Senior Accessories Project Engineer, Wheels & Suspension

Sr. Accessories Project Engineer – Wheel and Chassis 

ABOUT Slate

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.

Who we are looking for 

This role focuses on Physical Products specifically in the Wheel and Chassis categories. Reporting directly to the Head of Accessories Product Management, you play a major role in bringing products to life from a technical standpoint. Your primary responsibility is to work with the Accessories Product team to drive robust and innovative solutions that meet cost, technical, and quality targets. We’re looking for someone grounded in first principles who wants to innovate and is NOT confined to “the way it’s always been done.”  

What you get to do 

• Drive technical product development by innovating and bringing new customer-centric products to life with a focus on wheels, chassis, and related components.  
• Identify latest trends, technologies and new applications of existing technologies to be incorporated into our portfolio. This includes in-house benchmark testing and prototyping. 
• Collaborate with Vehicle Engineering to drive mechanical, electrical, and software integration provisions into the base vehicle to establish a solid foundation for future accessories.  
• You will lead project development to cost, mass, materials, manufacturability, sustainability, and timing targets. You own the BOM and support Product Managers on the roadmap.  
• Create OEM level DFMEA and DVP&R plans for each of your accessories, driving testing and validation activity with internal and external resources.  
• Provide technical leadership to design studio members, technical designers, and suppliers.  
• Lead design reviews, contribute to project updates, and present to cross-functional leadership. We share the spotlight!
• Travel to suppliers and Slate office sites (10-25% average) to support team and project work.  
• Have a lot of fun working on a dynamic and engaging team with a seat at the table.  

What you bring to the Team 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering is required, or extensive direct experience. MS/MBA a plus.
• 8+ years of experience in developing wheel and suspension components, including validation.
• Strong project/program management capability with examples of end-to-end development.
• Working knowledge of a variety of materials, manufacturing process, and testing requirements.
• Expertise with applied industry standards, including but not limited to, FCC, UL, ISO, FMVSS, etc.
• Working knowledge of structures, failure modes, and test protocol to validate designs.  
• CAD design and release experience is required. You do your own stunts!
• A collaborative “one company” teammate with a continuous improvement approach, that is equally comfortable with engineering details and project management.
• Comfortable in start-up environments. You can roll up your sleeves to do the work and build or recommend the tools needed to be successful as the company grows.
• Advocate for progress and possess capability to work cross-functionally with partners, suppliers, and vendors, building strong relationships that produce positive results. 

Long Beach, CA pay range- $119,662.2760 - $149,577.8450 

The stated pay scale reflects the range that Slate reasonably expects to pay for this position.  The actual pay rate and pay grade for this position will be dependent on a variety of factors, including an applicant’s years of experience, unique skills and abilities, education, alignment with similar internal candidates, marketplace factors, other requirements for the position, and employer business practices.  In addition to base pay, Slate also offers short-term and long-term incentive programs – 401k match, annual bonus and company equity, based on eligibility, along with a robust offering of benefit and wellness plans, HSA/FSA.

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 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 accommodations 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 [email protected].

The stated pay scale reflects the range that Slate reasonably expects to pay for this position.  The actual pay rate and pay grade for this position will be dependent on a variety of factors, including an applicant’s years of experience, unique skills and abilities, education, alignment with similar internal candidates, marketplace factors, other requirements for the position, and employer business practices.  In addition to base pay, Slate also offers short-term and long-term incentive programs – 401k match, annual bonus and company equity, based on eligibility, along with a robust offering of benefit and wellness plans, HSA/FSA.