Manager Exterior Accessories, Engineering

Slate Auto; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 142,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Vacation

401(k) plan

Equity program

Discretionary incentive program

Job summary

Slate is seeking an Exterior Accessory Manager to lead a cross-functional team responsible for the design and integration of exterior accessories and related subsystems. You will develop plans, timelines, and deliverables aligned with program milestones, and collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality to ensure seamless system compatibility and performance.

The role requires 10+ years in design and release, a mechanical engineering degree, and exceptional leadership and communication

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical engineering and 10+ years in design and release.
• Experience with exterior components, environmental testing, and vehicle system integration preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills across design, manufacturing, and quality teams.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Exterior system design

Cross-functional leadership

Technical tradeoffs

Communication & teamwork

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—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.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Exterior Accessory Manager to lead a cross-functional team responsible for the successful design and integration of complex system of accessories and related systems. This role requires a strategic thinker with deep technical expertise, strong leadership skills, and a passion for delivering unique vehicles that meet safety, quality, and customer expectations.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• 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.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• 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.

Salary Range

The compensation for this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organization factors.

Base Pay Range (Annual) $141,806.80 - $212,710.20 USD

Additional Compensation and Benefits: Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

We’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. Slate’s start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness moves our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

Safety First

Delight Customers

One Team

Relentless Improvement

Fast, Frugal and Scrappy

Respectful Collaboration

Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE:

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affidavit 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].

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].

About Us

At Slate, we’ve got one job: building a vehicle you’ll fall in love with, right here in the USA. We believe that car buyers—not car companies—should call the shots. We like looking at a road, not a screen. We don’t like paying for stuff we don’t need. We like picking out the stuff we do need. We think dings are badges, not blemishes. But we know not everyone likes what we like. So, we built you a Slate: you make it yours.