Senior Manager Drivetrain Design Engineer

Palo Alto on site Until 9/12/2026 First posted July 14, 2026 Last posted July 14, 2026
Job description

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 Will 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 driving 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.

  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, ownership, collaboration, and rapid learning.

  • Manage engineering resources, project priorities, technical risks, and staffing across multiple simultaneous development programs.

What You Will Bring

  • Experience leading and hiring engineering teams

  • Experience with high volume manufacturing processes such as injection molding, stamping, metal die-casting, PCBA, wiring harness, gear cutting.

  • Proficiency in hands-on mechanical integration, assembly, troubleshooting and documentation of mechanical and electromechanical systems.

  • Proficiency with CAE analysis software package like Ansys, Abaqus, Hyperwork, or similar

  • Proficiency in 3D/2D modeling tools (Catia V5/V6 preferred but not required)

  • Experience with Matlab and/or Python.

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. 

About this role

Summary

Lead and develop a team designing electromechanical actuation systems for EVs.

Job title

Senior Manager Drivetrain Design Engineer

Experience level

senior level

Industry

automotive

Location requirements

Palo Alto, remote not specified

Salary

Not specified

Management role

Yes

Skills & keywords

Required skills

team leadershipmechanical designCAE software3D modelingPython

Preferred skills

AnsysAbaqusHyperworkCatia V5/V6Matlab

Specializations

actuatorsmotorsgeartrainselectronicsmechanical design
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Palo Alto, CA, USA

On-site City