Algorithm & Functional Development Manager

BWI GROUP; Brighton (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

BWI GROUP is looking for an Algorithm & Functional Development Manager in Brighton, Michigan. This role involves leading a team to design, implement, and validate algorithms for the company's products while ensuring compliance with necessary standards.

The ideal candidate will have a background in electrical engineering with significant experience in algorithm development, as well as leadership abilities for managing a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in algorithm development and control systems.
• Experience in technical leadership or people management for 2+ years.
• Strong proficiency with tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, Python.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team in designing and validating control algorithms.
• Develop lifecycle management for algorithms from concept to production.
• Ensure compliance with safety and cybersecurity standards.

Skills

Algorithm development

Control systems

Signal processing

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Python

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field

Job description

Algorithm & Functional Development Manager

The Algorithm & Functional Development Manager leads a team responsible for designing, implementing, and validating control algorithms and software functions for the company’s products and systems. This role combines technical leadership, project management, and cross‑functional collaboration to deliver robust, production‑ready algorithms that meet performance, safety, quality, and cost targets.

Job Responsibilities

• Technical leadership and architecture
  Own the overall strategy and roadmap for algorithm and functional development within the product line(s).
• Define system and software functional requirements in collaboration with systems, hardware, and product engineering.
• Lead the design of control algorithms, signal processing, diagnostics, and functional logic for embedded or application‑level software.
• Establish standards for modeling (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink), coding, documentation, and configuration management.
• Review and approve key technical design decisions, ensuring alignment with safety, regulatory, and cybersecurity requirements as applicable.
• Development lifecycle management
  Plan, organize, and manage the full development lifecycle for algorithms and functions, from concept through production release.
• Translate business and customer requirements into detailed technical specifications and use cases.
• Oversee implementation, integration, and unit/component testing, including model‑in‑the‑loop, software‑in‑the‑loop, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop validation where applicable.
• Ensure effective defect tracking, root cause analysis, and resolution for functional issues discovered in development, test, or field use.
• Drive continuous improvement of development processes, toolchains, and automation (e.g., CI/CD, test automation, static analysis).
• Cross‑functional collaboration
  Partner with product management and systems engineering to prioritize features, clarify requirements, and balance scope, quality, and timelines.
• Collaborate with hardware, mechanical, and test engineering to ensure algorithms and functions are properly integrated at the system level.
• Support customer programs by explaining algorithm behavior, performance trade‑offs, and proposed solutions to issues.
• Work closely with quality, safety, and validation teams to define acceptance criteria and ensure compliance with applicable standards (e.g., ASPICE, ISO 26262, DO‑178, etc., if relevant).
• People leadership and team development
  Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing team of algorithm engineers and functional developers.
• Assign projects, manage workload and priorities, and set clear performance and development goals.
• Provide coaching, technical mentoring, and career development for team members, including training on tools, methods, and standards.
• Recruit, onboard, and retain talent necessary to meet current and future business needs.
• Project and portfolio management
  Define project plans, estimates, resource allocations, and schedules for algorithm/functional development activities.
• Track progress against milestones, manage risks and dependencies, and communicate status to stakeholders.
• Support make‑vs‑buy decisions and evaluate external solutions, tools, or libraries where appropriate.
• Manage development budgets within area of responsibility, balancing innovation, speed, and cost.

Requirement Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field.
• Typically, 7+ years of experience in algorithm development, control systems, signal processing, or related software/functional development, including 2+ years in a technical leadership or people management role.
• Demonstrated experience developing and deploying algorithms in embedded or real‑time systems (e.g., automotive, industrial, robotics, motion control, or similar domain).
• Strong proficiency with relevant tools and languages (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, Python, model-based development, or equivalents used in your organization).
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize work, and deliver results within scope, timeline, and budget constraints.

Preferred Qualifications

• Adjust these based on your specific technologies (e.g., braking, steering, chassis, powertrain, ADAS).
• Master’s degree in relevant engineering or science discipline.
• Experience in the automotive or manufacturing industry with exposure to product development cycles (e.g., APQP, ASPICE).
• Knowledge of functional safety or regulatory standards relevant to your products (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 61508).
• Background in control theory, estimation, optimization, or machine learning applied to real‑world systems.
• Experience working in Agile or hybrid project management environments.

Travel Required

>50% travel to meet customers and suppliers with day travel to the various manufacturing facilities as required.

Language Skills

Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Computer Skills

Ability to use and understand Windows Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and SharePoint, Microsoft (email). This is additional to the computer skill requirements as stated in the requirement qualifications.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Able to read and understand engineering prints/drawings. Good level of analytical skills and interpersonal skills. Ability to work on a team. Ability to guide the efforts of support personnel. Good teambuilding skills.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and to talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.