Senior Electronics Engineer - Electronics

About the Role

The Senior Electrical Engineer position is a hands-on role directly responsible for transit bus design. Duties involve requirements analysis engineering, concept design, detailed design, problem resolution, vehicle attribute design, BOM development, customer application research, and other engineering duties that involve designing, configuring, and industrializing electrical systems for the manufacturing of heavy-duty transit buses. This person will have direct influence at the systems and components level to optimize vehicle functionality and performance attributes.

This is a direct, full-time, on-site position in Livermore, CA, reporting directly to the Electrical Engineering Manager but may also receive direction and guidance from senior engineers.

Technical Focus

Within the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) & Surveillance group, you will focus on the integration challenges around Infotainment, CAD/AVL/AVM (Computer-Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Location/Automatic Vehicle Monitoring), and cybersecurity needs of the bus. You will work directly with suppliers to engineer, document, and ensure the functionality of these systems. ITS & Surveillance ties together exterior signage, interior monitors/displays, surveillance & security, and vehicle monitoring systems to provide customers and riders with valuable information and communications across transit networks.

This role requires a mix of working on vehicle harnessing, component integration, discrete signals, CANbus, antenna systems, and voice & data radio systems.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOM), defining appropriate application of parts & assembly; providing input on modular BOM structure to maintain and improve configuration efficiency.
• Gather information regarding supplier components, existing GILLIG designs, and technological advancements to rationalize and optimize design concepts.
• Use analytical tools to assess designs, including power, grounding, circuit protection, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), signal integrity, and thermal management.
• Perform design trade-offs and optimization to devise robust, manufacturable, and maintainable design concepts.
• Use ECAD tools to create, review, and release vehicle components, schematics, and harness assemblies.
• Master both Customer & Design REI releases, including significant involvement in BOM structuring, Change Control, Production Change Order (PCO), and Engineered Production Change.
• Support designs throughout the entire lifecycle, including development, production launch, variant designs & customization, and field support.
• Provide expert input working with test engineers to create DVP&R, execute defined test plans, and review test results/reports.
• Provide technical input to technical publications.
• Collaborate and iterate designs with cross-functional partners such as mechanical, controls, manufacturing engineers, and production personnel.
• Operate in a primary role, proposing solutions to more senior engineers or management for evaluation.

Scope of the Role

• Autonomy: Ability to work independently with review at critical points.
• Technically Minded: Apply industry practices and standards (NFPA, NEC, APTA, etc.) and provide input to other staff members on these practices.
• Time Management: Work productively to deliver projects on schedule and on budget.
• Communication: Collaborate and teach across the organization to raise the skills and knowledge of the GILLIG team. Adapt style to differing audiences and adept at persuasion on complex subjects.
• Complexity: Handle broad, complex assignments requiring creativity, initiative, judgment, and leadership. Work on diverse problems where analysis requires evaluation of identifiable factors.
• Quality & Standards: Ensure technical documentation is accurate and complete. Released designs must be cost-effective, manufacturable, serviceable, meet performance objectives, and customer requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering. Electrical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive engineering experience.
• Automotive, commercial, and/or heavy-duty vehicle design familiarity; direct experience a plus.
• Fluent with BOM, documentation control, and revision/version management. Experience with configure-to-order products and modular BOM management a plus.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of harness design and formboard drawing creation with fluency in CAD software such as Zuken or Capital.
• Experience working with major component suppliers, engineering service suppliers, testing suppliers, and product validation engineers.
• Fluent in direct design of components including Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Service (DFS), and cost-efficiency (Value Engineering).
• Hands-on experience with vehicle harnessing, component integration, discrete signals, CANbus, antenna systems, and voice & data radio systems.
• Highly skilled in hands-on troubleshooting, product assembly, prototyping, testing, and validation using diagnostic tools such as multimeters, power supplies, CANalyzer, and oscilloscopes.
• Knowledge of RFI (Radio Frequency Interference), EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility), EMI (Electromagnetic Interference), ESD (Electrostatic Discharge), or stationary/mobile broadcast systems is highly beneficial.
• Prior experience with Infotainment systems, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), and Automatic Vehicle Monitoring (AVM) technologies is highly desirable.
• Strong technical background creating and maintaining detailed electrical documentation across multiple design platforms (Zuken E3, AutoCAD).
• Ability to effectively communicate design requirements to manufacturing teams, field service technicians, and system integrators.
• Versatile team player who can switch between detailed electrical design work, system integration tasks, and stakeholder communication.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills focused on building collaborative relationships with transit technology vendors and external partners.

Work Environment

• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and occasionally kneel or squat.
• Must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Limited travel may be required.
• Must be able to navigate a manufacturing environment, comfortable around heavy machinery and tools.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (e.g., safety glasses, bump caps, hearing protection).
• Standard start time is 6:00 a.m. (negotiable).

Pay

Expected compensation: $75,000 - $164,310/annual salary + premium benefits. Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job classification, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

About GILLIG

As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in environmental and social initiatives in communities across the nation. GILLIG is at the forefront of the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support. Each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA.

• Leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, near-zero CNG, and clean diesel transit buses.
• Renowned for its inclusive, team/family-oriented culture.
• Stable, successful, and growing organization – a Bay Area business for over 132 years.
• Flexible schedules (depending on project needs).
• Excellent compensation including company-paid medical premiums, generous retirement plan, and other comprehensive benefits.

Department Overview

GILLIG Engineering is responsible for the development, customization, and configuration of GILLIG's clean technology heavy-duty transit buses. The team is committed to developing the most reliable buses that connect communities, eliminate congestion, and contribute to a greener environment. Engineers engage in designing, analyzing, testing, launching, and problem-solving across a wide range of technical areas.

Electrical Engineering is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing electrical systems and components, such as low & high voltage power distribution, CANbus network topology & variation, infotainment/CAD/AVL & surveillance system integration to ensure safety, durability, and performance.