Sr Design & Release Engineer (DRE) - Interior Cockpit

Slate Auto; City of Troy (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate is seeking a dynamic Sr Design & Release Engineer – Interior Cockpit to lead the design, development, and integration of phone holder, iPad mounts, and cockpit trim systems for Slate vehicles. You will manage mechanical retention, kinematics, and user interaction across the cockpit to ensure performance targets and regulatory compliance.

The role requires a mechanical/electrical/automotive background, 10+ years in automotive mechanism systems, and PLM release experience, with PPAP

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in automotive mechanism system engineering.
• Experience with at least 3 of: springs/hinges/detents, interior FMVSS/IIHS validation, plastic part design/injection molding, handheld device interface (HMI).

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, validation, and launch of phone/iPad holder and interior trim systems.
• Ensure packaging compatibility and interface alignment with cockpit and console.
• Define kinematics and usability for one-hand operation and ergonomic reach.
• Lead interface with adjacent systems (HVAC, body structures, soft trim, electrical).
• Coordinate with systems teams to meet vehicle functional objectives and PPAP documentation.
• Define functional objectives to meet performance and safety targets.
• Conduct supplier and internal technical reviews to resolve design issues.
• Ensure accessories are accommodated by the cockpit system.
• Define and integrate CC/SC with adjacent systems.
• Deliver products meeting quality and reliability for program milestones.
• Lead Design and Component Integration reviews at milestones.
• Validate mechanism systems through test loads and reports; review DV/PV results.
• Support prototype builds, DV/PV and launch readiness.

Skills

Automotive mechanism design

Project leadership

HMI design

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automotive Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

PLM

Microsoft Office

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

Slate is looking for a dynamic, experienced Sr Design & Release Engineer (DRE) – Interior Cockpit to join our growing team. This role will be responsible for leading the design, development, and integration of phone holder, iPad holding mechanisms, and cockpit trim component systems integrated within the vehicle cockpit for Slate vehicles. This includes mechanical retention systems, adjustability features, durability performance, and user interaction (HMI) considerations to ensure robust performance across all operating conditions. The individual will be responsible for understanding the vehicle’s technical specifications and performance targets. Utilizing the APQP process and supporting documentation, this position will ensure Slate’s quality, performance, and regulatory objectives are achieved and sustained throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Lead design, development, validation, and launch of phone/iPad holder/interior plastic trim systems including spring-loaded clamps, detent mechanisms, friction-based retention systems, and other injection-molded plastic trim systems


• Ensure proper packaging compatibility, interface alignment, and system-level functionality with the cockpit, console, etc.


• Define kinematics and usability (one-hand operation, ergonomic reach)


• Lead interface with adjacent systems (HVAC, body structures, soft trim, electrical, restraints)


• Work directly with adjacent systems teams to ensure phone/iPad holder integration meets vehicle functional objectives


• Define functional objectives to meet product performance and safety targets, ensuring products meet both functional performance and safety


• Conduct supplier and internal technical reviews to ensure packaging and design issues are addressed/resolved


• Work with affected teams to ensure accessories (removable trim covers, bins, glove box, finish panels, speaker systems, phone and iPad holders, and more) are properly accommodated by the cockpit system


• Ensure compatibility with interfacing systems and components, including attaching hardware and joint design


• Define and integrate critical characteristics (CC/SC) with adjacent systems


• Deliver products that meet quality and reliability requirements and arrive on time for program milestones, with all necessary PPAP documentation


• Lead Design and Component Integration reviews for each component/system at required milestones


• Ensure validation of mechanism systems, reviewing test loads, setups, reports, and results for both internal and external testing


• Support prototype builds, DV/PV, and launch readiness

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred


• 10+ years of experience in automotive mechanism system engineering


• Application-specific experience in at least 3 of the following areas/components:
  
  
  
  • Mechanical mechanisms (springs, hinges, detents)
  
  
  • Interior FMVSS, IIHS, and other 3rd-party rating validation
  
  
  • Plastic part design and injection molding
  
  
  • Handheld device interface and user interaction (HMI) design
  
  
  
  


• Experience working within a PLM, releasing components, and processing engineering changes


• Functional experience with NHTSA/FMVSS, CARB, EPA, FCC, or other regulatory requirements


• Ability to lead teams and meetings through technical tradeoffs and optimized solutions with attention to detail


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals


• Highly adaptable and proactive, excelling in fast-paced start-up and new model launch environments


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move 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 Aff…

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].