Staff Actuator Design Engineer

Ridealso
Palo Alto, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have 8+ years designing electromechanical actuators and experience with 3D modeling and CAD tools.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 8+ years of actuator design experience and expertise in precision motion mechanisms
    — “8+ years of experience designing electromechanical actuators”
  • Individuals with a background in 3D modeling and CAD tools like Catia and Ansys
    — “Proficient in 3D/2D CAD (Catia V5/V6 preferred) and skilled in CAE tools (Ansys, Abaqus, HyperWorks, or similar)”
  • Engineers who have mentored others and led design standards development
    — “Mentor and develop engineers through design reviews, technical guidance, and hands-on collaboration”

Things to consider

  • The role requires a high level of technical integration across mechanical and electrical systems
    — “Collaborate with electrical engineers to integrate PCBAs, wire harnesses, and electronic systems into mechanical designs”
  • This position demands coordination with external suppliers for validation and testing
    — “Coordinate validation efforts with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with motion transmission systems and tolerance stack-up analysis in your resume
    — “Design experience with precision motion mechanisms, including force/displacement amplification, mechanical linkages, and motion transmission systems”
  • Showcase your ability to lead DFMEAs and develop design verification plans
    — “Lead and maintain design failure mode and effects analyses (DFMEAs)”
  • Demonstrate your proficiency with 1D multiphysics simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or Amesim
    — “Ability to model mechanical behavior using MATLAB/Simulink, Amesim, or equivalent 1D multiphysics simulation tool”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • design, develop, and test electromechanical actuators
  • create detailed drawing packages
  • perform 3D modeling
  • collaborate with electrical and controls engineers
  • coordinate validation efforts
Typical background
BS/MS in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering8+ years of experience designing electromechanical actuatorsdeep understanding of motors, servo drives, and motion sensors

Skills & requirements

Required

Electromechanical Actuator Design3D ModelingCollaboration With Electrical And Controls EngineersValidation Efforts CoordinationDesign Verification PlansDfmeaHands-on Fabrication And Lab TestingActuator Design StandardsMentorship

Preferred

Low-level Drivers DevelopmentPCBA IntegrationWire Harness DesignPLM SystemsBOM StructuringEngineering ChangesDeviation Processes

Stack & domain

Electromechanical Actuator DesignMotor-driven Mechanisms3D ModelingDie CastingsInjection-molded PlasticsSheet MetalPowder MetalMetal Injection MoldingPCBA IntegrationWire Harness DesignControl StrategiesFirmware ImplementationMaterial PropertiesCoatingsHeat TreatmentStaticsDynamicsGD&TTolerance Stack-up AnalysisPythonCC++MatlabSimulinkAmesimAnsysAbaqusHyperworksCollaborationProblem-solvingCommunicationLeadershipTeamworkAdaptabilityElectric MobilityVehicle DesignMechanical EngineeringElectrical Engineering

About the role

Original posting from Ridealso via Ashby

About ALSO.

We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators, focused on creating entirely new (not to mention, innovative and delightful) vertically integrated, small EVs designed to meet the global mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones on vehicles that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.

ALSO is looking for a Staff Actuator Design Engineer to design the electromechanical actuators that control critical functions of next generation light electric vehicles, including but not limited to braking and steering systems. You will be a subject matter expert on actuation across our vehicle platforms, shaping how these systems are designed from first concept through production.

What You Will Do

  • Design, develop, and test electromechanical actuators and motor-driven mechanisms for light electric vehicle platforms
  • Create detailed drawing packages and manufacturing instructions for mechanical parts and assemblies
  • Perform 3D modeling of components and assemblies, including die castings, injection-molded plastics, sheet metal, powder metal, and metal injection molding
  • Collaborate with electrical engineers to integrate PCBAs, wire harnesses, and electronic systems into mechanical designs
  • Collaborate with controls engineers to ensure physical systems support robust control and seamless integration with embedded software
  • Coordinate validation efforts with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers
  • Develop and execute design verification plans and reports (DVP&R)
  • Lead and maintain design failure mode and effects analyses (DFMEAs)
  • Prototype and iterate designs using hands-on fabrication and lab testing to validate functionality
  • Set actuator design standards and best practices for the engineering team
  • Mentor and develop engineers through design reviews, technical guidance, and hands-on collaboration

What You Will Bring

  • BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
  • 8+ years of experience designing electromechanical actuators
  • Deep understanding of motors, servo drives, and motion sensors
  • Design experience with precision motion mechanisms, including force/displacement amplification, mechanical linkages, and motion transmission systems (spur, planetary, worm, cycloidal gearing, lead screws, and ball screws)
  • Deep understanding of the sources and effects of friction, damping, and backlash, and how to mitigate and control them
  • Ability to model mechanical behavior (e.g., stiffness, losses, backlash) using MATLAB/Simulink, Amesim, or equivalent 1D multiphysics simulation tool
  • Strong foundation in material properties, coatings, heat treatment, statics, and dynamics
  • Knowledgeable about control strategies and firmware implementation
  • Proficient in 3D/2D CAD (Catia V5/V6 preferred) and skilled in CAE tools (Ansys, Abaqus, HyperWorks, or similar)
  • Strong knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
  • Bonus: Proficient in developing low-level drivers using Python, C, and C++
  • Bonus: Design experience with PCBA integration and wire harness design
  • Bonus: Familiarity with PLM systems, BOM structuring, engineering changes, and deviation processes

The salary for this position ranges from $200,000 - $230,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

Perks and Benefits

  • Robust health coverage. Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by Also. with FSA & HSA options.
  • One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates.
  • Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny.
  • Flexible time off. 
  • 401(k) match.

Why ALSO.

We’re passionate about helping the world find a better way to get there—wherever it is you’re headed.

We’re located in the heart of Silicon Valley and have brought together a world-class team from some of the biggest brands in the technology, automotive, cycling, outdoor recreation and retail spaces. 

Together we’re working hands-on to imagine, design and build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges.

Source: Ridealso careers (Ashby)

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