Staff Vehicle Controls Engineer

GILLIG; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

GILLIG is seeking a Staff Vehicle Controls Engineer to lead the development of control algorithms for critical body functions across all bus platforms, including zero-emission models. You will mentor engineers, define requirements, and ensure safety, regulatory, and performance targets are met.

This on-site role at the Livermore, CA plant reports to the Controls Engineering Manager. You will collaborate cross-functionally to integrate controls and drive reliability and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Engineering.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in a Controls Systems Engineering or Software Engineering role.
• Experience in automotive, transit and/or heavy-duty vehicle design required.
• Proven ability to collaborate with major component suppliers, engineering service suppliers, testing suppliers, and product validation engineers.
• Strong hands‑on leadership of troubleshooting, prototyping, testing, and validation, both onsite and at remote locations.
• Expert-level knowledge of vehicle communication protocols, including CAN‑Bus, LIN, and Ethernet.
• Prior lead roles in developing ladder logic, structured text, and/or model‑based development with Simulink plug‑ins such as Raptor and Motohawk.
• Expertise in MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow.
• Prior oversight and architecture development of integrated controls systems utilizing high and low voltage automotive hardware.
• Recognized authority with industry standards such as FMVSS, NHTSA, DOT, NFPA, SAE, and NEC.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the creation of functional requirements for vehicle behavior to ensure compliance with program requirements and standards.
• Architect communication interfaces and protocols for all vehicle systems while managing network loads.
• Contribute to design, development, testing, and implementation of advanced control algorithms for enhanced bus capabilities.
• Set technical standards and best practices for control development processes; mentor engineers.
• Develop and refine control models using MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow for real-time targets.
• Lead DFMEA, hazard and risk assessments to improve detection and reduce failures.
• Create environments to design, test, and refine electronic control systems pre-integration.
• Lead test plans for SIL/HIL and in-vehicle testing; support prototype builds.
• Develop vehicle diagnostics and troubleshooting guides; review content for customer manuals.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams; liaise with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement for control systems based on field data.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Advanced Engineering degree

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

Stateflow

Raptor

Motohawk

Job description

GILLIG Engineering is responsible for the development, customization, and configuration of GILLIG’s clean technology heavy-duty transit buses. We are committed to developing the most reliable buses that connect communities, eliminates congestion, and contributes to a greener environment. Our engineers are engaged in designing, analyzing, testing, launching, and problem solving across a wide range of technical areas.

The Controls Team is responsible for the development and integration of advanced control algorithms for critical body functions across all vehicle platforms. Working closely with cross-functional teams, they conduct rigorous testing and validation to ensure these algorithms meet functional requirements, comply with regulatory standards, and contribute to delivering high-quality, reliable transit buses to the market.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a Staff Vehicle Controls Engineer who will lead, oversee and drive the development of the control algorithms for critical body functions and systems across all vehicle platforms, including our first-in-class zero emission bus. In this role, you will provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to ensure that all algorithms meet safety, regulatory, reliability, and performance requirements. You will also drive the development of advanced vehicle diagnostics and comprehensive troubleshooting guides to assist technicians in effectively resolving bus-related issues. This role requires a highly-seasoned engineer who can make high-impact decisions, drive strategic technical & business initiatives, and ensure the successful delivery of controls algorithms for all buses.

This is a hands-on, on-site role at our Livermore, CA plant and reports to the Controls Engineering Manager.

