Chief Engineer - Software (Battery Electric Vehicle Software & Controls) - Hybrid

Oshkosh Defense; Oshkosh (WI); On-site; USD 118,600 - 204,000; Full time

Job summary

Oshkosh Defense is seeking a Chief Engineer – xEV Powertrain Controls & Software to lead the design, development, integration, and lifecycle support of battery and hybrid electric propulsion control systems. You will drive embedded software, controls, calibration, and vehicle integration across electric drive units, battery systems, charging, and thermal management.

You will define technical strategy, ensure safety and cybersecurity compliance, and mentor junior engineers while coordinating with

Qualifications

• Accredited Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with ten or more years of related experience.
• Experience leading engineering teams and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Knowledge of automotive E/E architecture, CAN/UDS, and software calibration.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical roadmap for xEV propulsion controls and E/E architecture.
• Lead cross‑functional development of E/E systems, battery management integration, and thermal management strategies.
• Drive software‑defined vehicle initiatives including diagnostics, updates, and scalable architectures.
• Define system requirements, control strategies, software architecture, and interface specs.
• Lead the xEV E/E software and controls team with Systems Engineering, Calibration, Validation, and platform teams.
• Deliver software and ECUs with design reviews, configuration management, and supplier collaboration.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Systems engineering

Functional Safety

Cybersecurity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Canalyzer

ETAS INCA

Vector Canape

Jira

Jama

Job description

The company is a leading tactical vehicle manufacturer dedicated to protecting others worldwide and strives to meet or exceed ever-changing customer needs with next generation defense technologies and advanced systems.

The Chief Engineer – xEV Powertrain Controls & Software provides technical and organizational leadership for the design, development, integration, validation, and lifecycle support of battery and hybrid electric vehicle (xEV) propulsion control systems. This role is accountable for the technical strategy and execution of embedded software, controls, systems engineering, calibration, and vehicle integration across electric drive units, battery systems, charging, thermal management, and vehicle control architectures. The Chief Engineer establishes the technical vision for software‑defined vehicle technologies while ensuring compliance with automotive functional safety, cybersecurity, and quality standards.

YOUR IMPACT

• Own the technical roadmap for xEV propulsion controls, embedded software, calibration development and E/E systems architecture.
• Lead cross‑functional development of E/E architecture, traction inverter controls, electric motor control, battery management integration, drivability, charging, and thermal management strategies.
• Drive software‑defined vehicle initiatives including planned change update readiness, diagnostics, and scalable software architectures.
• Define system requirements, control strategies, software architecture, and interface specifications.
• Lead the overall xEV E/E software and controls team efforts collaborating with Systems Engineering, Calibration, Integration, Validation, and platform teams.
• Deliver planned software and ECUs with design reviews, configuration management, building collaborative supplier relationships, quality, and cost improvement plans.
• Lead technical decision making across vehicle systems including:
  • Vehicle Control Unit (VCU)
  • Battery Management System (BMS)
  • Electric Drive Unit (EDU)
  • DCDC Converter (DCDC)
  • Onboard Charger (OBC)
  • Vehicle Drivability
  • Charging systems including EVSE compatibility
  • Thermal management
• Ensure successful integration of xEV propulsion controls with chassis, braking, ADAS, body electronics, and telematics.
• Represent xEV Powertrain Controls and Software in business and product strategy to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Cross‑domain collaboration with functional leaders to achieve strategic initiatives.
• Ability to present and defend technical engineering decisions to Engineering peers, leadership, and external customers.
• Provide coaching and development for junior engineers in xEV domain.
• Support the development and tracking of department budget(s), forecast operating costs, and direct preparation of project budget requests.
• Identify and provide potential innovative solutions to complex issues.
• Help lead the transformation of the organization into more vertically integrated approaches to development, integration, and validation.
• Interface with customers/suppliers to resolve complex technical issues to provide the business with innovative, industry‑leading solutions.
• Research, study, and propose use of new technologies to be used in the development of new and improved products.
• Maintain effective communication with suppliers, internal and external customers, and outside resources concerning technical issues.
• Ensure that technical issues are resolved within the framework of company policies and procedures.
• Create and maintain project documentation for analysis, research, and historical records.
• Perform engineering analysis to support the selection of parts, components, and materials that meet requirements.
• Perform job duties in an ethical, professional manner which is consistent with the Oshkosh Way.
• Conduct duties consistent with the Company’s mission statement, quality objectives, and defined policies and procedures.
• Provide technical assistance for prototype, pilot, and production support.
• Prepare technical proposals, quotations, reports, and presentations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Accredited Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with ten (10) or more years of related experience.

Standout Qualifications

• Accredited Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering.
• 5-10+ years of experience in the design, development, validation and launch of light‑duty automotive or heavy truck on‑road xEV vehicles.
• 7-10+ years of cross‑functional experience in the automotive product lifecycle including vehicle level validation, launch and field support.
• Automotive E/E architecture experience including ECU hardware, sensors, actuators, software, calibration, CAN, UDS, and configuration management.
• Familiarity with E/E tools such as Canalyzer, ETAS INCA, Vector Canape, Atlassian Jira, and Jama.
• Prior experience leading engineering teams.
• Functional Safety, Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering experience.

Pay Range

$118,600.00 – $204,000.00

Oshkosh is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at [e-mail].

Oshkosh Corporation is a merit‑based Equal Opportunity Employer. Job opportunities are open for application to all qualified individuals and selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. To the extent that information is provided or collected regarding categories as provided by law it will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.

Oshkosh Corporation will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Oshkosh Corporation's legal duty to furnish information.

Certain positions with Oshkosh Corporation require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.