Job Description & Details
This is a hands-on R&D role where you will be knee-deep in building, wiring, and troubleshooting physical hardware for autonomous vehicles. If you enjoy rapid prototyping, wrenching on complex systems, and working without a rigid playbook, this gig gives you the autonomy to build cutting-edge tech from scratch.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
Expect to spend your days bouncing between vehicle builds, PCBA rework, wire harness assembly, and machining custom fixtures. You'll work closely with Hardware Engineering to take raw designs, figure out why they don't quite fit in the physical prototype, and modify them on the fly. Things move fast here, so you'll need to keep pristine documentation of your builds and shop processes while dealing with the chaos of an R&D environment.
The Core Tech Stack
You need serious, deep-rooted mechanical aptitude and a firm grasp of automotive or trucking systems. Being able to read complex schematics, engineered drawings, and wiring layouts is non-negotiable. On the software and tooling side, expect to use CAD platforms like SolidWorks or Catia to design quick fabrication fixtures, and be comfortable navigating Windows, Mac, or Linux environments.
Interview Expectations
When you talk to the engineering team, they are going to test your real-world troubleshooting methodology. They will likely present a scenario where a custom mechanical assembly or sensor integration fails unpredictably during a thermal test, and they'll want to hear how you systematically isolate the issue between electrical, firmware, and hardware domains. They aren't looking for textbook answers; they want to see your practical grit and how you handle ambiguity when a prototype breaks right before a deadline.
Application Advice
Make sure your resume leans hard into your hands-on prototyping and automotive build history rather than high-level theoretical experience. Explicitly highlight keywords like SolidWorks, Catia, schematic reading, PCBA rework, and harness build, as these will get past the initial ATS flags. Tie your past achievements to physical outcomes—mention specific tools, custom fixtures you've designed, or complex mechanical assemblies you've diagnosed under pressure.