Electromechanical Hardware Engineer at OTIV · Ghent

Who we are

OTIV is a Ghent-based company leading the autonomous revolution in rail. We are on a mission to increase safety and efficiency of railway operations by teaching rail vehicles to drive autonomously. By making trains more efficient and safer, we actively contribute to a modal shift and a greener future. We bring this vision to life by a unique focus on the most challenging environments such as cities, shunting yards and industrial sites. Thanks to high-profile partners and world-leading clients such as Deutsche Bahn, SNCF Group, ArcelorMittal and CAF we deliver the future of railway operations today.

OTIV is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristic. OTIV strives to create an environment in which all employees feel confident in their ability to bring their authentic selves to work and secure collaborating with colleagues and customers.

What you will do

As an Electromechanical Hardware Engineer, you will contribute to the mechanical development of next-generation rail systems, from early design through prototyping, validation, and into production. You will be part of our engineering team, reporting to our Hardware Lead. Expect to work across disciplines, mechanical, electrical, thermal, and RF, ensuring designs are reliable, manufacturable, and standards-compliant. You’ll be the glue between engineering, operations, and external suppliers. You’ll make sure the electrical/cabling layouts are fit for system integration. The mission is to contribute to the development of OTIV’s autonomous rail technology, helping reduce emissions, improve safety, and reshape the future of transportation.

Tasks and responsibilities

As an electromechanical hardware engineer at OTIV, you will

• Create mechanical design of hardware mounts, enclosures, and integration components using CAD tools (e.g. Fusion 360 / SolidWorks / CREO)
• Drive product development from concept through validation and into production, ensuring DFM/DFA/DFT/DFR principles are applied
• Define and execute test & validation plans through certification processes, including FAI, thermal testing, vibration, IP, EMC, and mechanical reliability
• Select materials and components based on durability, thermal, and compliance requirements
• Develop and document installation manuals, BoMs, mechanical/electrical interface overviews, and technical specifications
• Create and maintain electrical integration diagrams between our system and tram/train interfaces
• Manage suppliers and prototyping partners, ensuring quality deliverables and timely execution
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) for mechanical failures or integration challenges
• Participate in on-site (EU) installations, measurements, and client visits (pre-installation and post-installation)
• Contribute in electrical/cabling layouts and connector integration
• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, QA and operations teams
• Manage the PLM system and own documentation for assigned modules/components

Skills & experience:

• Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent professional experience)
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical hardware design, preferably in transportation, industrial, or rugged environments
• CAD / Mechanical Design (e.g. Fusion 360, SolidWorks, CREO)
• QA / FAI / Reliability Testing
• DFx (DFM, DFA, DFT, DFR)
• Thermal Design & Analysis
• Material Selection & Specification
• Cabling & Wiring Integration (Low-voltage / Rail-grade)
• Antennas / Connectivity Mechanical Considerations
• Compliance (CE, IP, EMC, Shock, Vibration)
• Validation & Test Planning
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• PLM / BoM Management - Documentation & Installation Guides
• Strong cross-team communication
• Knowledge of electrical fundamentals relevant to cabling, grounding, and EMC

Nice to have:

• Experience with railway compliance standards (e.g. EN 50155, EN 45545-2, EN 50716)
• Embedded system packaging (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, PLCs)
• PCB Enclosure & Integration Design
• FEA / Simulation (e.g. Fusion simulation tools, Ansys)
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies

What we offer

• Full time offer with competitive salary package.
• International environment in a disruptive scale-up with opportunities to grow.
• Early riser or night owl? Either way, you’ll fit right in our flexible working hours system.
• Hybrid working policy, with an office in beautiful Ghent (Belgium).
• Collaborative, transparent, and fun-loving office culture.
• Team events and quarterly offsite.
• 32 days of vacation.