Electrical Systems Diagnostics Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA•Foster City, CA

2h•$115,000 - $135,000•Onsite

About The Position

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking an Electrical Systems Diagnostics Engineer focused on diagnostics and root cause analysis. The engineer will serve as a key link between design engineering teams and fleet operations technicians, helping ensure the reliability and uptime of public vehicles. The role involves leading complex electrical troubleshooting, supporting hands-on repairs, and conducting formal Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to prevent recurring issues. Based onsite in Foster City, California, five days per week, the position includes regular travel within the Bay Area to support plant activity in Hayward, California. The engineer will investigate vehicle networks, collaborate with technicians on the shop floor, and translate diagnostic findings into actionable engineering improvements. The role also includes mentoring and training technicians, coordinating with cross-functional partners, and communicating findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in automotive, robotics, aerospace, or a similar industry.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related technical field.
Understanding of standard wire harness repair processes and ability to demonstrate and coach technicians.
Hands-on experience with industry-standard CAN network analysis tools such as Vector CANalyzer, CANoe, or PCAN, including monitoring traffic, injecting signals, and diagnosing network health.
Practical knowledge of formal Root Cause Analysis methods, such as Shainin, 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa diagrams, and Fault Tree Analysis.
Ability to read complex wiring schematics and use bench tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers.
Comfort with hands-on vehicle work, including turning wrenches and working directly on vehicles.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to build trust and work effectively with technicians and design engineers.
Ability to work onsite in Foster City five days per week and travel within the Bay Area to support plant activity in Hayward.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.

Nice To Haves

Spanish fluency.
Ability to analyze remote vehicle logs to identify fleet issues early.
Familiarity with automotive functional safety standards such as ISO 26262.
Experience leading fast-paced teams in response to critical, high-pressure problems.

Responsibilities

Serve as the highest-level escalation point for complex electrical, electronic, and network issues on public vehicles.
Use CAN tools and advanced diagnostic equipment to interrogate vehicle networks, pinpoint communication faults, and isolate hardware and software anomalies.
Analyze vehicle log data to reconstruct failure events and identify system-level electrical faults.
Develop and document standardized diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting trees for technicians.
Lead cross-functional Root Cause Analysis investigations for systemic or high-severity electrical failures using industry-standard methodologies.
Implement temporary containment actions, workarounds, or immediate repairs while driving permanent corrective actions.
Present RCA findings to hardware, firmware, and software engineering teams to inform design iterations and improve vehicle reliability.
Maintain failure-analysis documentation and track the effectiveness of implemented solutions.
Work alongside service technicians to guide complex repairs and component replacements.
Translate engineering concepts into practical guidance for technicians and incorporate their feedback on serviceability and diagnostic issues.
Advocate for improvements to diagnostic software and vehicle design based on technician feedback.
Train technicians in CAN tools, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and electrical safety protocols.
Communicate technical issues, requirements, and RCA findings to engineering teams and provide concise explanations to non-technical stakeholders and program leadership.
Coordinate across the Foster City and Hayward sites, keeping cross-functional partners aligned on status, risk, and next steps.
Prepare written summaries and verbal briefings tailored to technicians, engineers, and senior decision-makers.