Pittsburgh Robotics Network · 23 hours ago
Staff Design Release Engineer, Sensors
Pittsburgh, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$144K/yr - $191K/yr
8+ years expMotional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. They are seeking a highly motivated Staff Design Release Engineer to own the design release and integration of their autonomous vehicle’s sensor suite, ensuring robust technical execution and managing supplier and cross-functional alignment.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)AssociationNon ProfitRobotics
Responsibilities
Own the complete design release of sensor system hardware (e.g., camera, radar, LiDAR, ultrasonic, IMU, and microphone), including the mechanical mounting, alignment, thermal management, electrical interface, and vehicle network integration
Drive technical execution for the full product lifecycle, from concept and architecture definition to sustaining engineering and continuous improvement
Oversee the generation and release of all engineering documentation, including models and drawings, Bills of Material (BOM), specifications, and test reports, ensuring alignment with vehicle-level design
Define and maintain the Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R), ensuring successful validation against system performance targets
Lead the Engineering Change (ECN) process for all sensor designs, ensuring traceability, cost impact analysis, version control, and full cross-functional buy-in
Act as the primary technical and program interface to sensor suppliers (Tier 1 and Tier 2), tracking part maturity through DV, PV, and PPAP phases to ensure tooling and delivery readiness
Build strong partnerships across the Systems Engineering, Autonomy, Software Infrastructure, Quality, and Vehicle Integration teams to ensure seamless hardware integration and manufacturability (DFM/DFA)
Lead technical program reviews and design readiness assessments, proactively developing risk mitigation plans to ensure sensor maturity aligns with program milestones and build events
Provide regular, concise updates to technical leadership on design maturity, validation progress, open issues, and timely closure metrics
Qualification
Required
8+ years of experience in automotive design and release engineering, with direct ownership of ADAS and/or perception sensor hardware preferred
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering (or a related field)
Deep technical understanding of automotive sensor technologies, CAN/Ethernet network architecture, and environmental validation standards
Fundamental knowledge of validation documentation and processes, including DVP&R, DFMEA, and PFMEA
Expert-level experience with the manufacturing BOM and ECN processes, and a proven ability to manage technical discussions with external suppliers
Familiarity with CAD systems (e.g., NX, CATIA), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems (including requirement management tools such as Polarion), and engineering release workflows
Strong understanding of vehicle integration, packaging, and functional safety standards (ISO 26262)
Proven ability to lead complex initiatives, manage cross-functional teams, and execute to aggressive program timelines with minimal oversight
Preferred
Experience with advanced in-vehicle prototypes and benchtop systems
Proven track record of driving goal-level impact across multiple teams or subsystems
Prior experience in an autonomous vehicle or robotics company
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision
401k with a company match
Health saving accounts
Life insurance
Pet insurance
And more
Company
Pittsburgh Robotics Network
An organization dedicated to the growth and promotion of Pittsburgh's robotics companies and research institutions
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$0.75MKey Investors
Appalachian Regional Commission
2024-10-16Grant· $0.75M
Leadership Team
Ryan O'Shea
Communications and Engagement Manager
Recent News
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