Senior Manufacturing Design Engineer

About the role

Uber is launching AV Labs to accelerate the autonomous technology ecosystem. We're building a high‑velocity team of multi‑disciplinary experts to turn real‑world operations into high‑quality data for our autonomous partners. This team focuses on the hardest problem in AV today: unlocking real‑world, long‑tail driving data. As a Senior Manufacturing Design Engineer at Uber AV Labs, you will drive the design and development of early exploration platforms and foundational technology building blocks that directly enable and influence next‑generation autonomous vehicle architecture decisions. Leveraging a strong engineering background and a proven track record of navigating high ambiguity, you will proactively lead multi‑functional engineering teams alongside key hardware vendors, technology suppliers, and Tier‑1 partners through the definition, prototyping, and Proof of Concept (PoC) of AV technologies—including advanced sensing platforms (LiDAR, Radar, Cameras), custom compute architectures, and hardware‑software integration layers. In this role, you will apply situational program management to seamlessly organize, align, and orchestrate high‑impact R&D roadmaps from raw concepts all the way through architectural validation and physical prototype integration. Ready to Ride? This isn't the kind of place where you follow a playbook—it's where you help write one. If you're driven by impact, energized by challenge, and ready to shape how the world moves—we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Architect the Production Process: Design, validate, and deploy custom fixtures, jigs, and tooling. Build the physical architecture that allows assembly teams to work safely and efficiently. Own the tooling lifecycle from blank CAD canvas to shop‑floor deployment.
• BOM Architecture & Management: Build, structure, and maintain accurate Manufacturing Bills of Materials (MBOMs). Act as the gatekeeper ensuring that every part, fastener, and tool is accurately accounted for.
• Engineering Change Management: Drive the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process for all manufacturing tooling and production parts. Manage version control, ensuring the shop floor is always building with the right revision of fixtures.
• Fixture Procurement & Fabrication: Work directly with internal machine shops or external vendors to get fixture designs fabricated. Select the right materials (tool steels, aluminum, plastics) and specify tolerances using GD&T.
• Operator Support: Spend time on the floor observing how fixtures are used. Gather feedback from assembly technicians to iterate and improve tooling for better safety and cycle times.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Technology.
• 5+ years of MDE experience leading multi‑functional engineering teams through early‑stage technical ambiguity, milestone planning, and release gating criteria.
• Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD (Solidworks, NX or Catia).
• Deep understanding of core principles of GD&T.
• Experience developing process DFMs, and driving corrective actions and failure analysis efforts.
• Direct, hands‑on experience supporting a live production line and troubleshooting manufacturing issues in real‑time.
• Proven track record of managing external hardware vendors and suppliers to deliver complex fixtures on time with high quality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience managing specialty automotive build partners, prototype vehicle upfits, custom retrofits, or Tier‑1/OEM integration programs.
• Familiarity with core autonomous vehicle architecture and building blocks, including sensing platforms (LiDAR, Radar, Cameras), vehicle integration and bring‑ups.
• Exceptional communication skills with a demonstrated ability to bring transparency, resolve conflicts, and drive priorities across complex, multi‑organization environments without direct authority.