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Vehicle Architecture Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Canoo

Lead Vehicle Architecture Engineer

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

$88K - $116K/yr

Job Title Lead Vehicle Architecture Engineer About Canoo Canoo's mission is to bring EVs to Everyone and build a world-class team to deploy this sustainable mobility revolution. We have developed ...

Polaris, Inc.

$109K - $144K/yr

Lead early-stage vehicle architecture development through system-level simulation, trade studies, and performance analysis. * Define and evaluate vehicle dynamic targets, attributes, and performance ...

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Vehicle Architecture information

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How much do vehicle architecture jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for vehicle architecture in the United States is $16.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Vehicle Architecture vs Vehicle Design?

AspectVehicle ArchitectureVehicle Design
Primary FocusOverall vehicle structure, systems integration, and engineering layoutExterior and interior aesthetics, styling, and user experience
Required SkillsMechanical engineering, systems integration, CAD, engineering principlesIndustrial design, creativity, CAD, ergonomics
Work EnvironmentEngineering labs, R&D centers, manufacturing plantsDesign studios, concept development labs
Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, engineering firmsAutomotive brands, design studios, suppliers

Vehicle Architecture focuses on the technical and engineering aspects of vehicle structure and systems, ensuring safety and functionality. Vehicle Design emphasizes aesthetics and user experience, shaping the vehicle's appearance and interior. Both roles are essential in automotive development but differ in their core responsibilities and skill sets.

What is vehicle architecture?

Vehicle architecture refers to the fundamental design and structural layout of a vehicle, including how its major systems—such as the chassis, powertrain, electrical systems, and body components—are organized and integrated. It serves as the blueprint for vehicle development, ensuring that all parts work together efficiently to meet safety, performance, and regulatory requirements. Vehicle architects play a crucial role in balancing factors like weight, cost, manufacturing complexity, and future scalability when defining these frameworks.

How does a vehicle architecture professional typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the development process?

Vehicle Architecture professionals regularly work with design, engineering, manufacturing, and electronics teams to ensure all vehicle systems integrate seamlessly. They facilitate communication between different departments to resolve technical challenges and align on requirements, timelines, and budgets. This role often involves coordinating design reviews, troubleshooting integration issues, and making decisions that balance performance, cost, and manufacturability. Effective collaboration is essential for delivering a cohesive vehicle that meets safety, regulatory, and customer expectations.

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

To thrive as a Vehicle Architect, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, with expertise in vehicle systems integration and design principles. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of industry standards such as ISO 26262 or AUTOSAR is typically essential. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication set candidates apart in managing complex projects and cross-functional collaboration. These skills ensure that vehicle designs meet safety, performance, and regulatory requirements while fostering innovation and efficiency.
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What job categories do people searching Vehicle Architecture jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Vehicle Architecture jobs are:

Vehicle Architecture jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vehicle Architecture job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 37% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,639 per year, or $16.2 per hour.

Lead Vehicle Architecture Engineer

Canoo

Oklahoma City, OK • On-site

$88K - $116K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Job Title
Lead Vehicle Architecture Engineer
About Canoo
Canoo's mission is to bring EVs to Everyone and build a world-class team to deploy this sustainable mobility revolution. We have developed breakthrough electric vehicles that are reinventing the automotive landscape with pioneering technologies, award-winning designs, and a unique business model that spans all owners in the full lifecycle of the vehicle. Canoo is starting production and is distinguished by its pioneering and experienced team of technologists, engineers, and designers. With offices around the country, the company is scaling quickly and seeking candidates who love to challenge themselves, are motivated by purpose, and possess a strong desire to get things done.
The "Canoo Way"
Canoo's success is the direct result of our disciplined application of our core operating principles and drills, which are based on three main principles: Think 80/20 ("Important versus less important"), Act 30/30 ("Reduce waste and increase output"), and Live 90/10 ("We have each other's back"). We hire based on "MET" - Mindset, Equipment and willingness to Train - and seek individuals that take accountability and deliver results being Humble, Hungry to succeed, and Hunting for opportunities to win. We train our team to engage with each other by modulating between their intellect (iQ) and emotional intelligence (eQ) applying Facts, Finesse, and Force when they communicate. The principles and drills of the CANOO Way have been fundamental to our success, our ability to grow, continuously improve, innovate and are at the core of our day-to-day operations.
Job Purpose
The Lead Vehicle Architecture Engineer is responsible for defining, designing, integrating and validating the LV electrical system with an emphasis on safety, regulations, vehicle performance, and targets.
Responsibilities (80s of the Position)
  • Gather electrical and system requirements from all stakeholders and translate into an electrical system design that fulfills all requirements.
  • Collaborate with LV electrical component design release engineers to define and validate electrical interface requirements for all vehicle electrical components.
  • Aid in designing and maintaining vehicle level electrical architecture.
  • Aid in designing and maintaining the wire harness electrical design and its components (wire harness connector/symbol library, logical design, wire schematics).
  • Aid in evaluating and implementing changes to the overall electrical system.
  • Documentation of design and change processes.
  • Hands on testing, installation, and validation of prototype vehicle wire harnesses.
  • Good communication with the rest of the organization when issues or concerns arise.

Required Experience
  • Bachelor's Degree in a STEM program
  • 7+ year's experience with automotive electrical systems.
  • Highly experienced with Mentor Graphics tools:
    • Proficient in creating and maintaining projects, options, and variants in Capital Project.
    • Proficient in creating and maintaining vehicle logical architecture in Capital Logic.
    • Experience with Capital Harness XC and Capital Integrator.
    • Experience creating and maintaining components in Capital Library.
  • Familiarity with CAN, LIN, GMSL, Ethernet communications and the tools used to interface with them.
  • Hands-On experience working with electronic systems and all traditional lab equipment (DMM, Oscilloscope, Logic Analyzers, Power Supplies).
  • Experience troubleshooting automotive electrical systems.

Preferred Experience
  • Prior experience in an electrical architecture, integration, or hardware design role.
  • Experience root causing electrical and software related issues.
  • Experience with CAN tools (Vector or similar).
  • Experience with prototype vehicles, electric vehicles, motorsports, motorsport electronics, aviation electronics, or heavy vehicles.
  • Demonstrated high capability hands-on automotive electrical/systems troubleshooting experience.

Travel Requirements
  • Up to 10% travel depending on program phase.

Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, employees may be required to lift up to 25 or more pounds, stand, sit, bend/stoop, or operate office equipment or machinery.
Reasonable Accommodations
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
What's Cool About Working Here...
  • Meaningful, challenging work that will redefine automotive landscape and make EVs available to everyone
  • Comprehensive Health Insurance
  • Equity Compensation
  • Flexible Paid Time Off
  • Casual workplace with an unbelievable feeling of energy

Canoo is an equal opportunity-affirmative action employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, past or present military service or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.
Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted in response to our job posting shall be considered the property of Canoo Inc. and its subsidiaries and are not subject to payment of referral or placement fees if any such candidate is later hired by Canoo unless you have a signed written agreement in place with us which covers the applicable job posting.
Canoo maintains compliance with the OFCCP. As such, please feel free to review the following information:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/olms/poster/labor-rights-federal-contractors
If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please call (214) 529-8055 or email us at TalentAcquisition@canoo.com
Equal Employment Opportunity Posters
Equal Employment Opportunity Posters | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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