Automotive Powertrain Control Engineer

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, South Africa, seeks an Automotive Powertrain Control Engineer to design, calibrate, and validate engine and transmission control strategies for diverse powertrains.

You will work with MATLAB/Simulink, INCA/ETAS, and HIL testing, collaborating with software and test teams to deliver robust calibration solutions and drive fuel efficiency, emissions reductions, and drivability improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in mechanical/electrical engineering with a focus on control systems.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in automotive powertrain control development and calibration.
• Strong knowledge of internal combustion engine principles, emissions, and hybrid/electric architectures.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and C programming.
• Experience with powertrain calibration tools such as INCA and ETAS.
• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience with automated testing and scripting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement powertrain control strategies for various powertrains.
• Calibrate ECUs to meet performance, emissions, fuel economy, and drivability targets.
• Use Model-Based Design (MATLAB/Simulink) for development and simulation.
• Perform system-level testing with HIL simulators and dynamometers.
• Analyze test data and identify root causes of issues.
• Collaborate with software teams to implement control strategies.
• Define requirements for powertrain control systems and components.
• Troubleshoot control issues from tests or field data.
• Stay updated with automotive powertrain and electrification trends.
• Document control strategies, calibration results, and test reports.

Skills

Powertrain control

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Communication

Calibration expertise

Education

Engineering degree with control focus

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

INCA

ETAS

C programming

HIL testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented and dedicated Automotive Powertrain Control Engineer to join their advanced engineering team in Vereeniging, Gauteng . This role is crucial for the development and calibration of sophisticated engine and transmission control systems for a range of vehicles. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and validating control algorithms that optimize performance, fuel efficiency, emissions, and drivability. This position requires a deep understanding of internal combustion engines, hybrid systems, electric powertrains, and their associated control strategies. You will work with state-of-the-art hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems, dynamometers, and vehicle testing platforms. The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical skills, a passion for automotive performance, and experience in powertrain control development and calibration. You will collaborate closely with system engineers, software developers, and test engineers to deliver robust and cutting-edge powertrain solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement powertrain control strategies and algorithms for gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and electric powertrains.
• Calibrate engine and transmission control modules (ECUs) to meet performance, emissions, fuel economy, and drivability targets.
• Utilize Model-Based Design methodologies (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) for algorithm development and simulation.
• Perform system-level testing and validation using hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulators, dynamometers, and vehicle testing.
• Analyze test data, identify root causes of issues, and implement effective solutions.
• Collaborate with software development teams to ensure proper implementation of control strategies.
• Define requirements for powertrain control systems and components.
• Troubleshoot powertrain control issues reported from testing or field data.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in automotive powertrain control and electrification.
• Document control strategies, calibration results, and test reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on control systems or automotive engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in automotive powertrain control development and calibration.
• Strong knowledge of internal combustion engine principles, emissions regulations, and hybrid/electric vehicle architectures.
• Proficiency in Model-Based Design tools (MATLAB/Simulink) and C programming.
• Experience with powertrain control calibration tools and techniques (e.g., INCA, ETAS).
• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation and testing.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Strong understanding of control theory and its application to automotive systems.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience with automated testing and scripting is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and excellent opportunities for professional growth within the automotive industry. You will have the chance to work on advanced powertrain technologies and contribute to the development of future vehicles. The role in Vereeniging provides a challenging and rewarding career in a key industrial hub of Gauteng.