analyze the medium-duty segment to understand and exceed existing mechanical suspension standards for EVs and commercial trucks.
  • Technical Specifications: Translate vehicle-level requirements into granular component specifications and supplier-facing requirements.
  • Validation & Testing: Define and execute the Design Validation Plan (DVP), ensuring system safety and functionality with comprehensive reporting.
  • Supplier Management: Lead automotive suppliers through the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) process, overseeing part delivery, quality reports, and production milestones.
  • Documentation: Release complete engineering drawings and maintain a rigorous project issue list to ensure program milestones are met.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Education: * Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related field) + 5 years of relevant experience.
    • OR Bachelor's degree + 7 years of relevant experience.
  • Suspension Design: At least 5 years of experience in automotive suspension design specifically for commercial applications or pickup trucks.
  • EV Specialization: 5+ years of experience designing suspension systems specifically for electric or hybrid vehicles, with a deep understanding of EV-specific load paths.
  • CAD Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in CATIA v5 and/or v6, specifically for suspension kinematics modeling and clearance checking.
  • Manufacturing Expertise: Strong background in forging and casting design with a proven track record of launching multiple parts into production.
  • Load Path Analysis: Expert understanding of suspension load paths, static/dynamic loads, and the interplay between moving and rotating components.
  • Travel: Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically for supplier visits and testing.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Kinematic Automation: Experience developing CATIA v6 macros to automate and report clearances across a full range of suspension travel.
  • End-to-End Delivery: Demonstrated "cradle-to-grave" product development experience, taking chassis components from a blank sheet to mass production.
  • Systems Engineering: Strong ability to set high-level design requirements for complex assemblies and drive resolutions for multi-disciplinary technical issues.
  • Commercial Acumen: Familiarity with the specific durability and payload requirements of the medium-duty delivery and logistics sector.

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