Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Vehicle Assembly & Test

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 Manufacturing Engineer for Vehicle Final Assembly & Test, based in Palo Alto, CA with experience working with internal design teams on DFM and scaling initiatives for passenger or autonomous vehicles. You will be a key direct contributor to launching the manufacturing of new products at both domestic and international manufacturing partners and ramping production. This is a rare opportunity to have a front row seat and high-level impact on each new vehicle product from two to four-wheeled.

What You Will Do

• Lead manufacturing development for new automotive products, from pilot builds through production launch.

• Design pilot lines, including layouts, assembly and test steps, tooling, and equipment.

• Develop equipment and process specifications; lead design reviews and identify opportunities for automation.

• Partner with design teams on manufacturability, using GD&T and tolerance analysis to improve assembly capability, cost, and throughput.

• Lead pilot builds and turn build findings into clear design and process improvements.

• Own process FMEAs, control plans, validation studies, and build instructions for internal and contract manufacturer builds.

• Model production capacity, identify bottlenecks, and develop plans to meet output targets.

• Work with equipment integrators and contract manufacturers to implement assembly automation and custom test systems, including dynamometers.

• Drive production launch and ramp with contract manufacturers, resolving yield and quality issues on site as needed, including travel to Taiwan and Mexico.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field, with NPI or manufacturing engineering experience in the automotive industry.

• Experience leading products through prototype builds, validation, production launch, and high volume ramp at contract manufacturers.

• Hands-on DFM experience partnering with design teams to improve manufacturability, including proficiency in CATIA or SolidWorks.

• Experience selecting manufacturing processes and implementing automation, with an understanding of how tooling, supply chain, quality, cost, and cycle time affect production decisions.

• Working knowledge of APQP and PPAP, with the ability to lead cross-functional decisions using data and take ownership of launch issues.

The salary for this position ranges from $175,000 - 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.