Vehicle Propulsion System Calibration Engineer

Ford-Motor-Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Family care days & parental leave

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid holidays & PTO

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking an Advanced Propulsion System Calibration Engineer in Dearborn, MI. The role focuses on developing propulsion technologies to optimize performance, drivability and fuel economy across ICE, hybrids and BEV platforms.

You will leverage virtual simulations and prototype platforms for calibration strategies and controls. The position requires a strong background in electrified propulsion, data-driven validation, and experience with prototype vehicles and testing

Qualifications

• 5+ years in powertrain calibration, focus on electrified propulsion
• 2+ years with ATI Vision, ETAS INCA, Vector tools and CAN
• 2+ years with prototype vehicles/test benches
• 2+ years with DAQ systems and engine/chassis dynamometers
• 1+ year in data engineering and statistical validation with large datasets

Responsibilities

• Lead calibration development across chassis/powertrain/dyno and on-road development
• Utilize virtual calibration platform and DOE methods to map calibration spaces
• Perform DV testing against noise factors to ensure robustness
• Balance fuel economy, performance, drivability and emissions through data-driven trade-offs
• Prototype commissioning and debugging of complex systems

Skills

Powertrain calibration

Electrified propulsion

DOE methods

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

ATI Vision

ETAS INCA

Vector tools

CAN protocols

Job description

Advanced Propulsion System Calibration Engineer We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Ford’s Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company’s vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer‑obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data‑driven and is dedicated to delivering industry‑leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You’ll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

In this position...

The Advanced Propulsion System Calibration Engineer is responsible for developing state‑of‑the‑art propulsion technologies to demonstrate key customer attributes like performance, drivability and fuel economy for conventional Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), range of hybrids and full electric propulsion systems (HEV, PHEV, EREV and BEV) and Fuel cell powered applications. This role leverages virtual simulations and physical prototype platforms for the development of controls strategies and its calibrations to balance core vehicle attributes. The ideal candidate combines high‑level understanding of various hybrid architectures, knowledge of analytical development tools along with hands‑on experience working with complex prototype propulsion systems

What you’ll do…

• Vehicle calibration development & validation: Lead calibration development activities across chassis/powertrain/hub dynamometers, and on‑road vehicle development. Synchronize the calibration of various sub‑systems—including the engine, electric generator/motors, HV battery and thermal systems to ensure seamless integration and achievement of attribute targets.
• Virtual calibration development and optimization: Utilize virtual vehicle analytical platform to perform upfront calibration development and demonstrate system capability under various use cases. Utilize Design of Experiments (DOE) methods to efficiently map complex multi‑variable calibration spaces and define robust operating strategies.
• Design validation and robustness testing: Leverage virtual simulations and physical prototype platforms to perform DV testing against critical noise factors, ensuring system performance remains robust under diverse operating conditions.
• Attribute trade‑off management: Conduct sensitivity studies to optimize the balance between fuel economy, performance, drivability and emissions. Establish preferred values for control strategy variables using data‑driven approach.
• Prototype Commissioning: Perform system‑level debugging and troubleshooting complex mechanical, electrical, and software issues to commission prototype vehicles

Technical Reporting: Document and present calibration progress, trade‑off results, and regulatory compliance status to program leadership and cross‑functional teams.

You’ll have…

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical field. or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

• 5+ years of experience in powertrain calibration, with a specific focus on electrified propulsion systems (HEV/PHEV/EREV/BEV).
• 2+ years industry‑standard calibration tools e.g., ATI Vision, ETAS INCA, Vector tools and CAN communication protocols.
• 2+ years experience working with prototype vehicles/test bench and troubleshooting
• 2+ years working with data acquisition (DAQ) systems and various testing environments, including engine/chassis dynamometers.
• 1+ year of experience in data engineering and statistical validation, with a proven track record of analyzing large‑scale datasets to identify statistically significant trends
  

Even better, you may have…

• Master’s Degreein engineering field
• Experience in Fuel cell propulsion systems
• Previous experience in Formula SAE or related experience
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and advanced analytical tools
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional technical reviews and mentor junior calibration engineers.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp‑up programs, subsidized back‑up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a salary grades 6-8 and ranges from $85,400-$192,900.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid

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