Manager Drivetrain Test Engineer

Socket.dev; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust health coverage

401(k) match

One Medical membership

Progyny fertility benefits

Flexible time off

Job summary

ALSO in Silicon Valley is seeking a Manager of Drivetrain Test Engineering to lead the validation of electromechanical actuation systems across light EV platforms. You will build and guide a high-performing team, set priorities, and shape the validation framework from concept through production.

Key responsibilities include defining validation strategies, developing infrastructure, and collaborating with Mechanical Design, Electrical, Controls, and Manufacturing to ensure durability, efficiency,

Qualifications

• Proven experience building, leading and growing high-performing test engineering teams.
• Strong background in electromechanical validation and test program execution (DVP&R).
• Experience with powertrain components and actuation systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of test engineers and technicians responsible for drivetrain validation and laboratory operations.
• Recruit, coach, and develop engineering talent while fostering a culture of technical excellence and ownership.
• Own the drivetrain test engineering organization by setting priorities and developing capability across vehicle programs.
• Define and execute validation strategy, test specs, schedules, and End-of-Line production test profiles from concept to production.
• Develop and maintain world-class test infrastructure, calibration, and safety programs.
• Establish engineering standards, test methodologies, and automated validation practices.
• Lead cross-functional validation with Mechanical Design, Electrical, Controls, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and PM.

Skills

Test program leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

DVP&R knowledge

Root cause investigations

Engineering leadership

Tools

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

Job description

About ALSO.We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators, focused on creating entirely new (not to mention, innovative and delightful) vertically integrated, small EVs designed to meet the global mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones on vehicles that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.

ALSO is looking for a Manager of Drivetrain Test Engineering to lead the development of next-generation electromechanical actuation systems used throughout our light electric vehicle platforms. This leader will build and develop a high-performing team responsible for validating actuators, motors, geartrains, structural components, sensing, and electronics integration from concept through production.

What You Will Do

• Build, lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of test engineers and technicians responsible for drivetrain validation and laboratory operations.
• Recruit, coach, and develop engineering talent while fostering a culture of technical excellence, ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Own the drivetrain test engineering organization by setting priorities, allocating resources, and developing organizational capability across multiple vehicle programs.
• Define and execute the overall validation strategy, including DVP&R, test specifications, validation schedules, and End-of-Line (EOL) production test profiles from concept through production.
• Develop and maintain world-class test infrastructure, laboratory capabilities, equipment readiness, calibration, safety, and operational excellence.
• Establish engineering standards, test methodologies, automation frameworks, and best practices that improve validation quality, repeatability, and efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional validation activities with Mechanical Design, Electrical, Controls, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure products meet performance, durability, NVH, efficiency, safety, and reliability targets.
• Review validation results, drive root cause investigations, and lead corrective actions for design, manufacturing, supplier, and field quality issues.

What You Will Bring

• Proven experience building, leading, and developing high-performing engineering test programs.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex electromechanical products from concept through production using structured validation methodologies.
• Deep understanding of EV powertrain systems, including electric motors, gearboxes, inverters, batteries, electromechanical actuators, and their associated validation requirements.
• Extensive experience with drivetrain testing, including performance, durability, thermal, environmental, efficiency, NVH, and End-of-Line (EOL) validation.
• Experience developing and managing advanced test infrastructure, including dynamometers, HIL systems, environmental chambers, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and laboratory equipment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proficiency in MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent tools, and experience leading failure analysis and root cause investigations.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals, product development processes, and quality systems, including DVP&R, DFMEA, PFMEA, APQP, and requirements traceability.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to influence technical direction and develop high-performing engineering organizations.

The salary for this position ranges from $190,000 - $250,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Perks and Benefits

• Robust health coverage.
• Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by Also.
• with FSA & HSA options.
• One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates.
• Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny.
• Flexible time off.
• 401(k) match.

Why ALSO

We’re passionate about helping the world find a better way to get there—wherever it is you’re headed.

We’re located in the heart of Silicon Valley and have brought together a world-class team from some of the biggest brands in the technology, automotive, cycling, outdoor recreation and retail spaces. Together we’re working hands-on to imagine, design and build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges.