Research Engineer – Advanced Electrified Propulsion Systems

Jobtailor; Dearborn (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in the United States seeks a systems engineer to lead the design and integration of electrified propulsion subsystems for prototype vehicles.

You will work across e-motor, power electronics, energy storage, driveline, and thermal teams, applying first-principles design and rigorous verification. Travel to remote Vehicle Proving Grounds may be required; strong communication and hands-on testing experience are essential.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 2 years of prior experience with electrified systems including sizing, packaging, testing, and integration.
• Ability and interest to design clean-sheet advanced propulsion systems using a first-principles approach
• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams and driving development issues to resolution
• Hands-on experience conducting bench and vehicle-level tests
• Willingness to travel to remote Vehicle Proving Ground sites; US work authorization; visa sponsorship not available

Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering expertise for clean-sheet electrified propulsion designs.
• Assess subsystem sizing, HV architectures, thermal limits, and packaging on vehicle attributes.
• Define and size subsystem architectures based on power, energy, mass, thermal, cost.
• Integrate and commission propulsion subsystems into prototypes, breadboards, and dyno test beds.
• Lead cross-functional projects across e-motor, power electronics, energy storage, driveline, HV distribution, thermal management, controls, calibration, and simulation.
• Develop requirements, robustness assessments, and design verification plans.
• Analyze tradeoffs in thermal performance, packaging, NVH, and hardware/software.
• Troubleshoot prototype vehicles and benches.
• Collect lab, dyno, and on-road test data to optimize propulsion designs.
• Apply systems engineering tools including Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DFMEAs.
• Prepare and present technical project reviews to senior management.

Skills

Electrified Systems Experience

Subsystem Architecture

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Testing & Validation

First-Principles Design

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

B.S. in Physics

Tools

Microsoft Office

Boundary Diagrams

P-Diagrams

DFMEAs

Job description

• Provide systems engineering expertise for clean-sheet advanced electrified propulsion designs
• Understand how subsystem sizing, high-voltage architectures, thermal limits, and packaging affect vehicle-level attributes such as performance, range, efficiency, and charging behavior
• Size, select, and define subsystem architectures based on power, energy, mass, thermal capacity, cost, and other competing priorities
• Integrate, wire, interface controls, and commission propulsion subsystems into prototype vehicles, breadboards, and dyno test beds
• Lead cross-functional projects spanning e-motor, power electronics, energy storage, driveline, high-voltage distribution, thermal management, controls, calibration, and simulation
• Develop requirements, attribute assessments, robustness assessments, and design verification plans
• Analyze tradeoffs involving thermal performance, packaging, NVH, and hardware/software solutions
• Troubleshoot and diagnose prototype vehicles and benches
• Collect and analyze lab, dyno, and on-road test data to optimize and validate propulsion system designs
• Apply systems engineering tools including Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, and DFMEAs
• Prepare and present technical project reviews to senior management and technical leadership

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 2 years of prior experience with electrified systems, including sizing, packaging, testing, and integration of powertrain subsystems
• College-level work such as Formula SAE may count toward electrified systems experience
• Ability and interest to design clean-sheet advanced propulsion systems using a first-principles approach
• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams and driving development issues to resolution
• Hands-on experience conducting bench and vehicle-level tests
• Passion for and understanding of electrified powertrain systems, including batteries, motors, and thermal systems
• Motivated to learn and contribute quickly
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote Vehicle Proving Ground sites
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Visa sponsorship is not available

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in systems engineering for electrified propulsion designs, with a strong focus on subsystem sizing, integration, and performance optimization. Proficient in analyzing tradeoffs and developing verification plans while effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Electrified Systems Experience
• Subsystem Sizing and Integration
• Cross-Functional Project Leadership
• Testing and Validation of Powertrain Systems
• Systems Engineering Tools Proficiency

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Systems Engineering
• Subsystem Architecture Definition
• Thermal Management
• Power Electronics
• Energy Storage
• High-Voltage Distribution
• Design Verification
• Data Analysis
• Troubleshooting
• First-Principles Design

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication Skills
• Team Collaboration
• Problem-Solving
• Motivation to Learn

Industry Keywords

• Electrified Propulsion
• Powertrain Systems
• Vehicle Performance
• Thermal Limits
• NVH

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Boundary Diagrams
• P-Diagrams
• DFMEAs