Senior Vehicle Systems Engineer

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, eliminate congestion, and contribute to a greener environment. Our engineers are engaged in designing, analyzing, testing, launching, and problem solving across a wide range of technical areas.

GILLIG's Colorado Technical Center (CTC) is an engineering hub dedicated to advancing innovative technologies for GILLIG products. The Systems Engineering team defines requirements, develops system architecture, determines vehicle interfaces, and analyzes tradeoffs to conceptualize effective solutions. Acting as technical leaders, they drive the programs from inception to completion, work across departments to align designs, create validation plans, manage risks, ensure all requirements are met, and ultimately contribute to the delivery of high-quality, reliable transit buses to the market. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a Senior Systems Engineer who will be responsible for defining the requirements for the entire bus from vehicle-level to system-level, ensuring the designs meet safety, regulatory, and program requirements. You will develop and optimize processes to streamline the development cycles and ensure consistent quality results across all GILLIG programs. This role requires you to excel at solving complex problems, conceptualizing innovative solutions, and leading the integration of hardware and software into commercial products. As a technical expert, you will lead systems engineering in new development programs, partnering with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, technical excellence, and program success. You will be required to engage with diverse areas of expertise, including Control Systems, Electrical Systems, Mechanical Systems, and Thermal Systems.

This is a hands-on, on-site role at our Loveland, CO Colorado Technology Center (CTC) and reports to the CTC Systems Engineering Manager.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Define vehicle, system, and subsystem requirements to ensure vehicle systems meet functional, safety, and performance goals
• Break down program objectives (stakeholder needs) into actionable engineering requirements, identify potential shortfalls, and evaluate tradeoffs to develop practical solutions
• Lead program engineering requirement management from start to finish, ensuring all requirements are met at each stage of the development lifecycle. Provide technical leadership to ensure all design decisions align with defined system requirements and program objectives
• Conduct trade studies, lead design reviews, and perform technical assessments to determine optimal solutions for new and existing vehicle systems
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Electrical, Mechanical, Controls, and Validation Engineering, to drive system architecture and solutions throughout the development process
• Lead DFMEA and risk assessments to identify potential risks, resolve technical challenges, and ensure successful integration of all vehicle systems, subsystems, and components to deliver cohesive and optimized vehicle systems
• Support validation efforts to confirm that system performance meets safety, regulatory, and program requirements
• Use INCOSE principles to create standardized processes and workflows to implement systems engineering in product development, offering training and support for those involved
• Utilize requirements management tools such as Jama, DOORS, or TeamCenter/Polarion to document requirements, system design decisions, and validation results, ensuring full traceability to maintain transparency and support knowledge transfer across the organization.
• Determine, communicate, and track top-level design maturity
• Define and maintain a structure for vehicle functional systems. Coordinate functional architecture definition through means such as CONOPS, boundary and interface diagrams, and functional requirements
• Lead system-level diagnostics design, including architecture, protocol, use cases, implications on CAN design, and definition of deliverables to and from component-level hardware and software engineers

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 budget.
• 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 and precedent and adapt existing approaches to resolve issues. Use engineering principles, judgment, and interpretation to select the right course of action.
• Quality & Standards: Model and drawing documentation is 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 5 years of experience in Systems Engineering; heavy-duty and/or commercial vehicle experience is a plus
• Strong knowledge of vehicle systems, including powertrain, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and software integration
• Hands-on experience with requirements management tools such as Jama, DOORS, and Teamcenter/Polarion; proven track record of defining system requirements and ensuring compliance throughout the product lifecycle
• Experience working with major component suppliers, engineering service suppliers, testing suppliers, and product validation engineers
• Experience with low and high voltage components, including circuit breakers, relays, wiring, DCDC converters, motors, inverters, Li-ion batteries, and high-power chargers
• Proficiency with diagnostic standards (such as UDS and J1939) and tools
• Expertise in vehicle diagnostic systems, including familiarity with physical interfaces and access levels, experience troubleshooting with diagnostics, and an understanding of controller flashing.
• Experience with model-based embedded controls is a plus; experience with Matlab/Simulink is strongly recommended
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to ensure successful integration and alignment of system requirements
• Strong understanding of industry standards, including FMVSS, NHTSA, DOT, NFPA, SAE, NEC, and other relevant regulatory requirements
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead and motivate teams and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels

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.
• Limited travel may be required
• 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.)
• Typical start time is between 8:00AM MST

EXPECTED COMPENSATION

$75,000 - $160,000/annual salary + premium benefits  

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job classification, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

Other Duties

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.

GILLIG is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.