Design Release Engineer - Steering Wheel & Front Airbags

Slate Auto LLC; United States; On-site; USD 108,877 - 163,315; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Slate Auto LLC is seeking a Design Release Engineer to develop and certify airbags and steering wheel systems in collaboration with design, engineering, and Tier‑1 suppliers. You will lead cross‑functional teams to ensure safety, performance, and regulatory compliance across the vehicle platform.

The role requires 8+ years in airbags/steering wheel design release, strong programs management, and a proven ability to drive technical tradeoffs with attention to detail. Working in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (ABET accredited program preferred).
• 8+ years of Design Release Engineering in airbags and/or steering wheels.
• Experience with vehicle safety development processes (NHTSA/FM VSS, NCAP, IIHS).
• Strong communication, teamwork and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead teams and tier‑one suppliers and drive technical tradeoffs.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis (visa sponsorship not available).

Responsibilities

• Develop functional requirements for vehicle systems and components including airbags and steering wheels.
• Develop technical requirements in collaboration with internal functions, design studio, engineering and Tier‑1 suppliers.
• Lead or support design, development, release and certification using APQP, DFMEAs, DVP&Rs and related tools.
• Manage Tier‑1 supplier engineers and external resources to optimize solutions.
• Ensure vehicle specifications and performance targets are met by maintaining APQP documentation.

Skills

Airbag systems

Steering wheels

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Supplier management

APQP

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master’s in engineering

Job description

About Slate

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

Responsibilities

• Develop functional requirements for each system and component including steering wheel & frontal airbags.
• Develop technical requirements for the systems and components in collaboration with internal functions, design studio, engineering and Tier‑1 suppliers.
• Lead/Support the design, development, release and certification of the systems and components with product development tools – CAE, CAD, BOM, Drawing Release, Software Release, DFMEAs, DVP&Rs, Attribute Validation, Vehicle Testing, Component Testing, and Certification Reporting for all regulatory requirements.
• Manage tier‑1 airbag supplier engineers, external resources and collaborate across vehicle component areas as needed to optimize application solutions.
• Ensure that vehicle technical specifications and performance targets are met throughout the life of the vehicle by creating and maintaining APQP documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, or equivalent from an ABET accredited program (preferred).
• Master’s in engineering preferred.
• 8+ years of Design Release Engineering in airbags and/or steering wheels.
• Experience and knowledge of the vehicle‑level safety development process.
• Excellent communication, team‑building and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to lead teams and tier‑one suppliers and integrate and drive technical tradeoffs and optimized solutions with attention to detail.
• Direct working experience with NHTSA/FMVSS, NCAP, and IIHS Crash Requirements.
• Ability and desire to build your own team and work in a fun and fast‑paced environment.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis; visa sponsorship is not available.

Benefits

Salary Range (Annual) $108,877.26 – $163,315.90. Additional Compensation and Benefits: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401(k). The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to applicable rules.

EEO Statement

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures.