Engineering Manager, Mechanical Design, Battery Engineering

Designed and assembled in the United States, Proterra’s innovative battery platform offers industry-leading energy density, durability, performance and safety systems – enabling Proterra EV batteries to be the premium choice for commercial vehicles and industrial equipment.

Proterra’s battery technology offers industry-leading energy density, safety systems, and durability. Proudly designed in Silicon Valley and assembled in Greer, South Carolina, Proterra® batteries are the premier choice to electrify commercial vehicles ranging from buses and trucks to construction equipment and more. Proterra is building innovative battery technology to power a better, more sustainable world.

Position Overview:

This technical manager position will focus on developing the people and the mechanical designs for new battery pack architectures from concept to production.

About the Role – You will:

• Manage a team of mechanical engineers designing Proterra’s next battery design in one of the 3 disciplines: Electrical, Thermal and Structural
• Support the architectural development of Proterra’s next battery design
• Guide the team to innovating on the systems and components level
• Assist the cross functional team in defining the system and part level requirements
• Guide the teams’ work by identifying key goals & deliverables and prioritizing projects appropriately
• Develop and grow the team, including professional development for current team members and responsibility for staffing/hiring as the team grows
• Work effectively cross functionally (program management, quality, supply chain, test)

About Our Group:

• Through developing industry leading battery packs, the Product Development Team helps Proterra meet our ambitious cost and energy density goals.
• This role is part of the larger Battery Technology Team. The Battery Technology Team’s work is guided by our team values:
  • Purpose: We work towards a sustainable future for all by leading battery technology development and enabling electrification in every sector of transportation.
  • Initiative: We encourage taking ownership to find creative solutions to challenges. We’re not afraid to fail.
  • Humility: We recognize when we’re not the expert, ask for help when needed, and change our minds when we get new information.
  • Critical Thinking: We are both creative and analytical. We break problems down to the fundamentals and question assumptions.
  • Intellectual Challenge: We are continuously learning and growing so that we can strategically tackle hard problems that push the industry forward.
  • Community & Diversity: We actively work to build a supportive space where people from diverse backgrounds can bring their whole selves to work, connect meaningfully, and grow both as individuals and as a group.
  • Kindness: We’re more productive when we treat each other with empathy and respect. We support each other and offer meaningful help.
  • Fun: We purposefully create outlets to take breaks and have fun. We believe we should be inspired by our jobs and each other.
• You will report to the Director of Mechanical Design Engineering and collaborate with other Engineering team members located at our R&D headquarters in Burlingame, CA and manufacturing facility near Greer, SC.

About You:

• Proactive and able to work without supervision
• Creative and confident in bringing new ideas to the team
• Invests in their team, advocating for team and their growth
• Able to adapt interpersonal styles and techniques to influence at all levels of the organization
• Customer-focused attitude
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality, establish trust and credibility, and act with complete integrity
• Detail-oriented, resourceful, and diligent
• Flexible and open to change
• Demonstrate sound judgment and problem-solving skills including challenging assumptions
• Able to prioritize tasks and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Your Experience Includes:

• 6+ years' experience with 2+ years of full-time design experience in battery design, including some of the following: enclosure or module structures, cell interconnects, high voltage or low voltage connections, coolant systems, adhesives and sealants, coatings
• 1+ years’ experience in leading the design for a program or 1+ years’ management experience
• BS in Engineering or equivalent experience
• Design of high-volume production components for battery packs
• Proficient in 3D CAD, 2D Drawings (including GD&T); 3DX or CATIA V5 Preferred
• Familiarity in full product development cycle
• Solid people, communication, and presentation skills
• Ability to effectively communicate product architectures, design proposals and present options at director levels
• Methodical and diligent thinker, with a high attention for detail and a desire to work with a strong sense of quality and craft.

Location: Burlingame, CA

Travel: 0 – 10%

Compensation: $190,000- $210,000/yr

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).