Bachelor's degree in mechanical, automotive, or systems engineering
5+ years in automotive or commercial vehicle manufacturing, focusing on product design or component packaging
Deep understanding of vehicle system architecture and integration across multiple systems
Experience with external Tier 1s, vendors, and suppliers in a technical role
Proficiency in CAD/PLM tools, such as CATIA, for integration validation
Responsibilities
Define and own vehicle architecture, establishing design rules and system boundaries
Drive integration across all vehicle systems, ensuring manufacturability and serviceability
Lead the integration of external assembly systems into Blue Bird platforms
Manage the Digital Mock-Up process, ensuring clash-free designs
Establish and control system interfaces, ensuring compatibility and traceability
Create actionable product and system requirements from loosely defined designs
Drive performance, cost, and manufacturability trade-offs for decision making
Benefits
Continued Professional Development
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
14 paid holidays
Vacation time
401k matching
Full Job Description
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Integration & Vehicle Architecture Engineer is the critical technical owner of vehicle-level integration and architecture definition across Blue Bird platforms. This role is responsible for establishing the structural, spatial, and functional framework that governs how all major vehicle systems interact, integrate, and perform. Operating at the intersection of chassis, body, powertrain, and electrical systems, this role drives critical architecture decisions that directly impact vehicle performance, manufacturability, cost and serviceability. This role requires a highly experienced engineer who can operate with autonomy, define structure in ambiguous environments, and lead cross-functional teams through complex technical trade-offs under aggressive timelines.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Vehicle Architecture Ownership: Define and own the vehicle architecture from a blank slate, establishing system boundaries, interfaces, and design rules that determine how the vehicle comes together.
Packaging & Envelope Leadership: Own the full vehicle package and envelope, driving integration across all systems and resolving conflicts to deliver a manufacturable, serviceable, and high-performance design.
New Platform Integration: Lead the integration of externally sourced assembly systems into Blue Bird platforms, defining how body, electrical, and propulsion systems interface in a production-ready architecture.
DMU Ownership & Integration Governance: Own the Digital Mock-Up (DMU) process as the primary integration control, leading reviews, enforcing standards, and ensuring clash-free, build-ready designs before physical validation.
Interface Definition & Control: Establish and manage system interfaces across all domains, ensuring clear ownership, compatibility, and traceability throughout development.
Requirements Definition & Systems Structure: Create and own product and system requirements from the ground up, transforming loosely defined or legacy designs into clear, actionable frameworks that support rapid development and high-quality decision-making.
System Trade-Offs & Decision Making: Drive trade-offs across performance, cost, weight, manufacturability, and serviceability. Make fast, high-quality decisions with incomplete information.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Align engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams. Resolve conflicts with clear technical direction and accountability for outcomes.
Vendor & Supplier Integration: Work directly with key vendors and suppliers to define requirements, resolve constraints, and ensure system compatibility.
Prototype Through Production: Lead integration from prototype builds through launch, quickly diagnosing issues and driving practical, scalable solutions.
Design for Build & Service: Ensure designs support efficient assembly, production scalability, and field serviceability.
Operate in Ambiguity: Create structure where none exists. Define processes, drive execution, and deliver results in a fast-moving, evolving environment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
Deep understanding of vehicle system architecture and cross-domain integration (mechanical, electrical, thermal)
Proven ability to resolve complex packaging and interface challenges across multiple systems
Strong decision-making capability in ambiguous, fast-paced environments with competing priorities
Ability to influence and align cross-functional teams without formal authority
Experience working with external Tier 1s, vendors and suppliers in a technical integration capacity.
Proficiency in CAD/PLM tools (e.g., CATIA) for layout, sectioning, and integration validation.
Working knowledge of DFMEA and design for manufacturability/serviceability principles.
Demonstrated experience in vehicle integration, system architecture, or platform development at a vehicle platform level.
Proven experience owning complex packaging and integration challenges across multiple vehicle systems
Experience supporting programs through prototype builds and production launch.
BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Bachelor's degree in mechanical, automotive, or systems engineering.
5+ years in automotive or commercial vehicle manufacturing, with a focus on product design or component packaging.
All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPEREINCE:
Experience with body-on-chassis or stripped chassis vehicle platforms in commercial or medium-duty applications
Experience integrating externally sourced large assemblies or working with incomplete vehicle OEMs.
Background in defining or rebuilding product and system requirements in low-structure environments.
Experience in electric or alternative powertrain vehicle integration (HV systems, batteries, thermal).
WE VALUE
Takes ownership of complex problems and drives them to resolution without waiting for direction.
Thrives in ambiguous, fast-paced environments where structure is limited and expectations are high.
Thinks in systems and trade-offs, not just components or subsystems.
Has the confidence to make decisions with incomplete information and stand behind them.
Can influence and align cross-functional teams without formal authority.
Balances speed with sound engineering judgment, knowing when to push forward and when to go deeper.
Wants to build and shape something meaningful, not just maintain existing systems.
INCLUDES
Continued Professional Development
Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching
WORK CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Office environment and production environment
Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
Fast-paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal
Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
You must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
Frequent communication with people throughout the day
*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of school buses. The company was founded in 1927 and is headquartered in Fort Valley, Georgia. Blue Bird Corporation offers a variety of bus models, including electric, propane, and compressed natural gas-powered buses. The company also provides aftermarket parts and service support for its buses.
