Senior Virtual Propulsion Engineer – Hydraulic Controls

Jobtailor; Missouri; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced engineer to lead the development and validation of plant models for transmission hydraulics and lubrication systems. You will connect models to system-level simulations and collaborate across teams to improve shift quality and durability.

The role emphasizes independent problem solving, cross-functional communication, and mentorship, with a focus on reducing development time for new programs and optimizing performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of advanced education and experience.
• Experience in two or more of: transmission hydraulics, fluid power, electro-hydraulic controls, dynamic-system simulation, or 1D computer-aided engineering.
• Experience building, using, or reviewing physics-based, control-oriented, or plant models.
• Experience comparing models with physical test data and using results to improve a design or engineering decision.
• Experience with hydraulic components or systems such as pumps, valve bodies, valves, solenoids, actuators, clutches, accumulators, dampers, or lubrication circuits.
• Ability to work independently, solve complex problems, and deliver results on schedule.
• Strong written, verbal, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Must not require GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future.
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a related engineering field (preferred).
• Experience with transmission controls, calibration, clutch fill, shift quality, pressure control, modeling tools, CFD, multiphysics analysis, model automation, lubrication, thermal management, virtual validation, Python, MATLAB, technical leadership, supplier collaboration, or mentoring (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Build and use plant models of transmission hydraulic and lubrication systems.
• Connect plant models with transmission controls and system-level simulations.
• Analyze oil flow, pressure, aeration, temperature, valve-body behavior, solenoid response, clutch fill, shift performance, and shift quality.
• Connect component models to system-level transmission models.
• Compare simulation results with component, transmission dynamometer, and vehicle test data.
• Use analysis to support transmission design, controls, calibration, durability, and test decisions.
• Help define requirements for transmission flow, pressure, lubrication, thermal behavior, and performance.
• Investigate issues involving hydraulic behavior, shift performance, vibration, durability, friction, wear, and life.
• Lead technical reviews, communicate recommendations, and mentor other engineers.
• Develop modeling capabilities and automation methods to reduce warranty, improve first-time capable designs, and reduce development time for new programs.

Skills

Transmission Hydraulics

Dynamic-System Simulation

Model Automation

Technical Leadership

Fluid Power

1D Computer-Aided Engineering

Physics-Based Models

Control-Oriented Models

Hydraulic Components

CFD

Multiphysics Analysis

Transmission Controls

Calibration

Shift Quality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a related field

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a related engineering field (preferred)

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

• Build and use plant models of transmission hydraulic and lubrication systems
• Connect plant models with transmission controls and system-level simulations
• Analyze oil flow, pressure, aeration, temperature, valve-body behavior, solenoid response, clutch fill, shift performance, and shift quality
• Connect component models to system-level transmission models
• Compare simulation results with component, transmission dynamometer, and vehicle test data
• Use analysis to support transmission design, controls, calibration, durability, and test decisions
• Help define requirements for transmission flow, pressure, lubrication, thermal behavior, and performance
• Investigate issues involving hydraulic behavior, shift performance, vibration, durability, friction, wear, and life
• Lead technical reviews, communicate recommendations, and mentor other engineers
• Develop modeling capabilities and automation methods to reduce warranty, improve first-time capable designs, and reduce development time for new programs

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a related field
• At least 8 years of relevant engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of advanced education and experience
• Experience in two or more of: transmission hydraulics, fluid power, electro-hydraulic controls, dynamic-system simulation, or 1D computer-aided engineering
• Experience building, using, or reviewing physics-based, control-oriented, or plant models
• Experience comparing models with physical test data and using results to improve a design or engineering decision
• Experience with hydraulic components or systems such as pumps, valve bodies, valves, solenoids, actuators, clutches, accumulators, dampers, or lubrication circuits
• Ability to work independently, solve complex problems, and deliver results on schedule
• Strong written, verbal, and cross-functional communication skills
• Must not require GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a related engineering field (preferred)
• Experience with transmission controls, calibration, clutch fill, shift quality, pressure control, modeling tools, CFD, multiphysics analysis, model automation, lubrication, thermal management, virtual validation, Python, MATLAB, technical leadership, supplier collaboration, or mentoring (preferred)

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in building and analyzing plant models for transmission hydraulic and lubrication systems, with a strong focus on performance optimization and technical leadership. Proficient in using simulation results to inform design decisions and improve system-level performance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Transmission Hydraulics
• Dynamic-System Simulation
• Model Automation
• Technical Leadership
• Fluid Power

Hard Skills

• Modeling Tools
• 1D Computer-Aided Engineering
• Physics-Based Models
• Control-Oriented Models
• Hydraulic Components
• CFD
• Multiphysics Analysis
• Transmission Controls
• Calibration
• Shift Quality

Soft Skills

• Problem Solving
• Cross-Functional Communication
• Mentoring

Industry Keywords

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Durability
• Thermal Management

Tools & Technologies

• Python
• MATLAB