Automotive Thermal and HVAC Control Engineer New Richmond, CA

Glydways; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Glydways is seeking an Automotive Thermal and HVAC Control Engineer to analyze requirements and develop control algorithms for thermal systems and cabin climate control. You’ll collaborate with software teams to implement and test these algorithms, validating through simulations, HIL, and real-world tests.

The role focuses on optimal thermal management, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort, with strong emphasis on modeling and validation using Dymola, MATLAB/Simulink, and Python.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with control system development tools such as Dymola, MATLAB/Simulink, or Python.
• Knowledge of automotive HVAC systems, thermal management components, and sensors.
• Experience with developing thermal control systems using PID or other feedback control.
• Experience with thermal power modeling and energy usage simulation.
• Familiarity with CAN bus and embedded systems.
• Hands-on HIL testing or virtual calibration experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyze system requirements for automotive thermal management and HVAC systems.
• Design and develop control algorithms for thermal systems, including HVAC cabin climate control.
• Collaborate with software developers to translate algorithms into code.
• Validate and test control algorithms using simulation tools, HIL, and real-world tests.
• Conduct thermal architecture analysis using 1D modeling techniques.
• Provide feedback for thermal system architecture optimization and improvement.
• Optimize system performance for energy efficiency, reliability and comfort.
• Document specifications, test plans and results.

Skills

Control system development

Dymola

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Thermal management knowledge

CAN bus / Embedded systems

Team collaboration

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical or Electrical)

Master's degree preferred

Tools

HIL testing tools

Simulation tools

Job description

Automotive Thermal and HVAC Control Engineer

Who we are:

Glydways is reimagining what public transit can be. We believe that mobility is the gateway to opportunity—connecting people to housing, education, employment, commerce, and care. By making transportation more accessible, affordable, and sustainable, we empower communities to thrive and unlock economic and social prosperity.

Our mission is to revolutionize transit with a solution that delivers high capacity, exceptional user experiences, unmatched affordability, and minimal environmental impact.

The Glydways system is a groundbreaking network of carbon-neutral, interconnected transit pathways powered by standardized autonomous vehicles on dedicated roadways. Operating 24/7 with on-demand access, it offers personalized and efficient mobility—without the burden of heavy upfront infrastructure costs or ongoing taxpayer subsidies.

With Glydways, we’re building more than a transportation system; we’re creating a future where everyone, everywhere, has the freedom to move.

We are seeking an Automotive Thermal and HVAC Control Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate will focus on analyzing requirements, developing algorithms to control thermal systems and HVAC cabin systems, and collaborating with software developers to implement and test these algorithms. This role is critical in ensuring optimal vehicle thermal management and cabin comfort.

• Analyze system requirements for automotive thermal management and HVAC systems.
• Design and develop control algorithms for thermal systems, including HVAC cabin climate control.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software developers, to translate algorithms into functional code.
• Validate and test control algorithms using simulation tools, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and real-world testing environments.
• Conduct thermal architecture analysis using 1 dimensional modeling techniques (Dymola preferred).
• Provide feedback for thermal system architecture optimization and improvement.
• Optimize system performance for energy efficiency, reliability, and occupant comfort.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and resolve issues in thermal system performance.
• Document technical specifications, test plans, and results.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with control system development tools such as Dymola, MATLAB/Simulink, or Python.
• Knowledge of automotive HVAC systems, thermal management components (e.g., compressors, heat exchangers), and sensors.
• Experience with developing thermal control systems using PID or other types of feedback control.
• Experience with thermal power modeling, including simulating and predicting energy usage in different operating conditions
• Familiarity with CAN bus communication protocols and embedded systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Experience with electrified vehicle thermal systems (e.g., battery cooling/heating) preferred
• Hands-on experience with HIL testing or virtual calibration techniques preferred

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment in California is expected in the range below:

$180,000-230,000 USD plus stock options, commensurate with experience

Glydways provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Glydways’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.