Engine Performance Development Engineer - Combustion

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Engine Performance Development Engineer works in Ford’s Engine Performance Development department, which verifies engine attributes related to combustion, mechanical function, and durability using engine dynamometers. The role involves hands-on work with engine hardware and contributes to optimizing engine controls for fuel economy and performance, validating durability through cycle-based testing, and establishing advertised power and torque for regulatory agencies and marketing.

The engineer designs and oversees test plans to validate engine fuel economy, performance, durability, combustion strategy, and system architecture. They coordinate test preparation and execution, process and analyze test data, and apply thermal-fluid-science principles to understand engine behavior and determine optimal designs and calibrations. The role also develops tools and methodologies for more efficient data analysis and communicates results through technical reports, presentations, and meetings. This position is hybrid; candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub location may be required to work onsite four or more days per week.

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 test plans for validation of fuel economy, performance, durability, combustion strategy, and engine system architecture.
• Define test objectives and experimental methods; specify test equipment and instrumentation, including data acquisition systems and emissions-sampling equipment.
• Ensure testing adheres to engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and safety protocols.
• Coordinate with engineering teams, manage resources, guide test preparation, schedule test activities, and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Post-process engine test data using company-specific and industry-standard analysis and visualization tools, and conduct data quality checks.
• Analyze test data to identify trends and anomalies in combustion, fuel economy, performance, and emissions.
• Apply thermal-fluid-science principles to interpret test results and define optimal engine designs and calibrations.
• Prepare and present analysis results in technical reports, presentations, and data-summary meetings for engineering and management teams.
• Develop and implement post-processing tools and methodologies, including scripts, algorithms, and software, and refine 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 childcare.
• 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