Vehicle Controls Engineer - Propulsion Controls

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’sResearch and Advanced Engineeringteam takes new ideas from theory to reality. Every day, we develop advanced energy management and propulsion technologies, create cutting-edge materials and manufacturing processes, and curate world-class cabin experiences that redefine what it means to drive a Ford.

In this position...
We are seeking a Vehicle Controls Engineer - Propulsion Controls to join a world-class group dedicated to building cutting-edge propulsion, energy, and thermal systems, you will play a pivotal role in defining how our future vehicles perform, operate, and feel. This role designs and develops advanced vehicle control algorithms for next-generation powertrain systems to deliver superior vehicle attributes.

The Vehicle Controls Engineer - Propulsion Controls direct impact driving the end-to-end development process, including control architecture selection, algorithm simulation, and software implementation.

Core Responsibilities:

• Develop vehicle control algorithms for advanced powertrain systems to deliver vehicle attributes, including control architecture selection, algorithm simulation, implementation, and verification and validation via leveraging a combination of model-in-the-loop (MIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and vehicle test environments

• Support controls team with creation, maintenance, troubleshooting of development of platform tools: software build system, software version and calibration management, data repository management, context-specific AI tools

• Leverage, subsystem- and component-level CAE models to analyze dynamic systems and complex system interactions, and to support concept analysis and verification, parameter optimization, and controls/design verification and validation

• Define and review physical system testing and characterization to validate CAE models and guide vehicle and control system design

• Provide controls and software support to Systems Engineering and Functional Safety work partners

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation to support global engineering and quality processes, and to facilitate technology transfer: system models, use cases, requirements, design validation tests and methods

• Support and present research on the application of advanced controls and methods for advanced powertrain systems

• Leverage connected vehicle technologies (wireless communication, location and route data, cloud-compute resources, AI/ML techniques, etc.) to improve customer experience with enhanced controls and prognostics

Minimum Requirements:

• M.S. or equivalent in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, systems engineering or similar field with a control systems focus

• 6+ years of experience in dynamic systems modeling and real-time controls development for automotive or similar complex electromechanical systems

• 6+ years in roles requiring understanding of automotive powertrain (including hybrid electrical vehicle) systems and controls, and vehicle dynamics with fundamental knowledge of general dynamics, hydraulics, electric machines, batteries, internal combustion engines, and mechatronic actuators

• 6+ years in roles demonstrating the ability to develop controls software for embedded targets using C or C++

• 6+ years in roles demonstrating the ability to use Matlab/Simulink or Python for system modeling, simulation, scripting, and data analysis 

• 6+ years of experience working in Linux, Unix and Windows environments

• 6+ years of experience with unit testing platforms for tools development (pytest, Google Test, Ceedling)

• 6+ years experience with standard systems engineering tools including boundary diagrams, fault tree analyses, FMEAs, P-diagrams, etc.

• 6+ years in roles demonstrating excellence in problem-solving (with a passion for new technology development)

• 6+ years of experience in roles requiring effective communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills in a team environment and the ability to work well with others as part of a diverse global team

Additional Desired Skills:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, systems engineering or similar field

• 3+ years of experience in distributed systems engineering including requirements management, function decomposition and allocation, failure mode avoidance, robustness analysis, and system validation and verification

• Experience with modern build systems (Bazel, Gradle) and continuous integration and continuous delivery systems (Jenkins, GitHub Actions)

• Experience with longitudinal controls for xEV systems (series hybrid, parallel hybrid, mild hybrid, battery electric, fuel cell)

• Familiarity with ISO26262 engineering tools including Hazard Analysis, Functional Safety Concept, Safety Requirements Specification, Functional Safety Requirements, Technical Safety Requirements

• Hands-on experience with distributed system prototyping, troubleshooting, and commissioning

• Experience using Matlab/Simulink for embedded controls development

• Experience with standard version control and collaboration systems (ClearCase, AccuRev, git, GitHub)

• Experience applying CAE (MIL/SIL/HIL, virtual system/plant models, regression testing) concepts and CI (Jenkins, GitHub, Gradle) tools in robust system controls development

• Knowledge of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN) and experience with analysis tools including CANalyzer, CANape, CANLab, etc.

• Familiarity with Ford development processes GTDS and GPDS

• Familiarity with Ford systems engineering systems and tools including VSEM, FEDE, Stages, FRD, HLF

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 grade 7 or 8 and ranges from $118,700-$232,700.  

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.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here:https://fordcareers.co/GSR

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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