Vehicle Control Technology Manager

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI); Superior (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Zero-dollar employee premiums on medical, dental, and vision

100% employer-paid disability and life insurance

Generous paid time off

Competitive salaries

Retirement savings benefits

Access to health savings accounts

Job summary

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) is seeking a Manager for the Vehicle Control Technology team in Michigan. This role leads a team of engineers to develop advanced control algorithms, focusing on performance and efficiency for Trucks and SUVs.

The position requires expertise in Control Theory, a Master’s or PhD in Engineering, and offers a competitive salary with attractive benefits including zero-dollar premiums for medical coverage and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of engineering experience in the automotive or aerospace industry.
• 5+ years in advanced control algorithm development and deployment.
• 3+ years in a leadership or management role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of control engineers.
• Oversee Control Logic Concept & Design.
• Drive Technical Innovation in specialized applications.
• Maintain research partnerships with universities.
• Direct Model-Based Development workflows.
• Manage departmental resources for budget and software.
• Liaise with R&D Headquarters in South Korea.
• Review technical reports and present to leadership.
• Support technical inquiries and collaborate with teams.
• Occasional travel for vehicle testing and meetings.

Skills

Control Theory

Advanced Control Algorithms

Machine Learning

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master’s Degree in Engineering (Control Theory or Mechatronics)

PhD in Engineering (Advanced Control Systems)

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

GT-SUITE

CarSim

Job description

Job Title

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) is seeking a Manager for the Vehicle Control Technology team. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of vehicle intelligence for the North American market, with a specific emphasis on the Truck, SUV, and Off‑road segments.

The Vehicle Control Technology team is responsible for the research, development, and prototyping of advanced control algorithms that define the "brain" of the vehicle. As the manager, you will lead a team of high‑performing engineers dedicated to control logic concept and design. Your team will develop novel solutions to improve performance, efficiency, and the overall customer experience, specifically focusing on challenging North American use cases such as heavy‑duty towing and rugged off‑road maneuvers. By leveraging advanced techniques such as machine learning, AI, and model predictive control, you will lead the charge in creating next‑generation vehicle behaviors. This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise in control theory and the strategic leadership necessary to manage complex projects and high‑level research partnerships.

What You Will Do

• Lead and manage a team of 4–5 advanced control engineers, providing technical mentorship, career development, and performance evaluations.
• Oversee Control Logic Concept & Design, ensuring the team develops creative solutions for vehicle motion, energy management, and specialized performance attributes for Trucks and SUVs.
• Drive Technical Innovation in specialized applications, including Advanced Towing Features (e.g., trailer stability, hitch assist) and Off‑road Performance (e.g., terrain response, crawl control).
• Establish and maintain research partnerships with top universities and research labs to stay at the forefront of control technology and academic advancement.
• Direct Model‑Based Development (MBD) workflows, ensuring best practices in MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and Software‑in‑the‑Loop (SIL) testing environments.
• Manage departmental resources including budget allocation and software licensing for simulation and development tools (ETAS, GT‑SUITE, CarSim, etc.).
• Cultivate global collaboration by serving as the primary technical liaison with R&D Headquarters in South Korea to align North American development with global product cycles.
• Perform technical quality assurance: review and approve technical reports, system trade‑offs, and business cases for new technologies before presentation to executive leadership.
• Cross‑functional leadership: support North American headquarters with technical inquiries and collaborate with vehicle testing teams to validate prototype software in real‑world towing and off‑road environments.
• Travel requirements: occasional domestic and international travel (≈10–15%) for vehicle testing events, global R&D meetings, and university partnership visits.

What You Will Bring to the Role

• Educational Requirements:
  • Required: Master’s Degree in a related engineering field with a focus on Control Theory or Mechatronics.
  • Preferred: PhD in Engineering specializing in Advanced Control Systems (MPC, Adaptive, or Optimal Control).
• Related Industry Experience Requirements:
  • 10+ years of engineering experience in the automotive or aerospace industry.
  • 5+ years of experience specifically in advanced control algorithm development and deployment.
  • 3+ years of experience in a leadership or formal management role overseeing technical teams.
• Required Skills and Knowledge:
  • Expertise in Control Theory: deep understanding of classical, optimal, and adaptive controls, as well as state‑space modeling.
  • Application specifics: demonstrated experience in developing algorithms for vehicle dynamics, stability control, or traction management in high‑CG vehicles (SUVs) or towing applications.
  • Advanced techniques: proven experience applying Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Machine Learning models to physical systems.
  • Software proficiency: advanced skills in MATLAB/Simulink for Model‑Based Design, including auto‑code generation and 1‑D physical modeling (Simscape, GT‑SUITE, etc.).
  • Embedded systems: strong understanding of C/C++ and the deployment of algorithms into embedded controllers via rapid prototyping tools.
  • Strategic partnership management: experience identifying and managing external research projects with academic institutions.
  • Communication: excellent ability to present complex technical data and research findings to executive leadership.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record for prototype vehicle evaluation.
  • Experience with intellectual property (IP) generation, such as patents or peer‑reviewed publications.

What Hyundai Can Offer You

• Zero‑dollar employee premiums on medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.
• 100% employer‑paid disability and life insurance.
• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and abundant holidays.
• A global environment that fosters diversity.
• Competitive salaries.
• Retirement savings and planning benefits.
• Access to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts.

Other Details

• Candidates applying for positions with Hyundai KIA must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
  • HATCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Veteran. VEVRAA Federal contractor.