Systems Engineer

Overview

Imagine shaping the future of urban mobility by designing the very systems that keep passengers safe in next-generation autonomous vehicles. Partnering with Aquent and our client—a visionary leader in the self-driving technology space—you will have the unique opportunity to take hands-on technical ownership of advanced restraint systems from concept through production. Your expertise will directly influence the safety, performance, and success of a revolutionary mobility-as-a-service ecosystem, making a tangible impact on the future of transportation.

The Opportunity

Aquent has partnered with a groundbreaking pioneer in the autonomous vehicle industry to find an exceptional engineering professional dedicated to occupant protection. Our client sits at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and advanced design, aiming to deliver next-generation mobility solutions. By joining this fast-paced, innovative team, you will collaborate with world-class experts to solve complex engineering challenges and bring cutting-edge safety technologies to life.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will drive safety and innovation across the entire development lifecycle. Your day-to-day contributions will include:

• Developing and owning restraint system requirements and technical specifications, cascading them seamlessly to components and suppliers.
• Leading restraint components from initial concept through production release, ensuring compliance with global homologation, certification, and program safety standards.
• Driving the RFQ process for safety components, including preparing technical packages, evaluating supplier proposals, and guiding sourcing decisions.
• Conducting structured root-cause analysis (such as 8D and Fishbone) to resolve critical design, build, and production readiness challenges.
• Planning, executing, and signing off on restraint testing at both the component and full-system levels.
• Utilizing CAE tools to guide design optimization and validate occupant protection performance.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams—including quality, supply chain, and manufacturing—to perform DFMEAs, review designs, and ensure high-quality manufacturability.
• Managing engineering changes, packaging investigations, and technical documentation using industry-standard tools like Jira, Confluence, Polarion, and PLM platforms.

What You Bring (Required Qualifications)

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 4+ years of hands-on design and release experience specifically with automotive restraint components.
• Proven experience writing and managing system-level and component-level technical specifications.
• Strong background in supporting RFQs and managing supplier relationships for safety-critical automotive components.
• Demonstrated experience testing and validating restraint systems to meet regulatory, homologation, and certification standards (such as FMVSS and NCAP).
• Familiarity with applying CAE tools to guide and validate restraint system performance.
• Solid understanding of DFMEA and PFMEA methodologies for passive safety components.
• Proficiency with structured root-cause analysis tools (8D, Fishbone) and project management platforms like Jira, Confluence, and Polarion.
• Experience using 3DX or similar PLM tools to investigate packaging and part relationships.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to confidently navigate complex multi-supplier dynamics.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support vehicle builds, supplier visits, and physical testing.

Bonus Qualifications

• A deep passion for electric vehicles, autonomous mobility, and next-generation automotive design.
• Up-to-date knowledge of emerging occupant protection technologies and advanced restraint developments.
• Experience leveraging AI tools to accelerate engineering documentation, data analysis, and workflow efficiency.