Ford Racing Powertrain Simulation Engineer

Ford • Allen Park, MI

7d • $65,100 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Racing is seeking a Powertrain Simulation Engineer to build powertrain plant models and simulation tools that support key decisions across Ford Racing's production and motorsports programs. This role will support concept exploration for future vehicles, assist program teams in sizing and selecting powertrain hardware, and provide plant models for controls and calibration development, lap time prediction, and drive cycle evaluation. This position is hybrid and requires at least 4 days per week onsite in Allen Park, MI.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or an equivalent technical degree.
• 2 years' experience developing dynamic system models for simulation and control design.
• 2 years' experience in the design, development, and validation of real-time control systems in both modeling environments and prototype hardware.
• Understanding of automotive powertrain systems and controls (conventional, hybrid electric vehicle, and battery electric vehicle).
• Understanding of general physics, thermos and fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and vehicle dynamics.
• Fundamental knowledge of general dynamics, hydraulics, electric machines, batteries, internal combustion engines, and mechatronic actuators.
• 2 years of demonstrated experience using Matlab/Simulink for system modeling, simulation, data analysis, and embedded control software implementation.

Nice To Haves

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering, or a similar field, with emphasis on simulation, combustion engines, or control system design.
• Deep knowledge of combustion engine operation to assist with high-fidelity engine simulation plant model development and correlation to test data.
• Experience integrating multidisciplinary vehicle subsystem models into simulation environments.
• Experience using industry-standard modeling and simulation packages such as AMESim, GT-POWER, Dymola, CarSim, CarMaker, etc.
• Experience with Python and C++.
• Experience with racing tools, telemetry systems, and vehicle dynamics software.
• Experience implementing AI-based and machine learning engineering solutions or developing advanced analytical tools (i.e., random forest regressor, neural network, model-based calibration, parameter optimization and estimation, etc.).
• Dyno, track, vehicle, and hardware-in-the-loop test experience.
• Experience with vehicle module setup and integration, vehicle sensors, CAN / Ethernet / LIN / UDP communication.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a passion for new technology development.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to work well with others as part of a fast-paced, diverse global team.

Responsibilities

• Develop vehicle, powertrain, and component-level CAE models using Matlab/Simulink (and other programs) to analyze dynamic system performance and complex system interactions, spanning ICE, batteries, electric machines, transmissions, driveline, and tires.
• Manage the integration of powertrain plant models with other multidisciplinary models (vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, vehicle controls, external partner models) to create cohesive simulation environments for various testing scenarios (desktop, MIL, SIL, HIL, DIL).
• Work cross-functionally with controls, calibration, test, and program engineers.
• Design and perform concept vehicle simulation studies to develop hardware and vehicle requirements recommendations.
• Design and implement plant models with sufficient fidelity to support controls and calibration development.
• Develop driver-in-the-loop and dyno control plant models that replicate behaviors observed from track driving, using driver and car feedback.
• Design models and tools to optimize powertrain hardware and control parameters to meet targets.
• Plan and perform hardware testing using test vehicles, dynamometers, labs, or external supplier services to develop, parameterize, and validate plant models.
• Develop analytical data processing software tools to estimate and optimize model parameters, improving correlation between models and development hardware.
• Deploy trackside tools to analyze on-track powertrain performance and identify performance deltas relative to the model.
• Utilize machine learning, AI, and optimization techniques to characterize complex systems and reduce model calibration effort.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

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