Staff Designer at Proterra, Inc. in Greenville, South Carolina

Job Description:

Position Overview

This position will provide comprehensive design support to Proterra’s Design Engineering Manager and other site leadership team members. You will work from vehicle integration engineering and systems engineering requirements to develop vehicle new product designs, improved/sustainment designs and configuration and customization for our transit customer’s specific requirements. You will design systems ranging from electro-mechanical assemblies, to sub-frame, body, thermal systems, electrical routings.

About the Role – You will:

• Work with Systems Engineering, Program Manager, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing and subcontractors.


• Create CAD models, engineering concepts and drawings that are manufacturable from both a design and modeling best practices stand-point. Proterra utilizes a CAD as master approach, so a high quality and fully defined 3D and 2D package is the expected deliverable.


• Preparation of basis engineering calculation to support design decisions.


• Work with manufacturing, quality and supplier inputs to determine appropriate dimensions and GD&T applications with tolerance stack-up analysis.


• Understand how the CAD data package and process integrates into the PDM, PLM and enterprise processes and engage and participate in “as-is” and “to-be” process maintenance and improvements with key functional leads.


• Prepare presentations for Program and Design Reviews.


• Identify gaps in Electrical CAD routing and best practices across the engineering organization. Plan focused trainings for engineering and design team to fill those gaps.


• Assist in coordinating engineering drafting functions with other departments.


• Provide input to engineering documentation such as BOM’s and ECO’s, etc.


• Examine electronic schematics and supporting documents to develop harness routes within the bus architecture.


• Work with Electrical and Design Engineers to confirm component placement for harness routing and content is accurate with schematics.


• Define, manage, and maintain CAD product structure/architecture and logic for configurable products.


• Drive closure of all design requests, to meet team on-time delivery and quality goals.


• Provide technical assistance and guidance on work methods and procedures to less experienced personnel engaged in related work.


• Work using the collaborative design guide and standards as well as take an ownership roll in the development and improvement of the guide and standards. The goal is to produce best practices for product standardization, performance, cost and reliability improvement.


• Expected to work with make-to-spec suppliers and vendors to understand their tolerance and process capabilities and translate that to best practice DFM designs.


• Expected to be well versed and deploy designs for serviceability using error proofing design methodologies

 About Our Group:

• As strategic partners, the Design Engineering team strives to ensure that our values, culture and engagement always allow us do great things for our company.


• We strive to provide the highest level service and support to our clients each and every day.


• We work collaboratively to build strong relationships with our clients, partners, and own team.


• We treat each other with respect……and always try to have a little fun every day!


• This position will be part of the Design Engineering team that supports Proterra’s Manufacturing and Engineering operations in Greenville, SC.


• You will report to the Design Engineering Manager and collaborate with other Design Engineering team members located at our headquarters in Burlingame, CA and manufacturing facilities in Greenville, SC and Los Angeles, CA.

 Requirements

 Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or associate’s degree in drafting, engineering or other related field.


• 15+ years’ experience in similar industry designing highly configurable products.


• Experience with commercial and industrial vehicles a plus.


• Experience with implementations of Electrical CAD systems a plus


• Proficient in CAD (CATIA V5/V6 preferred, Vesys or other schematic software)


• Strong knowledge in PLM software.


• Strong understanding of CAD modeling best practices.


• Working knowledge of commercial truck and/or bus design


• Experience with sheet metal closures or structures including manufacturing processes.


• Full knowledge of ASME Y14.5 drafting standards


• Full knowledge of the application and interpretation of GD&T principles


• Experience with the application of modern (APQP) design validation tools


• Broad knowledge in material applications.


• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and related tolerance/costs.

About You:

• Self-starter with the ability to adapt interpersonal styles and techniques to influence at all levels of the organization.


• Customer-focused attitude, with high level of professionalism and discretion.


• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, establish trust and credibility, and act with complete integrity.

• Strong time management, organizational and communication skills.


• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills, detail-oriented, resourceful and diligent.

Travel: 0 - 10%

Proterra is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all Employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Proterra participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program (E-Verify).  

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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