Manager Exterior Accessories, Engineering

Slate Auto; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate Auto in Troy, Michigan, is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to spearhead the development and integration of exterior accessories. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in mechanical engineering and over 10 years of design and release experience. Responsibilities include collaborating across teams, developing integration plans, and validating system performance. Slate Auto emphasizes customization and aims to create vehicles that people can afford and personalize, fostering a vibrant and fast-paced work environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of design and release experience.
• Technical expert in exterior components and related systems preferred.
• Ability to lead teams and meetings through technical tradeoffs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development of exterior accessories.
• Develop and execute design and integration plans.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams.

Skills

Design and release experience

Communication skills

Team-building

Technical problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

DFMEA

DVP&R

GD&T

Design for Manufacturing

Lean

Job description

About Slate

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize, and love—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

• Lead the end-to-end development and integration of all exterior accessories and related sub-systems.
• Develop and execute design and integration plans, timelines, and deliverables aligned with program milestones.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure seamless system compatibility and performance.
• Identify and mitigate system risks through proactive problem‑solving and testing strategies.
• Oversee system‑level validation and verification activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory and internal standards.
• Communicate project status, challenges, and solutions to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
• Technical expert in exterior components and related systems; experience in environmental testing and vehicle system integration is preferred.
• 10+ years of design and release experience.
• Excellent communication, team‑building, time‑management, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to lead teams and meetings through technical tradeoffs and optimized solutions with attention to detail.
• Experience with technical tools such as DFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T, Design for Manufacturing, Lean, and other tool chains.
• Broad vehicle technical and vehicle development process knowledge, including how to set technical targets, work with teams to determine feasibility (virtually and physically), and validate with statistical confidence.
• Ability and desire to build your own team and work in a fun and fast‑paced environment.

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, or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].