Lead Engineer, Zonal ECU Design Responsible Engineer

Scout Motors • Novi, MI

20h • $160,000 - $192,500 • Onsite

About The Position

Scout Motors is hiring a Lead Engineer, Zonal ECU Design Responsible Engineer to own the end-to-end design and release strategy for zonal electronic control units (ECUs), from concept through production launch. The role serves as the technical subject matter expert for zonal ECU hardware and exercises independent judgment on significant technical issues that may affect the broader Vehicle Software & Electrical Engineering function.

The engineer will define and govern ECU hardware requirements and tradeoffs, lead design reviews and validation activities, ensure compliance with applicable automotive and internal standards, and direct supplier technical work. The position also leads cross-functional issue resolution during builds, validation, launch, and lifecycle changes; develops scalable engineering practices and standards; mentors engineers as needed; and provides ECU requirements and readiness input to production-facility and manufacturing-process design.

The position is based at Scout Motors’ Novi, Michigan location and requires 4–5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and occasional travel for company events. It is a full-time, exempt role with a base salary range of $160,000–$192,500 and eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, combined electrical/mechanical engineering, or a relevant field.
• 12 or more years of progressive experience in ECU hardware development and release, including leadership of critical ECU programs from concept through production launch.
• Demonstrated success launching critical ECUs into production, such as body electrical, powertrain, battery, drive unit, power distribution, zonal, or centralized compute systems.
• Expertise in ECU hardware architecture, PCB design, component selection, thermal and power analysis, signal integrity, manufacturing, and validation.
• Ability to resolve significant and unique technical issues, evaluate intangible and competing factors, and exercise independent judgment on decisions affecting a broader engineering function.
• Ability to coordinate across groups, convey advanced technical information, influence diverse stakeholders, and build alignment without direct authority.
• Strong understanding of automotive communication protocols, including CAN, LIN, Ethernet, and FlexRay, and their hardware implications.
• Experience across automotive product development phases, including requirements, design, sourcing, test, validation, launch, and lifecycle support.
• Experience directing supplier technical work and, where needed, guiding engineers or extended team members.
• Strong ECU development and release skills using structured engineering and problem-solving methods such as Six Sigma, DFMEA, and root-cause analysis.
• Ability to work independently while communicating risks, recommendations, and decisions to leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, a positive attitude, a growth mindset, flexibility in a fast-paced environment, and a collaborative approach.
• Ability to work in person at the Novi, Michigan location 4–5 days per week and travel occasionally for company events.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with zonal architecture or centralized vehicle compute systems.
• Deep knowledge of cybersecurity and functional safety requirements.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
• Experience establishing ECU engineering standards, reusable methods, or cross-program lessons learned.
• Strong problem-solving, technical leadership, persuasion, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end design and release strategy for zonal ECUs, from concept through production launch.
• Serve as the zonal ECU hardware subject matter expert and coordinate with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, and supplier teams.
• Define, govern, and approve ECU hardware requirements and technical tradeoffs covering power distribution, thermal management, signal integrity, diagnostics, cybersecurity interfaces, packaging, cost, quality, and timing.
• Lead ECU architecture and design reviews, DFMEAs, validation strategies, and technical decision forums.
• Ensure compliance with applicable automotive standards and internal engineering requirements, including ISO 26262, EMC, ESD, cybersecurity, and manufacturing readiness expectations.
• Direct supplier technical activities and deliverables, establish expectations, resolve escalated technical issues, and support program cost, timing, quality, and launch targets.
• Lead cross-functional and cross-domain issue resolution during build events, validation, launch, and lifecycle change management, including root-cause analysis, risk assessment, recovery planning, and technical arbitration.
• Establish scalable zonal ECU engineering practices, lessons learned, design standards, and continuous-improvement priorities.
• Provide technical direction and mentoring to engineers and extended team members as needed.
• Assess consumer and vehicle-system impacts and recommend improvements to performance, reliability, manufacturability, serviceability, and customer experience.
• Contribute ECU technical requirements and readiness input to production-facility and manufacturing-process design.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, vision, and income protection insurance plans.
• 401(k) program with employer match and immediate vesting.
• 20 days of planned PTO, as accrued.
• 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays annually.
• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders.
• Paid leave for bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave.
• Eligibility to participate in an annual performance bonus program.

What This Job Offers

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