Careers within the Blackhorn Network

Blackhorn has an expansive network of innovative companies that are driving resource efficiency and decarbonization across energy, transportation & logistics, and built environment sectors. Explore the career opportunities below. If you'd like to stay connected on future opportunities not listed below, please reach out to our team (will@blackhornvc.com).
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Senior Mechanical Engineer

Aperia Technologies

Aperia Technologies

Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Posted on Jul 31, 2024

Aperia is unlocking a new era of efficiency and sustainability for commercial vehicle fleets, by developing innovative hardware and data analytics solutions. Inventors of the award- winning and disruptive Halotm Automatic Tire Inflator, and the cloud delivered Halo Connect tire analytics platform. Aperia saves fleets thousands of hours of down-time every week, reduces the carbon footprint and environmental impact of the freight industry. Join us as we expand our product offering and take the next steps on our journey toward bringing the "backbone of our economy" into the automation age.

Your Role

Aperia Technologies Inc, a thriving venture funded automotive company based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Is undergoing rapid expansion. To support our ongoing product growth both domestically and internationally, we are seeking to enhance our hardware design engineering presence in Michigan, with potential new locations in Ann Arbor and/or Grand Rapids. As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be expected to take the lead on a variety of projects - from early-stage design to late stage validation efforts – while guiding and lifting the team around you. You will create validation plans and design test fixtures. You will perform field installs and collect real-world feedback.

Your Responsibilities

  • Regularly design and optimize next generation products by performing concept generation, analysis, CAD, prototyping, DFM, DFA and user studies.
  • Continuously lead design projects by mentoring and guiding less experienced engineers.
  • Regularly uphold good documentation practices, including keeping comprehensive design journals and test reports to ensure consistency, standardization and knowledge preservation.
  • Lead the formulation of early concepts and garner feedback from stakeholders and talk with customers to devise product requirements, ensuring optimal designs.
  • Develop test plans, required testing fixtures and test flows as needed, ensuring comprehensive testing, standardization of testing procedures and improving accuracy and reliability.
  • Direct suppliers and Vendors to get designs production ready by providing detailed specs, defining quality standard and requirements, building prototypes and using feedback loops, manufacturability analysis and process capabilities when required.
  • Collaborate with Operations team to successfully launch products into production.

Design Experience / Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline.
  • Minimum of 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
  • Experience leading projects and guiding small teams of engineers and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Extensive knowledge of volume production of sheet metal, injection molded plastics, casting, fatigue failure analysis, and vibration testing.
  • Strong competency in the following:
    • Systems thinking and the ability to understand the driving variables within a system.
    • Mechanical design and analysis of dynamic electro-mechanical systems.
    • Mechanical aptitude, hands-on assembly, modification, and tweaking/tinkering.
    • Electromechanical workings, sensor integration, motor control, data logging, and test automation.
    • LabVIEW, MATLAB, Excel, C++ (or similar microcontroller programming language).
    • Simulation tools within CAD programs (SolidWorks is a plus).
    • 3D CAD (SolidWorks or similar).
    • Teamwork, collaboration, and mentorship of teammates.
  • Familiarity in the following:
    • Test fixture design; fabrication; hands-on assembly, calibration, adjustment, and modification
    • Reliability science concepts and application
    • Accelerated test methods and application: vibration, thermal
    • Weibull statistical analysis
    • Mechatronics, microcontrollers, motorized systems, robotics
    • Data science, manipulating large datasets
    • Fabrication via machining, welding, bolted assemblies, 3D printing, laser cutting
    • Pneumatic systems

Pay Range: $100,000 - $150,000

*Base salary only. Salary dependent on multiple factors including, but not limited to, experience and location.

**Additional compensation may include equity, bonuses, stipends, medical, dental, vision, 401-k, and long-term disability insurance.