Engine Performance Development Engineer - Combustion

Ford • Dearborn, MI

3d • $86,600 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

Engine Performance Development (EPD) verifies engine attributes related to combustion, mechanical function, and durability using engine dynamometers. The team optimizes engine control settings to improve fuel economy and performance, validates durability through cycle-based testing, and establishes advertised power and torque for regulatory agencies and marketing. This is a hands-on role involving direct work with engine hardware.

The engineer designs and oversees testing plans that validate engine fuel economy, performance, durability, combustion strategy, and system architecture. The role includes coordinating test preparation and execution, processing and analyzing engine test data, interpreting results using thermal fluid science principles, and presenting findings to engineering and management teams. The engineer also develops and improves tools and methods for efficient data analysis.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field of study.
• At least 4 years of experience in the automotive industry.
• At least 4 years of experience in engine design or knowledge of engine functions.
• Experience in engine testing, combustion data analysis, and engine controls calibration.
• Experience with Diesel or Spark Ignited combustion processes.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Engineering or Computer Science.
• Experience and/or knowledge of dynamometer testing.
• Knowledge of data processing.
• Experience analyzing engine or combustion datasets.

Responsibilities

• Design and oversee engine testing plans for validation of fuel economy, performance, durability, combustion strategy, and engine system architecture.
• Define test objectives and select experimental methodologies and designs.
• Specify engine testing equipment and instrumentation, including data acquisition systems and gaseous and particulate emissions sampling equipment.
• Ensure testing complies with engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and safety protocols.
• Coordinate with engineering teams, resources, test preparation, schedules, and troubleshooting to support efficient test execution.
• Post-process engine test data using company-specific and industry-standard analysis and visualization tools, and check data quality and integrity.
• Analyze test data to identify trends and anomalies in combustion, fuel economy, performance, and emissions.
• Apply thermal fluid science principles to understand engine test results and define optimal engine designs and calibrations.
• Prepare technical reports and present analysis results in data summary meetings for engineering and management teams.
• Develop and implement post-processing tools and methodologies, including scripts, algorithms, software, and refinements to existing tools.
• Prepare test data for presentations to cross-functional team members.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level