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Senior Vehicle Controls Engineer

Gillig · Livermore, CA

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Level
Senior
Team
Controls
Base pay
$128k–$165k
Degree
Required
Experience asked
32+ years
Industry
Automotive
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior controls role at Gillig (automotive) in Livermore, CA.

They ask for
32+ years · degree required
Tools it names
FMEA, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Assembly lines
Base pay
$128k–$165k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $124k–$179k. This one lists $128k–$165k.

Median of the low and high ends of 57 live postings that list pay, out of 90 controls engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 89 other live controls postings in California.

Base pay
In line with similar roles

Typical $123k–$179k, from 55 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (32+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • Automation 61%
  • PLC 47%
  • ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 39%
  • Python 38%
  • Robotics 34%
  • ✓ New product launch 20%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for FMEA, Assembly lines, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 32+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Gillig

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Gillig in Livermore

1 other open role at this site.

Full description from GilligAs posted on their careers site.Show

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Controls Engineer who will lead the development of control algorithms for critical body functions across all vehicle platforms. You will be directly involved in developing, testing, and releasing algorithms for various systems, subsystems, and components – including the HMI driver display, passenger doors, ramp, interior lighting, HVAC, vehicle safety systems, LV power distribution, etc. – ensuring that all algorithms meet safety, regulatory, reliability, and performance requirements. You will also lead the creation of advanced vehicle diagnostics and detailed troubleshooting guides to support technicians in resolving bus issues effectively.

This is a hands-on, on-site role at our Livermore, CA plant and reports to the Controls Engineering Manager but may also receive directions and guidance from other senior and/or staff engineers.

In this role you will

  • ◆Create functional

requirements

for vehicle behavior to ensure compliance with program

requirements

and standards. Define communication interfaces and protocols for all vehicle systems, while ensuring communication network loads and traffic remain within design limits

  • ✓Develop, test, and validate control algorithms to improve both existing and future vehicle capabilities
  • ✓Participate in DFMEA, FMEA-MSR, hazard, and risk assessments to enhance fault detection and minimize potential failures
  • ✓Create environments to design, test, and refine electronic control systems prior to their integration on a vehicle
  • ✓Actively contribute to software-specific design test plans. Perform hands-on troubleshooting, testing, and validation activities both onsite and in the field. Collaborate with engineers to bring up prototype vehicles and address issues effectively
  • ✓Lead the development of advanced vehicle diagnostics and create detailed troubleshooting guides to support efficient issue identification and resolution. Provide technical input to generate vehicle manuals, ensuring accuracy and completeness
  • ✓Architect and maintain control development processes, including version control, automated code review, and regression testing
  • ✓Release software through the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system while maintaining traceability throughout the entire bus lifecycle
  • ✓Lead continuous improvement efforts for control systems to enhance vehicle reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction. Analyze field data and feedback to identify areas for improvement

Scope of the role

  • ◆Autonomy: Ability to work independently with review at critical points.
  • ◆Technically Minded: Apply industry practices and standards (NFPA, NEC, APTA, etc.) and provide input and advice to other staff members on industry practices and standards. Exhibit advanced wide-ranging experience, using in-depth professional knowledge, acumen, concepts and company objectives to develop, resolve complex models and procedures.
  • ◆Time Management: Work productively to deliver projects on schedule and on budget.
  • ◆Communication: Collaborate and teach up, down and across the organization to help raise the skills and knowledge of the GILLIG team. Adapt style to differing audiences and adept at persuasion on complex subjects.
  • ◆Complexity: Responsible for a certain set of commodities or design elements within the team. Work on problems of diverse scopes where analysis of information requires evaluation of multiple factors. Devise solutions based on limited information and precedents and adapt existing approaches to resolve issues. Use engineering principles, judgment, and interpretation to select the right course of action.
  • ◆Quality & Standards: Technical documentation and deliverables are accurate and complete. Released designs are cost effective, manufacturable, serviceable, meet all performance objectives, & meet customer requirements.

Qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor's or advanced degree in Engineering
  • ✓Minimum 5
Show full description ↓

As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in the environmental and social initiatives in communities across our nation. GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation in the industry for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support. From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA.

Why gillig

  • •Leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, near-zero CNG and clean diesel transit buses
  • •Renowned for its inclusive team/family-oriented culture
  • •Stable, successful, and growing organization – a Bay Area business for over 132 years!
  • •Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
  • •Excellent compensation including company paid medical premiums, generous retirement plan and other comprehensive benefits

Department overview

GILLIG Engineering is responsible for the development, customization, and configuration of GILLIG’s clean technology heavy-duty transit buses. We are committed to developing the most reliable vehicles that connect communities, eliminate congestion, and contribute to a greener environment. Our engineers are engaged in designing, analyzing, testing, launching, and problem solving across a wide range of technical areas.

The Controls Team is responsible for the development and integration of advanced control algorithms for critical body functions across all vehicle platforms. Working closely with cross-functional teams, they conduct rigorous testing and validation to ensure these algorithms meet functional requirements, comply with regulatory standards, and contribute to delivering high-quality, reliable transit buses to the market.

Technical focus

Body Controls

Develop and implement control algorithms for vehicle body systems, ensuring seamless integration of electrical, thermal, and mechanical subsystems and components, including HVAC, lighting, doors, and safety systems.

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