Electrical Engineering Director

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv is a leading manufacturer of medium duty, zero-emission electric trucks and buses. Motiv produces a range of vehicles; including step vans, shuttle buses, box trucks and work trucks, all of which eliminate tailpipe CO2 emissions and particulate matter, while offering drivers and passengers a more comfortable, healthier and safer ride. Motiv’s combination of operational cost savings and environmental performance helps customers meet increasingly stringent emissions and pollution standards as well as achieve their own Net-Zero, ESG or other climate impact-related pledges and commitments.

Motiv is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineering Director to work on HV/LV systems for Motiv Electric Truck programs. The Electrical Engineering Director leads Motiv’s electrical engineering department, focusing on developing and implementing advanced electrical systems across vehicle platforms. They are responsible for driving the strategic direction and technical execution of electrical and electronic systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards and alignment with the company’s goals. 

Our ideal candidate must have a high degree of technical competence, written and verbal communication skills, and be comfortable working independently or collaboratively.  A Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or similar is required – a master's degree in engineering would be a plus. We are looking for candidates with 10+ years of OEM, or Tier 1 experience, preferably on HEV, PHEV, or BEV platforms.  The candidate must have over five years of experience in a leadership role with 5, or more, direct reports.  Additionally, the candidate must have experience working in structured engineering process including definition of requirements and objective function, concept creation, market analysis for components, analyzing options, and making final engineering decisions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a team of electrical engineers, providing mentorship, setting goals, and fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Develop and execute an electrical engineering roadmap aligned with company objectives, product development goals, and emerging automotive trends.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including product development, software, and mechanical engineering, to ensure seamless integration of electrical components into vehicle designs.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Technical Oversight & Innovation:
• Oversee the design and development of electrical systems and components, including wiring, control modules, sensors, and charging infrastructure.
• Implement cutting-edge technology solutions, such as electric vehicle (EV) powertrains, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and autonomous driving capabilities.
• Ensure electrical systems meet automotive standards and certifications (e.g., ISO 26262, SAE standards), prioritizing safety, reliability and performance.
• Drive innovation within the team by fostering R&D initiatives and staying updated on advancements in automotive electronics, embedded systems, and high-voltage systems.
• Project Management:
• Manage the full lifecycle of electrical engineering projects, from concept through design, testing, validation, and production.
• Ensure project milestones, timelines, and budgets are met, with regular updates to senior management on project progress.
• Collaborate with program management to optimize project prioritization, resource allocation, and risk management.
• Budget responsibility for the Electrical Engineering Department.
• Stakeholder Communication:
• Serve as the primary point of contact for electrical engineering in discussions with other departments and external partners.
• Communicate complex technical information clearly to non-technical stakeholders, providing guidance on electrical system capabilities and limitations.
• Engage in business development activities when necessary, offering technical expertise in customer and partner meetings.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proactive and independent with the ability to take initiative
• Flexible to work in Factory environment on the floor to inspect /Troubleshoot 
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while producing high quality output in timely manner
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
• High level of accuracy; ability to work with tight schedules and ambiguity in startup environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Confident, but not arrogant, “can do” attitude and demeanor, delegates, when necessary and appropriate, but instinctively “trusts” and “verifies”, demanding and uncompromising but always fair and equitable, passionate, and driven agent for continuous improvement, change and success
• Should be “hands-on”, hard-working, self-motivated and, more often than not, self-directed, should rarely need to be “coached up” and/or redirected
• Strong management, administrative and organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and stay cool under pressure
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to relate to and work with both internal and external customers, alike, at all levels

Education And Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or similar – master's degree a plus 
• 10+ years of OEM or Tier 1 experience, preferably on HEV, PHEV, or BEV platforms 
• 5+ years of experience in a leadership role with 5+ direct reports 
• Knowledge of high voltage electrical systems
• Experience working in structured engineering process including definition of requirements and objective function, concept creation, market analysis for components, analyzing options, and making final engineering decisions. 
• Experience with Bill of Material and Change Management Systems
• Strong knowledge of automotive product development systems and design disciplines
• Self-starting and ready to work with a small team in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Able to work in shop environments when needed to support physical testing,  bench tests and vehicle builds
• Flexibility to work in Factory environments, wearing PPE
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times 

Salary Range:

• $195,000.00-$230,000.00 (Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and training.)

This position is based in Novi, Michigan 

Candidates only please; no recruiters. 

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, Health & Dependent Care FSA, 401(k), Basic Life and AD&D, Voluntary Life and AD&D, EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Education Reimbursement, and more!
• Generous PTO policy and 11 Paid Company Holidays.
• Online, on-demand Training & Development Programs.
• Bicycle friendly, with bike storage available to all Foster City employees with a 5 minute walk to the scenic Bay Front.
• Regular Happy Hours, Company Cultural Events, and more!