Staff Industrial Designer

Aurora Innovation Aurora Innovation · Robotics · Mountain View, CA · Hardware

Staff Industrial Designer role at Aurora Innovation, focusing on the design and integration of self-driving kit vehicles and user interactions. The role involves developing user-centric designs, communicating ideas through various media, collaborating with engineering and OEM partners, and ensuring manufacturability and scalability. Requires experience in industrial/automotive/product design, CAD proficiency, sketching skills, and knowledge of manufacturing processes. Desirable qualifications include familiarity with OEM environments, sensor integration, and a strong curiosity for product assembly.

What you'd actually do

  1. Develop thoughtful user-centric, well-resolved design solutions for self-driving kit vehicle integration and user interactions - Engaged with user researchers and product team experts.
  2. Communicate ideas through sketching, CAD, and high-quality visual assets to support storytelling and curation of concepts, in collaboration with design and marketing teams.
  3. Partner closely with engineering and aero partners to balance design intent with performance and feasibility.
  4. Collaborate with vehicle teams for seamless platform integration including mounting, protection, serviceability, and applying DFM principles in support of scalability.
  5. Prototype and test designs to validate decisions and identify potential issues early in the process.

Skills

Required

  • 3–6+ years of experience in industrial, automotive or product design
  • Portfolio demonstrating strong execution and a grasp of the end to end process from discovery through DFM refinement
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, Alias, Keyshot or similar) for A-Surface design iteration development and visualization
  • Strong sketching skills used as a thinking tool and high fidelity presentation tool internally and externally
  • Working knowledge of manufacturing processes (injection molding, CNC, sheet metal, etc.) and experience collaborating with engineers on complex products

Nice to have

  • Familiarity with OEM or product design studio development environments and supplier collaboration
  • Exposure to sensor integration, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras
  • A strong curiosity regarding product assembly and a willingness to refine designs based on real-world constraints
  • High ownership, a focus on quality outcomes, and meticulous attention to detail

What the JD emphasized

  • highly collaborative
  • detail-oriented
  • practical problem-solving
  • clear communication
  • hands-on engagement
  • DFM principles
  • sensor integration