Company Overview

Kindred is a rapidly growing, venture backed start-up focused on unlocking the conversion of gasoline vehicles to electric using our technology and scale.

We are marketing folks, technicians, software developers, mechanical engineers, designers, painters, and car lovers. We love a whiff of gasoline and we geek out about the torque provided by electric motors. Above all we believe the world is a better place with vintage cars out on the road.

We strive to create a meaningful workplace at Kindred, which means something different for each of our team members. For some, it’s getting these immortal vehicles on the road. For others it’s the portion of revenue we donate to our local community for every vehicle sold. For many at Kindred, it’s the inclusive work environment we’ve created.

Our cars create joyful experiences for our customers and immense pride for our team. If you can match our passion, values, and work ethic, we want you!

Position Summary

Kindred is hiring a hands-on Vehicle Harness Engineering Manager who will be responsible for power and signal distribution on Kindred vehicles from concept to production. This individual will be tasked with creating engineering requirements and specifications for the harnesses as well as collaborating with suppliers and peers to deliver a functioning subsystem. Your area of expertise is the mechanical integration, fabrication and assembly of harness systems. You are excited being hands-on to apply your engineering knowledge and you are extremely comfortable with hand-tools and rapid prototyping fabrication. Independence, good communication and documentation skills are key to succeed in this role. The role will manage one direct report, an Electrical Engineer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Responsible for vehicle power and signal distribution on the vehicle.

• Own engineering specifications, requirements, schematics, and drawings for the vehicle harnesses
• Provide technical expertise on power, signal and data bus distribution as well as ground specification needed in Kindred vehicles; for example on CAN, CAN-FD, low voltage and high voltage distribution
• Collaborate with cross functional team members to complete the system specification and fill gaps were needed
• Collaborate with internal teams as well as suppliers/vendors as needed to build prototype and production vehicles
• Develop and refine tools and methods currently leveraged by the team
• Hire, motivate and develop a high-performing Vehicle Harness Engineering team
• Mentor engineers on the team in the principles of power and signal distribution and best practices

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or similar engineering discipline
• 5-7 years of hands-on experience with vehicle harnesses
• 1-2 years of experience as a Manager or in a Lead role
• Delivered a system to production (preferred - from inception to production)
• Experience leading a small team or mentoring junior engineers
• Ability to build and leverage cross-functional relationships
• Experience in the Automotive, Truck/Transportation industry
• Experience with high voltage vehicle standards and requirements
• Ability to size and select the appropriate cables, connectors and fuses
• Experience with ECAD and/or drawing software
• Strong troubleshooting and project management skills
• Excellent communication and documentation skills

Desired Skills

• Automotive experience
• Proficiency with OnShape (CAD), Arcadia (ECAD) and Arena (PLM)
• Experience with EVs (Electric Vehicles)

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

The work environment may include exposure to noise, fumes, and heat. Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times in accordance with safety regulations.

Walking, sitting, standing, bending, and stooping. Lifting, carrying, or pushing/pulling supplies, materials, equipment and/or items weighing up to 75 pounds. Clean and well-organized unconditioned shop environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but at times requires ear plugs, use of eye protection, and/or occasional use of a respirator.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.