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

The Applications Engineering team specializes in technical sales support, working closely with customers to tailor our buses to their specific needs while minimizing product variation and complexity. You'll bridge the gap between customer requirements and our design team, maximizing design reuse and ensuring a seamless integration of custom solutions.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Staff Applications Engineer collaborates extensively with customers, tackling potentially complex needs requiring advanced conceptual thinking and independent judgment. Their efficiency is enhanced through strong familiarity with the GILLIG product and overall bus industry while demonstrating a keen sense for identifying opportunities for design reuse and controlling variation.

This is an on-site position that will report directly to the Director of Customer Applications.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Work closely with customers to understand their specific needs and requirements, providing consultation on possible customizations and modifications to standard bus models.
• Create customized proposals and presentations to demonstrate how GILLIG buses meet customer needs
• Develop technical documentation to support proposals and discussions with customers, ensuring thorough and accurate filing for later retrieval and reuse as necessary
• Review, understand, and translate customer requirements into agreed-upon technical solutions ahead of passing these on to the design team
• Provide modular powertrain and powertrain-related configurations that satisfy customer expectations, specifications & requirements
• Review customer specifications & requirements and deliver chassis & body structure designs as well as suspension, steering, and pneumatic brake systems that meet these needs
• Manage the creation and release of BOMs, identify pre-existing parts, and ensure accurate definition and documentation
• Provide significant support towards engineering programs, defining technical schedules and deliveries, and assisting with cost definition
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners such as electrical, controls, and manufacturing engineers to iterate designs
• Monitor market trends, competitor offerings, and customer feedback to support strategic decision-making and product positioning

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

• Autonomy: Ability to work independently with review at critical points and may direct the activities of others. Accountable for results that may impact the entire department
• Technically Minded: Serve as an expert in the field and key advisor. Provide, guide and use professional concepts in developing resolution to critical issues. Apply extensive knowledge of theories, practices and design matters. Lead the application of existing principles and guide development of new ideas
• Time Management: Work is completed at a highly accelerated pace due to familiarity with subject matter and execution experience
• Communication: Collaborate and teach up, down and across the organization to help raise the skills and knowledge of the GILLIG team. Create formal networks involving coordination among groups. Convey advanced information and persuade diverse stakeholders
• Complexity: Work on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles. Require conceptual thinking to understand advanced issues and implications. Exercise independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Recognized internally as a subject matter expert across multiple areas
• Quality & Standards: Ensure that customized proposals, technical documentation, and BOM are accurate, complete, and meet customer requirements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor or advanced degree in Engineering
• Minimum 8 years of experience within the Engineering industry, with significant experience in technical sales support and customer relationship management
• Existing Staff Engineer title in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls
• Demonstrated experience of powertrain systems, including engines (ICE, electric, hybrid), transmissions (manual, automatic, dual-clutch), drivelines, axles, emissions systems and related components
• Demonstrated experience of the design, development, and optimization of vehicle structures, weight & loading conditions, and overall structural performance
• Demonstrated design expertise in bus structure, powertrain, body, interior, HVAC, ITS, electrical power distribution, or vehicle controls.  Expertise in more than one area is required
• Fluent with BOM, documentation control, and revision/version management. Experience with a configure-to-order product and modular BOM management is required
• Fluency in CAD software such as NX, CREO, SolidWorks, or Zuken E3
• Experience working with major component suppliers, engineering service suppliers, and product validation engineers
• Experience in the direct design of components including Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Service (DFS), and cost-efficiency (Value Engineering)
• Experience with hands-on troubleshooting, product assembly, prototyping, testing, and validation activities (on-site and at remote locations)

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.
• 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.)
• 20 % Travel required
• Standard start time: 6:00 am (negotiable)

EXPECTED COMPENSATION

$75,000 - $200,000/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.