Vehicle Propulsion System Calibration Engineer

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,400 - 192,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off

Vehicle discount program

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company’s EVDD team is seeking an Advanced Propulsion System Calibration Engineer to advance propulsion technologies across ICE, hybrids, BEV and fuel-cell platforms. The role balances performance, drivability and fuel economy through virtual simulations and physical prototypes, contributing to Ford’s electric future.

You will lead calibration across engine, motors, HV battery and thermal systems, employing DOE and data analytics to define robust control strategies and to validate

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead calibration development across chassis, powertrain, hub dynamometers and on-road vehicle development.
• Use virtual calibration methods and DOE to map calibration spaces and define robust operating strategies.
• Perform DV testing using virtual simulations and physical prototypes.
• Conduct sensitivity studies to balance fuel economy, performance, drivability and emissions.
• Prototype commissioning and system-level debugging of complex propulsion systems.
• Document and present calibration progress and regulatory status to leadership and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Powertrain calibration

Electrified propulsion

Data acquisition (DAQ)

MATLAB/Simulink

DOE methods

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

ATI Vision

ETAS INCA

Vector tools

CAN communication

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.

In this position

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.

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 a data‑driven approach.
• Prototype commissioning: Perform system‑level debugging and troubleshooting of 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 of 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 Degree in 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.

Benefits

• 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.