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Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors

Who We Are

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly to make transportation safer, increasingly accessible, and more reliable and efficient than ever before. The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.

At Aurora, you'll solve massively complex problems alongside other passionate, smart people, growing as an expert while broadening your field of knowledge. For Aurora’s latest news, visit aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn.

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all. We’re searching for a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors.

The HPE Mechanical Design team is responsible for the development of all custom hardware modules in the Aurora Driver Kit (ADK) including Compute modules, Sensor Pods, and Lidar. The team works cross-functionally with EE, layout, CAE, Reliability, EMC, NPI, Operations, and other R&D teams to deliver the robust, scalable electro-mechanical solutions that power the Aurora Driver. Our team starts development at the earliest stages of product scoping and technology exploration and carries products through mass production at scale with our manufacturing partners.

The ideal candidate should have a strong history of bringing high-volume optical sensor products to market, ideally in the automotive or consumer electronics industries. Demonstrated technical ownership over shipping optical sensors, optical mechanisms, cameras, lidar, or similar technologies is desired. The candidate will be part of a larger (~20x) mechanical engineering group, with support from a best-in-industry CAE simulation and optical engineering team, but should stand-out as a domain expert in opto mechanical designs. This is a new role on the team added to support additional project scope. The candidate should be experienced in completing DFM/DFA with high-volume, overseas suppliers and be proficient in 3D CAD (CATIA preferred), 2D drawing creation using GD&T, and optical analysis using Zemax or equivalent tool;. High power, high thermal density and high speed electronics experience would be additional bonuses.

In this role, you will

  • Designing and validating opto-mechanical enclosures that achieve or exceed performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost requirements for next generation automotive sensors
  • Collaborating with Contract Manufacturers to kick off mass production tooling and complete engineering builds leading up to the start of high volume production
  • Performing, documenting, and presenting engineering analysis and testing of opto-mechanical sensor performance
  • Hands-on Prototyping and validating next generation automotive sensors
  • Presenting, documenting and educating others regarding mechanical and optical architectural decisions made
  • Directing junior-level engineers, assisting senior-level engineers, and cross-functional supporting teams on various projects
  • Creating 3D models, 2D drawings, and engineering BOMs in CATIA 3DX
  • Performing basic structural/thermal analysis using both hand calculations and FEA
  • Support evaluating and characterizing optical elements and mounts
  • Implement geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) methods and conventions in accordance with ASME 14.5-2009 in 2D specifications

Required Qualifications

  • BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering with 7+ years of industry experience in Opto-Mechanical Design
  • Strong background in mechanical engineering, optics, mounting of optical components and packaging
  • Skilled in the use of solid modeling CAD tools (ideally CATIA)
  • Experience with optical analysis, including sequential and non-sequential analysis, using Zemax or equivalent tool
  • Experience working directly with and managing relationships with suppliers, ideally automotive OEMs and/or Asia-based Contract Manufacturers
  • Proven Strong analytical and hands-on engineering skills;
  • Understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing methods and conventions in accordance with ASME 14.5-2009
  • Ability to work in a hands-on prototyping and test environment
  • Excellent oral, written, and communication communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Experience conducting FEA thermal/ structural analysis, ideally with ANSYS Workbench
  • Experience in automotive cameras and sensors is a plus
  • Experience with Matlab or Python or equivalent tool is a plus

The base salary range for this position is $181,000.00-$290,000.00 per year.  Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

#LI-DW1

#Mid-Senior

 

Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at careersiteaccommodations@aurora.tech.

For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.

To learn more about life at Aurora please visit our company culture page. 

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Average salary estimate

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$181000K
$290000K

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What You Should Know About Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors, Aurora Innovation

Join Aurora as a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors in beautiful Mountain View, California! At Aurora, we're on a mission to revolutionize transportation through self-driving technology, and we're looking for someone like you to help us get there. In this exciting role, you’ll be at the forefront of creating cutting-edge optical sensor products for our Aurora Driver Kit. Our mechanical design team is a tight-knit group that collaborates closely with electrical engineers and other R&D teams, ensuring that we deliver robust, scalable solutions. You’ll be using your expert knowledge to design and validate opto-mechanical enclosures that meet our high performance and reliability standards. Bring your experience in high-volume production, and let's work together with manufacturing partners to kick off mass production tooling. This role is all about pushing the boundaries of what's possible, from hands-on prototyping to directing junior engineers. Your skills in CAD (preferably CATIA), optical analysis, and DFM/DFA processes will be put to good use here. Plus, you’ll have the chance to present and educate others on your design decisions, helping to shape the future of mobility! If you have a passion for innovation and want to be part of a dynamic, collaborative team, we want to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors Role at Aurora Innovation
What are the key responsibilities of the Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors at Aurora?

