Staff Chassis Engineer, Steering and Braking Actuation

Zoox; Banbury; On-site; GBP 111,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoox seeks a Staff Engineer on the Chassis Actuator team to own end-to-end design and release of steering and braking hardware and software for its autonomous platform. You will develop mechanical hardware, software, and electromechanical systems, ensuring performance and integration through cross-functional collaboration with Vehicle Integration and related teams.

You will model and release CAD drawings with precise GD&T, define multi-domain requirements, lead testing, validate system

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace or related field with 12+ years of industry experience.
• Experience designing and releasing complex components using advanced 3D CAD tools and GD&T.
• Experience with steer-by-wire and/or brake-by-wire systems in automotive contexts.
• Strong understanding of electromechanical actuators, NVH, safety-critical architectures, and cost/mass targets.
• Proven ability to lead requirements, validation plans, and cross-functional programs.

Responsibilities

• Own the product lifecycle of steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems from concept to production.
• Design and release 3D CAD models and 2D drawings with GD&T for internal and supplier production.
• Define and manage component and system requirements across mechanical, electrical, NVH, and EMC domains.
• Lead component testing, develop new validation methodologies, and analyze data to confirm system integrity.
• Manage supplier engagements to co-develop designs and ensure on-time delivery of hardware and software.

Skills

Product lifecycle ownership

3D CAD design

GD&T

Systems integration

Supplier engagement

Data analysis

Testing and validation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace

12+ years of experience

Tools

CATIA V5/V6 or 3DX

ASME Y14.5 GD&T

CANalyzer/CANoe, dSPACE

Polarion/Jira/Confluence

Job description

At Zoox, you will collaborate with a world-class, multidisciplinary engineering team spanning AI, robotics, mechatronics, computer vision, and automated testing. Because a robot is in control of the vehicle, you will be constantly challenged to rethink traditional engineering paradigms to design elegant, ultra-efficient hardware systems from the ground up. Working in this agile, forward-thinking environment gives you the unique opportunity to manifest your creativity, push the boundaries of vehicle dynamics, and directly shape the future of autonomous mobility.

As a Staff Engineer on the Chassis Actuator team specializing in Steering and Braking Systems, you will hold end-to-end design and release responsibility for the components powering our innovative autonomous by-wire platform. Sitting at the intersection of hardware and software, you will lead the development, execution, and delivery of critical engineering milestones for an active chassis system.

You will manage Tier 1 supplier relationships to deliver high-performance hardware and controls software while aggressively meeting cost, weight, timing, and performance targets. Your scope will span from core component development to system integration support and hands-on vehicle-level testing and CAN signal analysis. Working in a highly cross-functional environment, you will bridge the gap between physical hardware and autonomous execution, collaborating daily with Vehicle Integration, Func

In this role, you will:

• Own the product lifecycle of the Zoox Robotaxi steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems from initial concept through production, managing the development of mechanical hardware, software, and complex electromechanical systems.
• Design and release 3D CAD models and 2D drawings with appropriate GD&T for both internal fabrication and external supplier production.
• Define and manage comprehensive component and system requirements, encompassing mechanical, electrical, NVH, static and dynamic loading, mass, and thermal-mechanical or electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) domains, to guarantee robust performance and integration of the steering and braking systems.
• Lead component testing and characterization, which includes developing innovative testing methodologies, analyzing complex data, and validating system integrity.
• Manage strategic supplier engagements to co-develop component designs, review engineering documentation, and ensure on-time delivery of critical hardware and software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with 12+ years of industry experience.
• Proven track record of designing and releasing complex components using advanced 3D CAD tools (ideally CATIA V5/V6 or 3DX) and authoring 2D production drawings utilizing ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards.
• Experience developing steer-by-wire (SbW), and/or brake-by-wire (BBW) systems and managing hardware and controls development timelines at an automotive OEM or large Tier 1 supplier.
• Deep technical understanding of electromechanical actuators, brushless DC motors, precision gear systems, electrical integration, safety-critical system architecture, NVH mitigation, functional safety, and cost & mass target management.
• Demonstrated experience authoring technical requirements and executing validation test plans across component, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and full-vehicle test assets.
• Strong familiarity with automotive product development processes (e.g., APQP, phase-gate reviews) and a proven ability to manage long-term engineering schedules and deliverables.

Bonus Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. is a plus
• CAN & Network skills
• Vector CANalyzer/CANoe, dSPACE experience
• Polarion, Jira, and Confluence experience

International Relocation Requirement (Foster City, CA, USA)

This role is initially based in the UK, with a mandatory requirement to relocate to Foster City, California (San Francisco Bay Area) after 12 months. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon obtaining valid US work authorization and visa eligibility. Company visa sponsorship and relocation assistance details will be provided during the interview process.

£111,000 - £153,000 a year

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

About Zoox

Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We're looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

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Accommodations

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [e-mail] or your assigned recruiter.

A Final Note

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.