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Suspension Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Aptera Motors Corp

Sr Engineer, Chassis

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$95 - $120/hr

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 ...

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All JobsSuspension Engineer JobsSuspension Engineer Jobs in California

Suspension Engineer information

See California salary details

$34.5K

$78.8K

$114K

How much do suspension engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for suspension engineer in California is $78,767.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,300.00 and $105,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a suspension engineer do?

A Suspension Engineer specializes in the design, development, and testing of vehicle suspension systems to optimize ride comfort, handling, and stability. They work with components like springs, dampers, control arms, and bushings to enhance performance and safety. Using computer-aided design (CAD) and simulation tools, they analyze suspension dynamics and collaborate with other engineers to refine designs. Their role may also involve testing prototypes, troubleshooting issues, and improving suspension setups for different driving conditions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a suspension engineer?

To thrive as a Suspension Engineer, you need strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, expertise in vehicle dynamics, and typically a degree in mechanical or automotive engineering. Familiarity with CAD software (such as CATIA, SolidWorks), simulation tools (like MATLAB/Simulink), and validation procedures, as well as industry certifications, are highly valuable. Excellent problem-solving skills, communication, and the ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams will help you excel in this role. These skills are crucial for designing safe, innovative, and reliable suspension systems that meet performance, comfort, and safety standards.

What are the main challenges a suspension engineer typically faces in their day-to-day work?

Suspension Engineers often face the challenge of balancing conflicting design requirements, such as optimizing ride comfort while maintaining handling performance. They must thoroughly analyze and test designs to meet strict safety and durability standards within tight project deadlines. Collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams, including chassis, manufacturing, and testing engineers, is common and essential for successful project completion. Staying up-to-date with new materials, technologies, and regulatory changes also requires continuous learning and adaptability in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Suspension Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Suspension Engineer jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

Suspension Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Suspension Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,767 per year, or $37.9 per hour.

Chassis Engineer, Suspension

Harbinger Motors Inc.

Garden Grove, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Role Overview

As a Chassis Engineer, Suspension (Sustaining), you will be a critical member of the current production engineering team at Harbinger, responsible for maintaining, optimizing, and improving existing mechanical suspension systems for our medium-duty electric vehicle platforms. This role is heavily focused on product lifecycle management-driving cost reductions, resolving manufacturing and supplier quality issues, and implementing engineering changes to improve reliability. You will ensure that our electric vans and pickup trucks continue to deliver industry-leading durability, safety, and ride quality by closely monitoring field performance and executing continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities
  • Continuous Improvement & VAVE: Identify and lead Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) initiatives to reduce component costs, improve manufacturability, and optimize existing suspension assemblies without compromising performance.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Lead 8D problem-solving investigations for suspension-related field failures, warranty claims, and manufacturing defects, driving issues to permanent resolution.
  • Engineering Change Management: Author, review, and execute Engineering Change Requests/Orders (ECRs/ECOs) for running changes, ensuring accurate updates to 3D models, 2D drawings, and Bill of Materials (BOM).
  • Manufacturing Support: Partner directly with the vehicle assembly plant to rapidly resolve line-stop issues, address packaging anomalies, and improve assembly ergonomics for suspension components.
  • Supplier Quality & Resourcing: Collaborate with supply chain and current suppliers to resolve ongoing quality issues, approve PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) updates, and support the technical validation of new or alternative suppliers.
  • Validation & Testing: Define and execute targeted Design Validation Plans (DVPs) specifically for design revisions, cost-down initiatives, or localized supplier changes.
  • Documentation & PLM: Maintain and update component specifications, DFMEAs, and rigorous project issue lists to ensure the health of the product through its lifecycle.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Education: Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related field) + 5 years of relevant experience, OR a Bachelor's degree + 7 years of relevant experience.
  • Sustaining Engineering: At least 5 years of experience in automotive suspension engineering, specifically focused on current production, sustaining engineering, or quality resolution for commercial applications/pickup trucks.
  • EV Specialization: Experience managing suspension systems for electric or hybrid vehicles in series production, with a deep understanding of EV-specific load paths and battery packaging constraints.
  • CAD Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in CATIA v5 and/or v6, with strong abilities in updating complex kinematics models, clearance checking for running changes, and maintaining legacy CAD data.
  • Manufacturing Expertise: Strong background in forging, casting, and stamping production processes, with a proven track record of diagnosing and resolving manufacturing defects.
  • Load Path Analysis: Expert understanding of suspension load paths, static/dynamic loads, and how field wear-and-tear impacts moving and rotating components over time.
  • Travel: Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically for supplier quality audits, assembly plant support, and testing.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Current Production Track Record: Demonstrated experience managing series production engineering, specifically with successful warranty reduction and cost-saving (VAVE) campaigns.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Strong ability to collaborate seamlessly with manufacturing, quality, service, and supply chain teams to resolve multi-disciplinary technical issues quickly.
  • Commercial Acumen: Familiarity with the specific durability and payload requirements, as well as the typical failure modes, of the medium-duty delivery and logistics sector.

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