Principal Vehicle Safety Engineer

Slate Auto; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 123,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401k plan

Disability insurance

Paid vacation

Job summary

Slate is seeking a Vehicle Safety Engineer to plan, execute, and analyze crash performance for next‑generation electric products in the USA. The role drives sled, subsystem, and full‑vehicle crash programs, ensuring compliance with FMVSS, IIHS, and NCAP while guiding design improvements through data-driven insights.

Ideal candidates bring a strong background in CAE methods, occupant protection, and cross-functional collaboration, with 10+ years of automotive safety experience and a U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical/automotive/biomedical engineering required.
• 10+ years automotive vehicle safety experience.
• Experience with crash test setup, ATD prep, data acquisition, and restraint deployment.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and analyze crash tests to meet FMVSS/IIHS/NCAP standards.
• Lead sled, subsystem, and full-vehicle crash programs end-to-end.
• Coordinate safety asset builds, instrumentation, and data capture.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with design, CAE, manufacturing, and homologation teams.

Skills

Crash test planning

Regulatory knowledge

Data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Test instrumentation & data capture

CA E methods & correlation

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Automotive/Biomedical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

LS-DYNA

HyperView

Beta MetaPost

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. As a key member of our Safety team, you will play a critical role in shaping the crash performance, occupant protection, and high-voltage safety strategies for our next-generation electric products, ensuring they meet the highest safety standards. We are seeking a highly motivated Vehicle Safety Engineer to join Slate's Safety team. This role will be responsible for planning, executing, and analyzing the crash performance of our exciting new products.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Strong knowledge of FMVSS, IIHS, and NCAP protocols
• Experience with occupant performance assessment, restraint system development, occupant injury criteria, and occupant kinematics across regulatory and consumer rating crash modes
• Experience planning and executing quasi-static and dynamic crash tests
• Ability to interpret test data and translate results into actionable design improvements
• Hands-on experience with vehicle safety development across sled, subsystem, system, and full-vehicle levels
• Proven success working cross-functionally with internal teams and external test facilities
• Knowledge of sensing and calibration requirements for crash and restraint systems including implications when making or proposing deployment changes/trade-offs
• Understanding of vehicle design for structures, restraints, interior systems, and occupant protection solutions that meet regulatory and third-party requirements
• Knowledge of CAE methodologies and correlation for crashworthiness development
• Understanding of FMVSS 305 for electric vehicles, ensuring HV system post-crash integrity and compliance

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Plan, execute, and analyze crash tests to meet FMVSS, IIHS, NCAP, and internal standards
• Lead sled, subsystem, and full-vehicle crash programs, including fixture design specifications, test requests, test readiness reviews, and post-test debriefs with engineering and leadership teams
• Build and maintain test validation plans, including test asset usage, collaboration with test facilities, conducting pre- and post-test checks, and completing crash vehicle reviews and assessments
• Cross-functionally coordinate safety asset builds with correct content, develop test requests, and oversee instrumentation and data capture for crash sensing and restraint system development
• Lead occupant protection development activities including occupant injury assessment, restraint tuning, occupant kinematics evaluation, and correlation of CAE, sled, and vehicle test results to achieve safety performance targets
• CAE model-to-test correlation for structure and occupant performance
• Track test progress, manage the test matrix, and report status to program leadership
• Collaborate with design, CAE, manufacturing, and homologation teams to resolve structural, restraint, interior, sensing, occupant protection, and compliance issues
• Mentor junior engineers and influence cross-functional decisions to prioritize safety
• Engage with suppliers, third-party test facilities, auditors, and regulatory agencies as needed
• Stay up to date on vehicle safety regulations, rating protocols, and industry best practices
• Prepare and present clear technical summaries, findings, and recommendations for senior leadership

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Automotive, or Biomedical Engineering (Master's preferred)
• 10+ years of direct automotive experience in vehicle safety, crash testing, or restraint system development
• Experience with crash test setup, instrumentation, ATD preparation, data acquisition, and restraint deployment strategy
• Familiarity with CAD, CAE, and post-processing tools (e.g., LS-DYNA, HyperView, Beta MetaPost)
• Strong data analysis, correlation, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
• Six Sigma, DOE or DFSS training/certification preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical reports and presentations.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.
• We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

Salary Range

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 organizational factors.

Base Pay Range (Annual) $123,339.06 - $185,008.58 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?

• 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 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 accommodation 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].

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

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.