Senior Validation Engineer, Suspension

Zoox; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 228,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights

Amazon RSUs

Health insurance

Paid time off

Long-term care insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Zoox is seeking a Senior Validation Engineer to own a robust validation process for chassis suspension systems, from requirements development through report approval, collaborating with design, vehicle dynamics, suppliers, and test houses to deliver a safe, well-tested product for autonomous mobility.

You will lead DV plans, test execution, and root cause analyses, while driving accountability with partners and communicating risk to program leadership across concurrent vehicle programs.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical, Automotive, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of test or validation experience with chassis or suspension components and systems.
• Strong experience with DVP&R and with failure and root cause analysis (8D).
• Demonstrated ability to manage external test houses and suppliers, including driving accountability with partners.
• Excellent communication skills: able to represent suspension clearly across functions and up to program leadership, flagging risk early and driving alignment.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute Design Verification Plans (DVP&R) for suspension components and systems, from requirements development through report approval, by collaborating with design and vehicle dynamics to ensure requirements (ride and handling, durability, NVH, kinematics, and compliance) are captured in the plan.
• Create and review test plans, RFQs, and procedures; execute component, rig, and vehicle-level testing such as durability, characterization, and performance tests.
• Manage supplier and third-party test-house execution, driving schedule, quality, reporting, and responsiveness, and holding partners accountable through supplier transitions.
• Own in-house validation of applicable components: perform test setups, design fixtures, and develop any new test equipment needed to conduct tests.
• Lead root cause analysis (8D, etc.) on DV and field failures, provide mitigation and design-improvement recommendations, and feed lessons learned forward across concurrent programs.

Skills

DVP&R

8D root cause analysis

Supplier management

Communication across functions

Suspension validation

Education

BS in Mechanical/Automotive engineering

MS in Mechanical/Automotive engineering

Equivalent experience

Tools

Servo-hydraulic actuators

MAST

4-poster rig

Corner rigs

Damper dynamometers

K&C rigs

DAQ

Load cells

Accelerometers

LVDT

Pressure transducers

Thermocouples

Job description

The Component and System Hardware Validation team at Zoox is responsible for ensuring components and subsystems on the Zoox robotaxi met all functional and reliability targets needed to facilitate our autonomous mobility service. Our team has an action-biased culture marked by integrity, humility, competence, and passion for the Zoox mission and the systems we design. We are building the future of public mobility and are looking for enthusiasts who would contribute to the cause.

As a senior validation engineer, you will own and execute a robust, rigorous validation process from requirements development through report approval for our chassis suspension systems. You will lead validation of our suspension and its sub-components (struts, fluid and pneumatic systems, valves, lines, and actuators), as well as full system testing, working closely with design, vehicle dynamics, supplier partners, and third-party test houses. This is a deep, ownership level role spanning concurrent vehicle programs, where you will carry the design and failure history forward and represent suspension in cross-functional and program level decisions. You will help deliver a safe, well-tested, and robust product that contributes to our goal of making personal transportation safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable for everyone.

In this role, you will:

• Own and execute Design Verification Plans (DVP&R) for suspension components and systems, from requirements development through report approval, by collaborating with design and vehicle dynamics to ensure requirements (ride and handling, durability, NVH, kinematics, and compliance) are captured in the plan.

• Create and review test plans, RFQs, and procedures; execute component, rig, and vehicle-level testing such as durability, characterization, and performance tests.

• Manage supplier and third-party test-house execution, driving schedule, quality, reporting, and responsiveness, and holding partners accountable through supplier transitions.

• Own in-house validation of applicable components: perform test setups, design fixtures, and develop any new test equipment needed to conduct tests.

• Lead root cause analysis (8D, etc.) on DV and field failures, provide mitigation and design-improvement recommendations, and feed lessons learned forward across concurrent programs.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical, Automotive, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent experience.

• 8+ years of test or validation experience with chassis or suspension components and systems.

• Strong experience with DVP&R and with failure and root cause analysis (8D).

• Demonstrated ability to manage external test houses and suppliers, including driving accountability with partners.

• Excellent communication skills: able to represent suspension clearly across functions and up to program leadership, flagging risk early and driving alignment.

Bonus Qualifications

• Active or semi-active suspension experience (air suspension, active/adaptive dampers).

• Vehicle dynamics/ride and handling, NVH, or kinematics and compliance (K&C) background.

• Hands-on experience with lab, rig, and measurement equipment such as servo-hydraulic actuators / MAST / 4-poster / corner rigs, damper dynamometers, K&C rigs, DAQ, and associated sensors (load cells, accelerometers, LVDT, pressure transducers, thermocouples).

$190,000 - $228,000 a year

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate’s relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

About Zoox

Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [e-mail] or your assigned recruiter.

_ A Final Note: _

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.