As a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors at Aurora, you'll be tasked with designing and validating opto-mechanical enclosures, collaborating with contract manufacturers, and performing detailed engineering analysis on sensor performance. You'll be involved in hands-on prototyping and will lead projects, guiding junior engineers and presenting your findings to the larger team.

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What qualifications do I need to apply for the Staff Mechanical Design Engineer position at Aurora?

To be considered for the Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors position at Aurora, you should have a BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering and at least 7 years of relevant experience in opto-mechanical design. Strong knowledge of CAD tools, especially CATIA, and experience with optical analysis tools like Zemax are also highly desirable.

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How does the Staff Mechanical Design Engineer role contribute to Aurora's mission?

The Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors plays a crucial role in Aurora's mission by developing the high-quality optical sensors that are vital for our self-driving technology. Your work will directly impact the safety and reliability of the Aurora Driver, moving us closer to a more efficient transportation ecosystem for everyone.

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What type of work environment can I expect at Aurora as a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer?

At Aurora, you'll find a collaborative and innovative work environment. As a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors, you'll work alongside a diverse team of experts, fostering knowledge sharing and hands-on learning. The culture encourages creativity and provides the opportunity to tackle complex engineering challenges in a supportive atmosphere.

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What is the salary range for the Staff Mechanical Design Engineer position at Aurora?

The salary range for the Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors position at Aurora is between $181,000 and $290,000 per year. The starting pay will be determined based on factors such as your skills, experience, and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll also be eligible for bonuses and equity compensation.

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Common Interview Questions for Staff Mechanical Design Engineer - Optical Sensors
What experience do you have with optical sensor design?

When answering, emphasize specific projects where you designed or validated optical sensors, discussing the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Mention any relevant technologies or tools you employed, such as CATIA or Zemax.

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How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams?

Highlight your communication skills and previous collaboration experience. Provide examples of how you worked with electrical engineers, operations teams, or contract manufacturers to achieve design goals, ensuring everyone’s expertise was utilized effectively.

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Describe a challenging engineering problem you've solved.

Choose a technical challenge that relates to mechanical design or optical sensors. Explain the problem, your analytical approach, the steps you took to reach a solution, and the successful outcome, demonstrating your problem-solving skills.

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What is your experience with DFM/DFA processes?

Discuss any specific experiences you have in design for manufacturability and assembly. Provide examples of how you ensured your designs were optimized for mass production and how this impacted the overall efficiency of the project.

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Can you explain your knowledge of GD&T?

Discuss how you have applied geometric dimensioning and tolerancing in your designs, referring to any relevant projects. Explain why GD&T is important in engineering and how it contributes to the clarity and manufacturability of mechanical designs.

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What tools do you prefer for optical analysis, and why?

Mention specific tools you have used, such as Zemax, and elaborate on how you utilized them in past projects. Explain the strengths of these tools and how they contributed to your design processes.

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How do you ensure the performance and reliability of your designs?

Talk about your methodology for testing and validating designs, including any simulations or analyses you've performed. Emphasize your focus on thorough documentation and the importance of continuous improvement based on test results.

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Describe your experience working with suppliers or manufacturers.

Refer to specific examples where you collaborated with suppliers or manufacturers, detailing your role, what you learned from the experience, and how it impacted the success of your projects.

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What strategies do you use for effective project management?

Discuss your approach to planning, prioritizing tasks, and keeping the team on track. Include examples of tools or methodologies you use to manage engineering projects efficiently.

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How do you stay updated on the latest trends in optical and mechanical design?

Share your sources for industry news and trends, whether it be professional organizations, journals, webinars, or networking events. Highlight your commitment to lifelong learning and staying at the forefront of technology.

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Our mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. To deliver this, we are building the Aurora Driver, a platform that brings together our software, hardware, and data services to power all types of veh...

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January 27, 2025

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