TECHNICAL FOCUS

Body Controls

Develop and implement control algorithms for vehicle body systems, ensuring seamless integration of electrical, thermal, and mechanical subsystems and components, including HVAC, lighting, doors, and safety systems.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Lead and oversee the creation of functional requirements for vehicle behavior to ensure compliance with program requirements and standards. Fully architect communication interfaces and protocols for all vehicle systems, while ensuring communication network loads and traffic remain within design limits
• Be a prime stakeholder and contributor to the design, development, testing, and implementation of advanced control algorithms to improve both existing and future bus capabilities, including the design and implement customized algorithms for embedded controllers to optimize vehicle performance
• Set technical standards and best practices for control development processes. Provide guidance, mentorship, and direction to other engineers. Review and approve algorithms and specific code, ensuring adherence to safety, regulatory, and performance requirements
• Develop and refine control models using tools such as Simulink, MATLAB, and structured text for real-time embedded targets. Lead DFMEA, hazard, and risk assessments to identify and adjust controls logic to improve detection and minimize potential failures
• Create environments to design, test, and refine electronic control systems prior to their integration on a vehicle
• Lead the development of test plans in partnership with GILLIG Validation for control systems, including test strategies for software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and in-vehicle testing. Provide technical expertise during prototype builds and testing phases
• Have oversight and accountability for the development of advanced vehicle diagnostics and creation of detailed troubleshooting guides to support efficient issue identification and resolution. Review and approve technical contents in customer-facing bus manuals, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers, to integrate control systems into vehicles seamlessly. Serve as the key technical liaison with suppliers and stakeholders
• Drive continuous improvement efforts for control systems to enhance vehicle reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction. Analyze field data and feedback to identify areas for improvement

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

• Autonomy: Ability to work independently with review at critical points and may direct the activities of others. Accountable for results that may impact the entire department.
• Technically Minded: Serve as an expert in the field and key advisor. Provide, guide and use professional concepts in developing resolution to critical issues. Apply extensive knowledge of theories, practices and design matters. Lead the application of existing principles and guide development of new ideas.
• Time Management: Work is completed at a highly accelerated pace due to familiarity with subject matter and execution experience.
• Communication: Collaborate and teach up, down and across the organization to help raise the skills and knowledge of the GILLIG team. Create formal networks involving coordination among groups. Convey advanced information and persuade diverse stakeholders.
• Complexity: Work on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles. Require conceptual thinking to understand advanced issues and implications. Exercise independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Recognized internally as a subject matter expert.
• Quality & Standards: Technical documentation and deliverables are accurate and complete. Released designs are cost effective, manufacturable, serviceable, meet all performance objectives, & meet customer requirements.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Engineering
• Minimum 8 years of experience in a Controls Systems Engineering or Software Engineering role
• Experience in automotive, transit and/or heavy-duty vehicle design required
• Fluent with BOM, documentation control, and revision/version management; experience with configure-to-order products and modular BOM management is a plus
• Proven ability to collaborate with major component suppliers, engineering service suppliers, testing suppliers, and product validation engineers
• Strong hands‑on leadership of troubleshooting, product assembly, prototyping, testing, and validation, both onsite and at remote locations
• Demonstrated expertise and complex integration of open and closed loop control systems for sensors, actuators, body controllers, and ECUs
• Expert-level knowledge of vehicle communication protocols, including CAN‑Bus, LIN, and Ethernet
• Prior lead roles in developing ladder logic (e.g., Allen‑Bradley, Siemens PLC), structured text, and/or model-based development with Simulink plug‑ins such as Raptor and Motohawk.
• Expertise in MATLAB, Simulink, and Stateflow
• Prior oversight and architecture development of integrated controls systems utilizing high and low voltage automotive hardware, such as DCDC converters, motors, inverters, Li‑ion batteries, and high‑power chargers
• Recognized authority with industry standards such as FMVSS, NHTSA, DOT, NFPA, SAE, and NEC

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer
• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk and occasionally kneel or squat
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to navigate manufacturing environment, comfortable around heavy machinery, tools, etc.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment, (i.e. safety glasses, bump caps, hearing protection, etc.)
• Limited travel may be required

EXPECTED COMPENSATION

$162,000 - $202,500/annual salary + premium benefits

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

GILLIG is committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace that values and respects the unique talents, experiences, and perspectives of our employees and the people we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.