ALSO

Senior Manager Drivetrain Design Engineer

ALSO · Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA Posted 2026-07-14
Type
Full-time
Experience
5+ yr

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 Senior Manager of Drivetrain Design Engineering to lead the development of next-generation electromechanical actuation systems used throughout our light electric vehicle platforms. This leader will build and develop a high-performing team responsible for actuator architecture, motors, geartrains, structural components, sensing, and electronics integration from concept through production.

What You'll Do

  • Build, lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary team of mechanical design engineers across actuator, motor mechanical, geartrain, and structures disciplines
  • Own technical execution for actuator products from concept through production launch, balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule
  • Drive cross-functional execution between Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Controls, Systems, Manufacturing, Test, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management
  • Work alongside lead system engineers on decisions involving motors, gear reductions, bearings, sensors, PCB integration, wire harnesses, sealing, and structural design
  • Establish engineering best practices for design reviews, DFMEA, DVP&R, tolerance analysis, CAD standards, documentation, and product release processes
  • Guide engineering tradeoffs between performance, NVH, efficiency, durability, cost, weight, packaging, and manufacturing complexity
  • Partner closely with OEM, JDM, and OBM suppliers through concept development, prototype builds, validation, industrialization, and production ramp
  • Develop organizational capability through hiring, coaching, performance management, and succession planning
  • Manage engineering resources, project priorities, technical risks, and staffing across multiple simultaneous development programs
  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, ownership, collaboration, and rapid learning

What You'll Bring

  • Experience leading and hiring engineering teams
  • Experience with high-volume manufacturing processes such as injection molding, stamping, metal die-casting, PCBA, wiring harness assembly, and gear cutting
  • Proficiency in hands-on mechanical integration, assembly, troubleshooting, and documentation of mechanical and electromechanical systems
  • Proficiency with CAE analysis software such as Ansys, Abaqus, Hyperworks, or similar
  • Proficiency in 3D/2D modeling tools (Catia V5/V6 preferred, but not required)
  • Experience with MATLAB and/or Python

Perks & 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.

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