Vehicle Integration Engineer, Exterior and Interior Accessories

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Slate is looking for a Vehicle Integration Engineer, Exterior and Interior Accessories to lead the development and vehicle-level integration of Slate's customer personalization ecosystem. In this role, you will define how accessories, vehicle access points, and core vehicle systems work together to create a seamless ownership experience across the platform.

We're seeking an engineer who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys solving complex vehicle-level integration challenges, and wants to help shape a new approach to vehicle personalization from the ground up. This role sits at the center of one of Slate's most distinctive product strategies: enabling customers to personalize and evolve their vehicles over time through an integrated ecosystem of accessories and vehicle interfaces.

Working across engineering, manufacturing, validation, service, and product teams, you will define and validate vehicle access points, interface requirements, and performance targets that enable robust, customer-focused solutions. You will drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure accessory systems meet quality, durability, regulatory, and customer experience expectations throughout the product development lifecycle.

As a key member of the Accessory Integration team, you will influence vehicle architecture, resolve complex integration challenges, and help deliver a highly customizable vehicle platform from concept through launch. This position reports to the Engineering Manager, Accessory Integration.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Define vehicle-level requirements, targets, and performance metrics for all Slate Access Points (SAPs), serving as the voice of the customer throughout the vehicle development process.
• Lead the vehicle-level integration of Accessories and SAPs, including requirement development, feasibility assessments, interface definition, and validation across virtual and physical development environments.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve accessory integration, packaging, and system interaction issues throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Partner with systems, component engineering, packaging, manufacturing, validation, service, and product teams to establish technical targets, evaluate tradeoffs, and deliver optimized solutions through launch and beyond.
• Define and validate vehicle access point architectures, ensuring robust performance, durability, manufacturability, serviceability, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive cross-functional issue resolution activities, develop data-driven recommendations, and present technical solutions to leadership.
• Develop and maintain vehicle-level integration scorecards and performance metrics to ensure accessory and SAP targets are achieved throughout development and launch.
• Influence vehicle architecture decisions that enable a scalable, flexible, and customer-focused personalization ecosystem.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering field. Master's degree preferred.
• 3+ years of automotive experience in Body, Exterior, and Interior product development at the component, system, and vehicle level.
• Experience driving component, system, and vehicle-level development by defining requirements and technical targets, assessing feasibility, resolving integration issues, and executing validation across cross-functional teams
• Working knowledge of applicable automotive regulatory requirements (FMVSS, NHTSA, EPA, CARB, FCC, etc.) and the ability to collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure compliance.
• Technical writing and documentation experience.
• Design Release Engineering (DRE) experience is a plus.
• Accessory, personalization, or aftermarket product development experience is a plus.
• Strong leadership, relationship-building, and facilitation skills, with the ability to guide cross-functional teams through technical tradeoffs and decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, manufacturing, validation, service, and product teams.
• Highly adaptable and proactive, with the ability to thrive in fast-paced startups and new product launch environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have the ability to travel (up to 10%).
• Must have the ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.  We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First

• Delight Customers

• One Team

• Relentless Improvement

• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy

• Respectful Collaboration

• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at slate-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.