OBD Lead Engineer – (OBD on UDS)

Grammar LLC; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Generous Paid Time Off

Job summary

Grammar LLC in Novi, Michigan, is looking for a Senior OBD Lead Engineer to lead the OBD implementation on software-defined vehicles. You will define requirements and collaborate across various teams to ensure high standards in automotive diagnostics.

The ideal candidate is experienced with UDS-based diagnostics and has a proven ability to navigate complex development environments. The role requires 4-5 days per week in the office and attendance at events.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in automotive diagnostics, embedded systems, or systems engineering.
• Strong understanding of diagnostic communication across CAN and Ethernet.
• Proven ability to drive technical clarity and execution in complex development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the definition of OBD implementation for Scout's new software-defined vehicle architecture.
• Define scalable requirements for OBD-related data through UDS.
• Guide development teams on best practices for diagnostic communication design.

Skills

UDS-based diagnostics

OBD implementation

Diagnostic communication concepts

Automotive diagnostics

Embedded systems

Software integration

Automotive diagnostic tools

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional alignment

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

CANoe

CANalyzer

CANape

ETAS INCA

Jama

DOORS

Polarion

Job description

Role: Senior OBD Lead Engineer

What you’ll do

At Scout Motors, you don't just design vehicles—you shape the future of the road. Our Engineering team is where bold ideas meet rigorous execution, building machines that are as durable and capable as the people who drive them. You'll work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with brilliant minds across disciplines, turning complex challenges into elegant, scalable solutions that meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and user experience. This is a place where your fingerprints are found on metal – where what you design gets built, driven, and remembered. If you're hungry to engineer something that matters, Scout Motors is where that ambition finds its highest gear.

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick‑up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

• Lead the end‑to‑end definition of OBD implementation on UDS for Scout’s new software‑defined vehicle architecture
• Own the diagnostic communication concept for OBD‑relevant functions, including service definitions, DID strategies, DTC access, routine behaviors, session concepts, security interaction, and tester workflows
• Define scalable and robust requirements for how OBD‑related data and services are exposed through UDS across domains, controllers, and diagnostic gateways
• Act as the technical lead for UDS‑based OBD architecture, ensuring alignment between systems engineering, software development, diagnostics, validation, cybersecurity, and aftersales teams
• Establish a coherent strategy for diagnostic communication behavior in prototype, development, production, and service environments
• Review and approve diagnostic concepts, interface specifications, and implementation proposals to ensure consistency, compliance, maintainability, and serviceability
• Drive requirements traceability from architectural intent through software implementation, validation evidence, and release approval
• Support issue resolution by reviewing traces, service logs, communication behavior, and test evidence to identify root causes and define corrective actions
• Guide development teams on best practices for diagnostic communication design, integration, and robustness in an SDV environment
• Partner with platform and architecture teams to ensure the UDS strategy supports future scalability, OTA updates, centralized compute evolution, and long‑term service needs
• Coordinate and contribute into prototype and serial development stages in terms of software availability, test planning, data review, diagnostic behavior alignment, and technical reporting
• Be involved in other related tasks / activities as required

Location & Travel Expectations

• This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in Novi, Michigan.
• This role requires 4‑5 days per week in the office, with regular in‑person meetings and events.
• Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.

What you’ll bring

We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here’s what else you’ll bring:

• Relevant degree such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering, Technology, IT Systems, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or Engineering Technology from an accredited college or university, preferably in electrical engineering, automotive engineering, or computer engineering
• 12+ years of experience in automotive diagnostics, embedded systems, software integration, or systems engineering, with deep expertise in UDS‑based diagnostics and OBD implementation
• Strong experience defining and leading diagnostic communication concepts over UDS, including service behavior, data identifiers, routine control, session handling, security access, fault memory handling, and tester interactions
• Experience creating and governing OBD requirements on top of UDS‑based software architecture, particularly in modern software‑defined vehicle environments
• Strong understanding of diagnostic communication across CAN and Ethernet, diagnostic gateways, centralized compute concepts, and service‑oriented vehicle architectures
• Proven track record leading cross‑functional alignment between software, systems, validation, service, cybersecurity, and architecture teams
• Hands‑on experience with automotive diagnostic tools such as CANoe, CANalyzer, CANape, ETAS INCA, and with requirements tools such as Jama, DOORS, or Polarion
• Familiarity with DTC concepts, freeze frame strategies, routine execution, service tool compatibility, and diagnostic trace analysis
• Ability to interpret software architecture documents, network/interface definitions, Simulink logic, and embedded software specifications
• Strong leadership, ownership, analytical thinking, communication, and decision‑making skills, with proven ability to drive technical clarity and execution in a complex development environment
• Motivated engineer wanting to define and lead the diagnostic communication backbone for a new generation of electric vehicles

What you’ll gain

The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up. This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation. In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides; select highlights:

• Competitive insurance including:
  • Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
• 401(k) program with:
  • An employer match and immediate vesting
• Generous Paid Time Off including:
  • 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
  • 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
  • Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
  • Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave