Staff Chassis Engineer, Steering and Braking Actuation
Zoox
Listing collected from Zoox's career site. NextChapter is independent of Zoox.
Foster City, CA · $195k–$269k a year · Posted October 7, 2026
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Where Foster City, CA ranks
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November 2026
- #1Best cities for pay after cost of living$209k · of 100
- #1Best cities for pay after cost of living in the West Coast$209k · of 39
- #1Best cities for pay after cost of living in California$209k · of 32
- #1Best cities for director and executive jobs in the West Coast38% · of 71
- #1Best cities for data and analytics pay after cost of living$232k · of 28
- #1Best cities for technology pay after cost of living$209k · of 80
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among mechanical engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for mechanical engineers: 8% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
At Zoox, you will collaborate with a world-class, multidisciplinary engineering team spanning AI, robotics, mechatronics, computer vision, and automated testing. Because a robot is in control of the vehicle, you will be constantly challenged to rethink traditional engineering paradigms to design elegant, ultra-efficient hardware systems from the ground up. Working in this agile, forward-thinking environment gives you the unique opportunity to manifest your creativity, push the boundaries of vehicle dynamics, and directly shape the future of autonomous mobility. As a Staff Engineer on the Chassis Actuator team specializing in Steering and Braking Systems, you will hold end-to-end design and release responsibility for the components powering our innovative autonomous by-wire platform. Sitting at the intersection of hardware and software, you will lead the development, execution, and delivery of critical engineering milestones for an active chassis system. You will manage Tier 1 supplier relationships to deliver high-performance hardware and controls software while aggressively meeting cost, weight, timing, and performance targets. Your scope will span from core component development to system integration support and hands-on vehicle-level testing and CAN signal analysis. Working in a highly cross-functional environment, you will bridge the gap between physical hardware and autonomous execution, collaborating daily with Vehicle Integration, Func
In this role, you will:
Own the product lifecycle of the Zoox Robotaxi steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems from initial concept through production, managing the development of mechanical hardware, software, and complex electromechanical systems.
Design and release 3D CAD models and 2D drawings with appropriate GD&T for both internal fabrication and external supplier production.
Define and manage comprehensive component and system requirements, encompassing mechanical, electrical, NVH, static and dynamic loading, mass, and thermal-mechanical or electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) domains, to guarantee robust performance and integration of the steering and braking systems.
Lead component testing and characterization, which includes developing innovative testing methodologies, analyzing complex data, and validating system integrity.
Manage strategic supplier engagements to co-develop component designs, review engineering documentation, and ensure on-time delivery of critical hardware and software.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with 12+ years of industry experience.
Proven track record of designing and releasing complex components using advanced 3D CAD tools (ideally CATIA V5/V6 or 3DX) and authoring 2D production drawings utilizing ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards.
Experience developing steer-by-wire (SbW), and/or brake-by-wire (BBW) systems and managing hardware and controls development timelines at an automotive OEM or large Tier 1 supplier.
Deep technical understanding of electromechanical actuators, brushless DC motors, precision gear systems, electrical integration, safety-critical system architecture, NVH mitigation, functional safety, and cost & mass target management.
Demonstrated experience authoring technical requirements and executing validation test plans across component, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and full-vehicle test assets.
Strong familiarity with automotive product development processes (e.g., APQP, phase-gate reviews) and a proven ability to manage long-term engineering schedules and deliverables.
Bonus Qualifications
Master's or Ph.D. is a plus
CAN & Network skills
Vector CANalyzer/CANoe, dSPACE experience
Polarion, Jira, and Confluence experience
About Zoox Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.
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Accommodations If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.
A Final Note: You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.