Director or Vice President of Engineering

Endera Motors is a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of specialty vehicles, including Class 4 shuttles and school buses. We are driving innovation in both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) platforms, with a strong emphasis on delivering best-in-class body designs that meet the evolving needs of transit and commercial customers. We are currently launching multiple new body configurations and expanding our proprietary EV drivetrain and software solutions.

Position Overview

The Vice President of Engineering will lead Endera’s engineering organization with a primary focus on the design, development, and validation of new body platforms for both ICE and EV vehicles. This role is pivotal in ensuring the successful execution of our near-term body development programs while maintaining oversight of our EV drivetrain and vehicle integration efforts. The VP of Engineering will collaborate closely with product development, operations, and manufacturing teams to ensure manufacturability, compliance, and cost-effective delivery of new vehicle body programs.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive body engineering strategy, ensuring timely delivery of new body configurations for shuttles and school buses.
• Drive innovation in body structure, materials, and design to improve performance, manufacturability, and lifecycle costs.
• Partner with executive leadership to align engineering priorities with customer requirements, contracts, and production schedules.
• Mentor and build a high-performing engineering team focused on body design, chassis integration, and EV systems.

Body Design & Vehicle Engineering:

• Lead the end-to-end development of multiple new body designs, from concept and CAD modeling to prototype, validation, and production launch.
• Oversee integration of body designs with both ICE and EV powertrain platforms, ensuring seamless mechanical, electrical, and thermal systems compatibility.
• Ensure structural integrity, durability, and crashworthiness of all body programs while meeting FMVSS and ADA compliance.
• Collaborate with suppliers and fabricators to ensure designs are production-ready and optimized for cost and lead time.

EV Drivetrain & Vehicle Integration:

• Maintain oversight of EV drivetrain development, including powertrain, VCUs, and software integration.
• Ensure EV-specific body configurations are designed for optimal battery packaging, weight distribution, and system performance.

Compliance & Quality:

• Ensure all vehicle body designs meet regulatory, safety, and quality standards (FMVSS, ADA, ISO 9001).
• Manage validation and testing programs (e.g., Altoona, structural testing, and on-road evaluations).

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with production engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless transition of designs to assembly lines.
• Work with sales, product, and customer teams to incorporate customer feedback into body designs.

Budget & Resource Management:

• Manage engineering budgets, timelines, and key program deliverables.
• Track KPIs for body program development, ensuring projects stay on cost and schedule.

• Experience:
  • 10+ years in engineering leadership, with a focus on body design and specialty vehicle development (shuttles, buses, or similar).
  • Proven track record of taking body design programs from concept to production, including prototype and validation phases.
  • Strong understanding of both EV and ICE platforms and their unique integration challenges.
• Technical Skills:
  • Expertise in CAD design, structural analysis, and materials engineering.
  • Familiarity with EV packaging, battery systems, and vehicle dynamics.
  • Knowledge of manufacturing methods, tooling, and DFM principles.
• Education:
  • Bachelor’s in Mechanical, Automotive, or Manufacturing Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• Soft Skills:
  • Exceptional leadership, project management, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work cross-functionally and manage complex, multi-phase body development programs.

Why Join Endera?

• Lead the engineering of new, cutting-edge vehicle body configurations.
• Play a pivotal role in the future of both EV and ICE platforms.
• Work within a fast-growing, mission-driven company shaping the future of transit.

What We Offer: 

• Competitive compensation with meaningful equity, vacation, and benefit package. 

Endera Motors, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endera Corporation (“Endera”), is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy disability, medical condition, disability or veteran status (that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions) all as defined by applicable laws.