Vehicle Calibration Engineer

WinterPark Engineering, LLC; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Burke Porter, An Ascential Technologies Company in Auburn Hills, MI, seeks an experienced Powertrain Calibration Engineer to bridge physical engine behaviors with simulation models and calibration requirements.

You will help establish best practices for steady-state nominal, emissions, off-nominal, and transient calibration development while supporting virtual engineering initiatives to reduce development time and testing costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 3–5 years in gasoline vehicle calibration, powertrain controls, or engine system development.
• Hands-on dynamometer calibration experience with boosted gasoline engines.
• Experience developing and validating spark, knock, combustion, airflow, fuel, boost, VVT, emissions, and transient calibrations.

Responsibilities

• Lead calibration methodology development and standardization.
• Develop and refine model-based and physics-based calibration approaches with defined assumptions, limitations, and acceptance criteria.
• Guide validation of virtual engine and powertrain models to reduce physical testing dependency.
• Create validation methodologies and test plans for engine dynos, vehicle testing, SIL, and MIL.
• Mentor calibration engineers and collaborate with controls, software, systems, simulation, validation, and program teams.

Skills

Gasoline Calibration

Powertrain Controls

Model-Based Development

Physics-Based Development

Engine Dynos

Vehicle Testing

MATLAB

Simulink

ETAS INCA

ETAS MDA

dSPACE AutomationDesk

dSPACE ControlDesk

Data Analysis

Root Cause Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

ETAS INCA

ETAS MDA

MATLAB

Simulink

dSPACE AutomationDesk

dSPACE ControlDesk

Data Visualization Tools

Job description

Burke Porter, An Ascential Technologies Company
Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA

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:
• Spark
• Knock Control
• Combustion Systems
• Airflow Management
• Fuel Systems
• Boost Control
• Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
• 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:
• 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
• SIL (Software-in-the-Loop)
• MIL (Model-in-the-Loop)

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.
• 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
• 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:
• 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
• 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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