Technical Specialist - Powertrain Controls and Virtual Development

LER TechForce; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

401K with match

Professional development opportunities

Employee discounts

Job summary

LER TechForce in Auburn Hills, MI, seeks a Technical Specialist for Powertrain Controls & Virtual Development. The role requires strong communication for heavy client interface and US citizenship/GC due to ITAR work.

You will lead development of advanced control strategies and coordinate model-based software integration in embedded environments. Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in powertrain controls, a relevant engineering degree, and hands-on experience with MATLAB/Simulink, HiL, dynos, and

Qualifications

• Over 10 years in powertrain controls or propulsion system development.
• Experience leading technical projects and interfacing with customers.
• Strong fundamentals in engines, hybrids, batteries, and vehicle integration.
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and model-based workflows.
• Experience with calibration, real-time control, and software environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of control strategies for engine, hybrid-electric, and powertrain systems.
• Define system requirements for torque coordination, energy management, and diagnostics.
• Develop and review model-based control algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Provide leadership for software architecture, ECU selection, and HiL/dyno planning.
• Conduct MiL/SiL/HiL testing across engines, chassis, and vehicle platforms.
• Calibrate and validate control features for conventional and alternative powertrains.
• Interface with customers to present concepts, proposals, and results.
• Mentor engineers and review technical deliverables within the BM department.
• Support project planning, risk management, and cross-functional coordination.
• Work with tools like ETAS INCA, CANape, CANalyzer, CANoe, dSPACE and related environments.

Skills

Powertrain controls

Embedded software development

Model-based controls development

Customer interfacing

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering or related

Master's degree or PhD preferred

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Stateflow

C

C++

ETAS INCA

ATI Vision

Vector CANape

CANalyzer

CANoe

dSPACE

CalDesk

Motohawk

Pi-Innovo

HiL systems

dyno/vehicle data acquisition

IBM DOORS

JAMA

JIRA

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you looking to work for a company that provides an innovative work environment, and your voice is heard? We are currently recruiting for a Technical Specialist - Powertrain Controls & Virtual Development to work in Auburn Hills. This role will require heavy client interface which will require that the engineer has strong communication skills.

MUST be a US Citizen or GC due to the nature of the work being done (ITAR).

Who we are:

LER TechForce is an industry leader in embedded controls, software, functional safety, and engineering talent. For over 20 years LER has been working with customers across North America. Follow us at: LER TechForce on LinkedIn.

What you will be doing:

• Lead development of advanced control strategies for engine, hybrid-electric, fuel cell, and vehicle-level propulsion systems.
• Define system-level and functional requirements for powertrain controls, including torque coordination, energy management, thermal management, diagnostics, safety monitoring, mode management, and supervisory control functions.
• Develop and review model-based controls algorithms using MATLAB/Simulink and support implementation into embedded software environments.
• Provide technical leadership for control software architecture, ECU selection, rapid prototyping platforms, interface definition, signal mapping, and integration planning.
• Conduct and guide MiL, SiL, HiL, engine dyno, chassis dyno, and vehicle-level testing to verify and validate control functions.
• Develop, calibrate, and validate control features for conventional, hybrid, and alternative powertrain applications in alignment with customer, regulatory, emissions, fuel economy, drivability, and performance requirements.
• Guide development and integration of plant models for engines, electric machines, batteries, fuel cell systems, power electronics, transmissions, aftertreatment systems, and vehicle-level powertrain components.
• Apply strong knowledge of real-time control design methods, control theory, optimization strategies, sensor and actuator behavior, and automotive electronic control system architecture.
• Support implementation of functional safety, diagnostics, OBD, and software quality requirements, including familiarity with ISO 26262, ASPICE/CMMI practices, AUTOSAR concepts, MAAB guidelines, and MISRA standards.
• Lead technical issue resolution, root-cause analysis, data review, control strategy refinement, and calibration-aware algorithm improvements across simulation, test bench, dyno, and vehicle environments.
• Interface directly with customers to understand application needs, present technical concepts and results, develop proposals, support project planning, and align controls development activities with program objectives.
• Mentor engineers, review technical deliverables, guide best practices, and support development of internal controls capability within the BM department.
• Support project management activities including work planning, task prioritization, technical risk management, schedule tracking, and coordination of cross-functional teams.
• Use industry-standard controls, calibration, data acquisition, and communication tools including MATLAB/Simulink, ETAS INCA, ATI Vision, Vector CANape, CANalyzer, CANoe, dSPACE, CalDesk, and related rapid prototyping or HiL environments.

What you'll need to be successful:

• Must be a US citizen or GC holder due to supporting ITAR based clients (will also support non ITAR based clients).
• 10+ years of experience in powertrain controls, embedded controls software development, model-based controls development, calibration, or related propulsion system development.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical project teams, mentoring engineers, reviewing controls deliverables, and interfacing directly with customers.
• Strong fundamentals in powertrain systems, including engines, hybrid-electric systems, electric machines, batteries, fuel cell systems, transmissions, aftertreatment, thermal systems, sensors, actuators, and vehicle integration.
• Strong knowledge of real-time control design, control theory, embedded software development, system integration, and verification and validation methods.
• Working experience with some or all of the following tools and environments: MATLAB/Simulink, Stateflow, C, C++, and model-based development workflows.
• Working experience with some or all of the following tools and environments: ETAS INCA, ATI Vision, Vector CANape, CANalyzer, CANoe, and related calibration or communication tools.
• Working experience with some or all of the following tools and environments: dSPACE, CalDesk, Motohawk, Pi-Innovo, rapid prototyping controllers, HiL systems, and dyno or vehicle data acquisition environments.
• Working experience with some or all of the following tools and environments: requirements and project tracking tools such as IBM DOORS, JAMA, JIRA, and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred:

• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automotive Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with hybrid supervisory controls, electrified powertrain controls, fuel cell system controls, engine controls, diagnostics, OBD, emissions controls, or thermal management controls preferred.
• Familiarity with AUTOSAR, ISO 26262, cybersecurity considerations, software quality processes, MAAB guidelines, MISRA standards, and production software release processes preferred.

What you'll get:

• Full benefits: medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA
• 401K with a match and immediate vesting
• Short-term and Long-term disability, life insurance and other optional benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Ongoing professional development opportunities including Technical Training and Leadership Development
• The opportunity to work on industry leading projects