Propulsion Systems Design and Systems Engineer

Ford•Dearborn, MI

About The Position

Lead technology development workstreams for advanced propulsion technologies and systems for electrified applications such as hybrid electric (e.g. EREVs, FHEVs, PHEVs) and electric vehicles. Utilize electrified propulsion expertise to design advanced propulsion systems and architectures based on system-level tradeoffs and vehicle-level attributes, such as vehicle fuel economy, performance, drivability, and NVH Lead cross functional teams (e.g. battery, motor, driveline, high voltage system, edrivetrain, controls, calibration, simulation, thermal) to develop requirements and design verification plans, assess attributes and robustness for new electrified technology including full vehicle design, build and/or test Assess propulsion system design trade-offs between thermal, packaging, NVH and hardware/software solutions and impact to vehicle performance, range/fuel economy, and cooling in collaboration with vehicle simulation, thermal, and component teams Collect and analyze propulsion system and vehicle data to optimize the propulsion system design and ensure requirements and attributes are achieved Apply systems engineering and problem-solving tools and methods (Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DFMEA) for system and technology concept development, cascading requirements and project scoping. Use customer-focused design principles to develop advanced propulsion technologies Prepare and present technical project reviews to management Scope new technology projects and/or workstreams by defining development workplans, identifying resource needs and identifying the business case Work with Ford and supplier engineering teams to guide the development of new technologies through stage-gated technology development, including identification and resolution of key technical challenges for integration of the technology into Ford products Identify and engineer technology interfaces, ideal functions, noise factors, requirements and failure modes Develop and evaluate design concepts to meet key technology attributes and use cases including application of customer vehicle data analytics Conduct competitive benchmarking assessments Develop technology design verification test plans to evaluate technology attributes, performance and robustness Execute technology design verification testing through simulation, bench and full vehicle testing

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or equivalent engineering degree
2 years prior experience in electrified propulsion systems and/or components engineering, testing and analysis
Ability and interest to design clean-sheet advanced propulsion systems
Demonstrated experience working with cross functional teams and driving development issues to resolution
Hands-on experience in conducting bench and vehicle-level tests
Strong problem-solving, leadership, communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills
Motivated to learn and contribute quickly
Self-motivated with eagerness to take on responsibility, deliver results with minimal supervision, and manage multiple workstreams concurrently in an effective and efficient manner.
Strong leadership, teamwork, and collaboration skills with ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Strong communicator capable of presenting effectively to varied technical audiences

Nice To Haves

M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or related field
Passion for and understanding of all electrified powertrain systems (battery, motor, thermal)
Previous experience in fast-paced work environment focusing on propulsion systems, e.g. start-up company or Formula SAE team or similar work experience
Significant vehicle level development, powertrain, and individual component design experience.
Experience designing, developing and testing hardware from first idea to real world.
Ability to use basic physics to predict torque, power and energy required for different use cases
Proficient understanding of automotive systems and hybrid powertrain architectures and ability to understand nuance and tradeoffs between various applications
Strong systems engineering skills and propulsion systems technical background
Experience in propulsion engineering or comparable engineering role such as electrified system design, build, test, controls and/or calibration
Knowledge of key powertrain sub-systems with emphasis on electrified propulsion systems
Understanding of electrical architecture on a vehicle system level, e.g. how different modules interface/communicate in current and future connected vehicle environments
Understanding of electrified propulsion systems functionality and vehicle attribute trade-offs
Familiarity with vehicle controls systems and vehicle energy management
Ability to manage competing technology attributes at a system level and cascade attribute requirements to system level design requirements
Experience using data acquisition systems, data processing and analysis for design, development, and validation of propulsion systems
Demonstrated track record of delivering new technologies to vehicle programs
Willingness and ability to travel to vehicle proving ground sites and test labs
Experience with or willingness to learn the following skills: ATI Vision Software development experience in C, C++, Python, Matlab/Simulink or equivalent WORQ / ELMS work / test requests

Responsibilities

Lead technology development workstreams for advanced propulsion technologies and systems for electrified applications
Design advanced propulsion systems and architectures based on system-level tradeoffs and vehicle-level attributes
Lead cross functional teams to develop requirements and design verification plans, assess attributes and robustness for new electrified technology
Assess propulsion system design trade-offs between thermal, packaging, NVH and hardware/software solutions and impact to vehicle performance, range/fuel economy, and cooling
Collect and analyze propulsion system and vehicle data to optimize the propulsion system design and ensure requirements and attributes are achieved
Apply systems engineering and problem-solving tools and methods for system and technology concept development, cascading requirements and project scoping
Use customer-focused design principles to develop advanced propulsion technologies
Prepare and present technical project reviews to management
Scope new technology projects and/or workstreams by defining development workplans, identifying resource needs and identifying the business case
Work with Ford and supplier engineering teams to guide the development of new technologies through stage-gated technology development
Identify and engineer technology interfaces, ideal functions, noise factors, requirements and failure modes
Develop and evaluate design concepts to meet key technology attributes and use cases including application of customer vehicle data analytics
Conduct competitive benchmarking assessments
Develop technology design verification test plans to evaluate technology attributes, performance and robustness
Execute technology design verification testing through simulation, bench and full vehicle testing