Mechanical Engineer - Engineer, Chassis & Vehicle Dynamic

DoorDash•Oakland, CA

About The Position

DoorDash Labs is DoorDash’s innovation hub, developing automation and robotics solutions to improve last-mile logistics. The Mechanical Engineer will develop and improve chassis systems and vehicle-dynamics performance for DOT, DoorDash’s autonomous delivery robot. The role combines hands-on mechanical design, engineering analysis, and vehicle testing to improve current platforms and develop suspension and chassis solutions for future projects. The engineer will own work from requirements and concept development through detailed CAD design, prototype evaluation, and validation. In collaboration with internal teams and suppliers, the role assesses designs, resolves technical challenges, and ensures chassis systems meet performance, durability, and integration requirements. The work influences how DOT rides, handles, brakes, and traverses real-world terrain, while improving the reliability and serviceability of deployed robots.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Experience designing and developing suspension, chassis, or related mechanical systems for vehicles or mobile robots.
Understanding of suspension kinematics, load transfer, tire behavior, stiffness and damping, braking, and vehicle stability, with ability to apply these fundamentals to hardware design.
Proficiency in NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or a comparable CAD platform, and experience releasing detailed mechanical designs.
Ability to apply sound engineering judgment to load cases, structural integrity, fatigue, bearings, bolted joints, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Ability to independently assess designs and analyses, identify technical risks, and drive issues to resolution with internal teams and suppliers.
Hands-on experience with prototype assembly, instrumentation, vehicle testing, and root cause analysis.
Ability to translate requirements into test methods and acceptance criteria, and use Python, MATLAB, or similar tools to evaluate results.
Ability to take ownership from initial investigation through implementation and verification.

Responsibilities

Design and improve suspension and chassis systems, including suspension geometry, linkages, wheel-end assemblies, and drivetrain and brake mounting interfaces.
Own mechanical design execution by developing concepts, detailed CAD models, engineering drawings, GD&T, and tolerance analyses for prototype builds and production release.
Sustain and improve existing platforms by investigating field issues, performing root cause analysis, and implementing validated engineering changes.
Define chassis and vehicle-dynamics requirements for ride quality, traction, braking, stability, ground clearance, and obstacle traversal across terrain and payload conditions.
Provide technical oversight of supplier-developed hardware by reviewing designs, analyses, and test results to ensure requirements are met and systems integrate successfully.
Develop and execute verification and validation plans with reliability, test, and integration teams, and establish measurable acceptance criteria for components and complete vehicles.
Lead instrumented vehicle-dynamics testing, analyze results, and translate findings into hardware improvements and operating limits.
Partner with controls and autonomy engineers to characterize vehicle capabilities and improve motion performance.
Support prototype builds, manufacturing, and service teams by resolving integration issues and improving durability, manufacturability, and maintainability.