Vehicle Calibration Engineer

Socket.dev; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking an experienced calibration engineer to lead gasoline engine base calibration methodologies and model-based development efforts. You will guide torque models, spark and knock calibrations, and EGR/boost systems to advance virtual engineering and reduce physical testing time.

You will mentor engineers, align validation strategies with engine dyno, vehicle testing, and MIL/SIL/HIL environments, and help standardize release readiness criteria and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 3–5 years of experience in Gasoline Vehicle Calibration, Powertrain Controls, or Engine System Development.
• Hands-on dynamometer calibration experience with boosted gasoline engines.
• Knowledge of engine subsystems: combustion, valvetrain, fuel, boost, EGR, emissions, aftertreatment, thermal protection, transient behavior.
• Experience developing and validating torque models, spark calibrations, knock, combustion, airflow, fuel, boost, VVT, emissions, off-nominal, and transient calibrations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and standardize gasoline engine calibration methodologies (Torque Model, Spark, Knock, Combustion, Airflow, Fuel, Boost, VVT, Emissions, Off-Nominal, Transient).
• Guide model-based and physics-based calibration approaches with defined inputs, assumptions, limitations, and acceptance criteria.
• Validate virtual engine and powertrain models to reduce physical testing dependency.
• Define calibration release-readiness criteria, checklists, and documentation standards.
• Create validation plans for Engine Dyno, Vehicle Testing, HIL/SIL/MIL, and Virtual Development Environments.

Skills

Gasoline Calibration

Powertrain Controls

Engine Development

Calibration Methodology

Model-Based Development

Dynamometer Calibration

Torque Models

Spark Calibrations

Knock Calibrations

Airflow Models

Boost Controls

VVT Strategies

ETAS INCA

ETAS MDA

MATLAB

Simulink

dSPACE AutomationDesk

dSPACE ControlDesk

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

ETAS INCA

ETAS MDA

MATLAB

Simulink

dSPACE AutomationDesk

dSPACE ControlDesk

Job description

The successful candidate will collaborate with other team members to bridge physical engine behaviors using simulation models and production calibration requirements. This position plays a critical role in establishing best practices for steady-state nominal, emissions, off-nominal, and transient calibration development while supporting virtual engineering initiatives that reduce development time and testing costs.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated engineer who enjoys technical problem-solving, process improvement, mentoring engineers, and driving innovation in powertrain calibration methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

Calibration Methodology Leadership

• Development and standardization of gasoline engine base calibration methodologies, including:
  • Torque Model
  • Spark
  • Knock Control
  • Combustion Systems
  • Airflow Management
  • Fuel Systems
  • Boost Control
  • Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
  • Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
  • Idle Control
  • Startability
  • Steady-State Emissions
  • Off-Nominal Operation
  • Transient Calibration

Model-Based Development

• Develop and refine model-based and physics-based calibration approaches with clearly defined:
  • Inputs
  • Assumptions
  • Limitations
  • Acceptance criteria
• Guide the development and validation of virtual engine and powertrain models to reduce dependency on physical testing.
• Establish model correlation strategies that improve agreement between simulation environments and physical testing results.

Validation & Release Readiness

• Define calibration release-readiness criteria, engineering checklists, and documentation standards.
• Establish requirements for calibration freeze milestones, software releases, and program launch readiness.
• Create validation methodologies and test plans for:
  • Engine Dyno
  • Vehicle Testing
  • HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop)
  • SIL (Software-in-the-Loop)
  • MIL (Model-in-the-Loop)
  • Virtual Development Environments

Data Analysis & Problem Solving

• Develop structured root-cause analysis processes and issue-resolution workflows.
• Analyze calibration and vehicle data to identify performance opportunities and corrective actions.
• Capture lessons learned and establish reusable engineering countermeasures across applications.

Tools & Process Standardization

• Drive consistent use of engineering toolchains including:
  • MATLAB
  • Simulink
  • ETAS INCA
  • ETAS MDA
  • dSPACE AutomationDesk
  • dSPACE ControlDesk
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on calibration efficiency and quality.

Technical Leadership

• Mentor calibration engineers and support technical development across the organization.
• Collaborate with controls, software, systems, simulation, validation, and program teams.
• Promote best practices in calibration development, documentation, validation, and release processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Gasoline Vehicle Calibration
  • Powertrain Controls
  • Engine System Development
  • Calibration Methodology Development
  • Model-Based or Physics-Based Development
• Prior hands-on dynamometer calibration experience with:
  • Boosted Gasoline Engines
• Understanding of internal combustion engine systems, including:
  • Combustion
  • Valvetrain Systems
  • Fuel Systems
  • Boost Systems
  • EGR Systems
  • Emissions Controls
  • Aftertreatment Systems
  • Thermal Protection Strategies
  • Transient Engine Behavior
• Experience developing and validating:
  • Torque Models
  • Spark Calibrations
  • Knock Control Calibrations
  • Combustion Calibrations
  • Airflow Models
  • Fuel Calibrations
  • Boost Controls
  • VVT Strategies
  • Emissions Calibrations
  • Off-Nominal Calibrations
  • Transient Calibrations
• Experience collecting and interpreting data from:
  • Engine Dynos
  • Vehicle Testing
  • HIL/SIL/MIL Environments
  • Virtual Development Platforms
• Proficiency with:
  • ETAS INCA
  • ETAS MDA
  • MATLAB
  • Simulink
  • dSPACE AutomationDesk
  • dSPACE ControlDesk
  • Data Analytics and Visualization Tools
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Why Join Us?

• Work on cutting-edge gasoline engine and advanced combustion technologies.
• Influence calibration methodologies used across multiple vehicle programs.
• Collaborate with highly experienced powertrain, controls, simulation, and validation engineers.
• Drive innovation in model-based calibration and virtual engineering development.
• Opportunity to shape engineering standards, best practices, and future calibration strategies.