Vehicle Test Engineer

Global Connect Technologies; Michigan; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellantis is seeking an enthusiastic Entry-Level Vehicle Test Engineer to support vehicle development, testing, validation, and issue resolution at our Auburn Hills, Michigan technical center. This role offers hands-on exposure to vehicle testing, instrumentation, data collection, troubleshooting, and validation across mechanical, electrical, controls, and powertrain systems.

You will work with cross-functional teams, prepare test setups, execute tests, document results, and help ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline is required.
• 0–2 years of engineering experience; internship, co-op, or hands-on automotive experience acceptable.
• Fundamental understanding of automotive vehicle systems and engineering principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to follow structured test procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to work in hands-on vehicle testing environments and travel if needed.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of vehicle/test plans based on requirements and program objectives.
• Execute vehicle tests in lab, garage, proving ground, and road-test environments.
• Prepare vehicles for testing, including instrumentation installation and data acquisition setup.
• Collect, review, and analyze test data to identify issues and trends.
• Document test results and participate in root-cause analysis with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain accurate test records and support verification of corrective actions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

MS Office

Communication

Team collaboration

Test execution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline

Tools

CANalyzer

CANoe

CANape

INCA

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Vehicle Test Engineer - Entry Level

Location: Auburn Hills, MI

Job Type: Full-Time

Career Level: Entry Level / 0–2 Years Experience

Department: Vehicle Engineering / Test & Validation

Position Overview

Stellantis is seeking a motivated and hands-on Entry-Level Vehicle Test Engineer to support vehicle development, testing, validation, and issue resolution activities at our Auburn Hills, Michigan technical center.

This role is ideal for an early-career engineer who is interested in working directly with vehicles and gaining broad exposure to automotive systems, vehicle testing, instrumentation, data collection, troubleshooting, and validation.

The engineer will support the planning and execution of vehicle-level and system-level tests, analyze test results, identify and document issues, and work with cross-functional engineering teams to help ensure vehicle performance, functionality, reliability, and quality objectives are achieved.

This position is not focused on infotainment, telematics, or connected-vehicle development. The primary focus is hands-on vehicle testing and engineering validation across mechanical, electrical, controls, chassis, propulsion, body, and other vehicle systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of vehicle and system-level test plans based on engineering requirements and vehicle program objectives.


• Execute vehicle tests in laboratory, garage, proving-ground, and road-test environments.


• Support Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R) activities, including test preparation, execution, data collection, and reporting.


• Prepare vehicles for testing, including installation of test instrumentation, sensors, data-acquisition equipment, and temporary wiring as required.


• Collect, review, and analyze vehicle test data to identify abnormal behavior, trends, and potential engineering issues.


• Assist experienced engineers with troubleshooting vehicle, subsystem, and component-level issues.


• Perform initial issue investigation and root-cause analysis using test results, vehicle observations, diagnostic information, and engineering data.


• Document test results, observations, failures, and recommendations in engineering reports and issue-tracking systems.


• Reproduce reported vehicle issues and support engineering teams in determining potential root causes.


• Support verification of corrective actions and confirm that identified issues have been successfully resolved.


• Assist with vehicle builds, test setup, instrumentation, software/calibration updates, and test readiness activities.


• Work closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Powertrain, Chassis, Body, Quality, Manufacturing, and other engineering teams.


• Participate in vehicle test events and support testing at proving grounds and other test locations as required.


• Maintain accurate test records, vehicle status, test schedules, and issue-tracking information.


• Follow established engineering, safety, vehicle operation, and test procedures.


• Identify opportunities to improve testing methods, data collection, documentation, and overall test efficiency.


• Present test results and technical findings to engineering teams and program stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.


• 0–2 years of engineering experience; relevant internship, co-op, university project, or hands-on automotive experience is acceptable.


• Fundamental understanding of automotive vehicle systems and engineering principles.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to understand engineering requirements and follow structured test procedures.


• Basic understanding of data collection, measurement, and engineering test methods.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a cross-functional engineering team.


• Willingness to work in a hands-on vehicle testing environment, including garages, test facilities, and outdoor test locations.


• Valid U.S. driver's license and ability to operate test vehicles safely.


• Willingness to travel to proving grounds, test facilities, plants, or other locations as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship, co-op, or academic project experience involving automotive testing, vehicle development, validation, controls, mechanical systems, electrical systems, or instrumentation.


• Hands-on experience working with vehicles, automotive components, test equipment, sensors, or data-acquisition systems.


• Familiarity with CAN/CAN FD, vehicle diagnostics, or automotive communication networks.


• Exposure to tools such as CANalyzer, CANoe, CANape, INCA, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar engineering/data-analysis tools.


• Basic understanding of DVP&R, verification, validation, test-case development, or requirements-based testing.


• Experience with data analysis using Excel, MATLAB, Python, or similar tools.


• Basic understanding of automotive electrical and mechanical systems.


• Familiarity with engineering troubleshooting and root-cause-analysis techniques.


• Experience with laboratory or vehicle instrumentation is a plus.


• Previous experience with EV, hybrid, ICE, chassis, braking, steering, thermal, body, or other automotive systems is a plus.

What You Will Do in This Role

The successful candidate will spend significant time supporting real vehicle testing, rather than working exclusively at a desk.

Typical activities may include:

• Preparing a vehicle for a test.


• Installing or checking instrumentation.


• Following a defined test procedure.


• Driving or supporting a test vehicle during testing.


• Recording vehicle behavior and test conditions.


• Collecting and analyzing test data.


• Investigating unexpected vehicle behavior.


• Working with senior engineers to identify root causes.


• Documenting results and engineering recommendations.


• Retesting after a design, calibration, or software change.


• Supporting vehicle program milestones and validation activities.