Chassis Engineer, Suspension

Role Overview

As a Chassis Engineer, Suspension (Sustaining), you will be a critical member of the current production engineering team at Harbinger, responsible for maintaining, optimizing, and improving existing mechanical suspension systems for our medium-duty electric vehicle platforms.

This role is heavily focused on product lifecycle management-driving cost reductions, resolving manufacturing and supplier quality issues, and implementing engineering changes to improve reliability. You will ensure that our electric vans and pickup trucks continue to deliver industry-leading durability, safety, and ride quality by closely monitoring field performance and executing continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Continuous Improvement & VAVE: Identify and lead Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) initiatives to reduce component costs, improve manufacturability, and optimize existing suspension assemblies without compromising performance.
• Root Cause Analysis: Lead 8D problem-solving investigations for suspension-related field failures, warranty claims, and manufacturing defects, driving issues to permanent resolution.
• Engineering Change Management: Author, review, and execute Engineering Change Requests/Orders (ECRs/ECOs) for running changes, ensuring accurate updates to 3D models, 2D drawings, and Bill of Materials (BOM).
• Manufacturing Support: Partner directly with the vehicle assembly plant to rapidly resolve line-stop issues, address packaging anomalies, and improve assembly ergonomics for suspension components.
• Supplier Quality & Resourcing: Collaborate with supply chain and current suppliers to resolve ongoing quality issues, approve PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) updates, and support the technical validation of new or alternative suppliers.
• Validation & Testing: Define and execute targeted Design Validation Plans (DVPs) specifically for design revisions, cost-down initiatives, or localized supplier changes.
• Documentation & PLM: Maintain and update component specifications, DFMEAs, and rigorous project issue lists to ensure the health of the product through its lifecycle.

Required Skills & Experience

• Education: Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related field) + 5 years of relevant experience, OR a Bachelor's degree + 7 years of relevant experience.
• Sustaining Engineering: At least 5 years of experience in automotive suspension engineering, specifically focused on current production, sustaining engineering, or quality resolution for commercial applications/pickup trucks.
• EV Specialization: Experience managing suspension systems for electric or hybrid vehicles in series production, with a deep understanding of EV-specific load paths and battery packaging constraints.
• CAD Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in CATIA v5 and/or v6, with strong abilities in updating complex kinematics models, clearance checking for running changes, and maintaining legacy CAD data.
• Manufacturing Expertise: Strong background in forging, casting, and stamping production processes, with a proven track record of diagnosing and resolving manufacturing defects.
• Load Path Analysis: Expert understanding of suspension load paths, static/dynamic loads, and how field wear-and-tear impacts moving and rotating components over time.
• Travel: Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically for supplier quality audits, assembly plant support, and testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Production Track Record: Demonstrated experience managing series production engineering, specifically with successful warranty reduction and cost-saving (VAVE) campaigns.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Strong ability to collaborate seamlessly with manufacturing, quality, service, and supply chain teams to resolve multi-disciplinary technical issues quickly.
• Commercial Acumen: Familiarity with the specific durability and payload requirements, as well as the typical failure modes, of the medium-duty delivery and logistics sector.

Key Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision (HDV) - 100% employee covered
• Early-stage Stock Options
• Robust Retirement Savings (401k, HSA, FSA)
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) & Parental Leave
• Annual Vacation Bonus
• Wellness & Fertility Benefits
• Cell Phone Stipend
• Complimentary Meals & Stocked Kitchens

California Pay Range $120,000—$140,000 USD