Product Development Engineer - Dynamometer Powertrain

Ford • Dearborn, MI

1d • $65,100 - $166,200 • Onsite

About The Position

Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more! In this position, the Dearborn Engine Laboratory performs dynamometer-based powertrain tests on gasoline, diesel, and hybrid systems, covering areas such as powertrain development and durability, calibration, and cooling system evaluations. The Dynamometer Powertrain Test Engineer interfaces with requesting departments to ensure daily testing requirements are clearly understood, scheduled, and documented. A primary focus of this role is overseeing the daily execution of dynamometer powertrain testing while ensuring that test article setup, testing, and disposition are executed to the highest product quality standards. The engineer is responsible for monitoring active tests across multiple lab cells, adhering to strict quality controls to produce correlated, accurate, and reliable data. This role is fundamental to maintaining exceptional product quality, minimizing downtime, and driving continuous improvement in daily lab operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Working knowledge of internal combustion engines, fluid flow mechanics, and basic heat transfer properties.
• Experience with data analysis and a strong foundation in statistics and quality control methodologies.
• A motivated, self-starting individual with the ability to manage daily operational challenges and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Masters of Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Working knowledge of internal combustion engines, fluid flow mechanics, and basic heat transfer properties.
• Experience with data analysis and a strong foundation in statistics and quality control methodologies.
• A motivated, self-starting individual with the ability to manage daily operational challenges and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily execution of dynamometer testing, interfacing with engineering teams to align on objectives, provide status updates, and deliver accurate results.
• Monitor active tests to maintain rigorous product quality and durability standards throughout the testing lifecycle.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting and lead root-cause analysis to rapidly resolve mechanical, electrical, or software anomalies (including PUMA system troubleshooting), minimizing downtime.
• Develop and build test cycles using AVL PUMA test software, software integration work to optimize test cell capabilities and ensure seamless data acquisition.
• Integrate external models into the test bed to simulate real-world vehicle interactions and advanced powertrain behaviors.
• Ensure data accuracy and correlation across multiple test cells utilizing statistical process controls (SPC) and other quality tools.
• Manage test schedules, resource allocation, and daily throughput targets to ensure the timely delivery of results.
• Coordinate with lab technicians to properly prepare and calibrate test cells, while standardizing powertrain rigging and teardown procedures.

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