Senior Mechanical Engineer - Structures and Suspension
GILLIG · California
📍 Livermore, CA💰 $75,000 - $163,570via greenhousePosted 2026-06-22
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As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in the environmental and social initiatives in communities across our nation. GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation in the industry for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support. From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA.
WHY GILLIG
Leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, near-zero CNG and clean diesel transit buses
Renowned for its inclusive team/family-oriented culture
Stable, successful, and growing organization – a Bay Area business for over 132 years!
Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
Excellent compensation including company paid medical premiums, generous retirement plan and other comprehensive benefits
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
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.
Mechanical Engineering is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing mechanical systems and components, such as chassis, HVAC, interior layout, and powertrain integration to ensure safety, durability, and performance. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet regulatory standards, troubleshoot issues during production, and ensure cost-effective and efficient designs tailored to the needs of heavy-duty transit buses.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Senior Mechanical Engineer is focused on the design and industrialization of content for GILLIG’s continuously evolving product line. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will have influence over complex vehicles, systems, and component level designs. Duties involve engineering assistance, problem resolution, mechanical design, BOM development, application research & other engineering duties in support of the manufacturing of heavy-duty transit buses. This person will have direct influence in the design of components and assemblies as well as mentoring other engineers within the engineering teams. This is a direct, full-time position with GILLIG.
This is a hands-on, on-site role at our Livermore, CA plant and reports to the Manager – Powertrain & Structures but may also receive direction and guidance from senior engineers.
TECHNICAL FOCUS
Structures & Suspension
The GILLIG bus consists of many welded, bolted, and riveted joints that make up the primary structural elements of the bus. Fluent knowledge of sheet metal design from component to assembly, including steel, stainless steel, and aluminum fabrications, extrusions, and castings is a typical daily demand. Along with the structural aspect of the bus, the vehicle’s suspension, steering, braking, and pneumatic systems are integral to this group. This position requires the ability to review customer specifications & requirements and deliver chassis & body structure designs as well as suspension, steering, and pneumatic brake systems that meet these needs. The Structures team has consistently been where engineering mechanics, thermo-fluids, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) all collide.
IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL
Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOM), defining appropriate application of parts & assembly; providing input on modular BOM structure to maintain and improve configuration efficiency
Gather information regarding supplier components, existing GILLIG designs and technological advancements to rationalize and optimize design concepts
Perform design trade-offs and optimization to devise robust, manufacturable, and maintainable design concepts
Use 2D and 3D CAD tools to create, review & release vehicle components and assemblies
Use analytical tools to assess your designs and others, including but not limited to stress, vibration, thermal performance, and durability
Gain a mastery of both Customer & Design REI releases, including significant involvement in BOM structuring, Change Control, Production Change Order (PCO), and Engineered Production Change
Support designs throughout the entire lifecycle, including development, production launch, variant designs & customization, and field support
Provide expert input working with the test engineer(s) to create DVP&R, execute the defined test plan and review the test results/reports
Provide technical input to technical publications
Collaborate and iterate designs with cross-functional partners such as electrical, controls, manufacturing engineers, as well as production personnel
Operate in a primary role, proposing solutions to more senior engineers or management for evaluation
SCOPE OF THE ROLE
Autonomy: Ability to work independently with review at critical points
Technically Minded: Apply industry practices and standards (NFPA, NEC, APTA, etc.) and provide input and advice to other staff members on industry practices and standards. Exhibit advanced wide-ranging experience, using in-depth professional knowledge, acumen, concepts and company objectives to develop, resolve complex models and procedures
Time Management: Work productively to deliver projects on schedule and on budge
Communication: Collaborate and teach up, down and across the organization to help raise the skills and knowledge of the GILLIG team. Adapt style to differing audiences and adept at persuasion on complex subjects
Complexity: Responsible for a certain set of commodities or design elements within the team. Work on problems of diverse scope where analysis of information requires evaluation of multiple factors. Devise solutions based on limited information
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