Research and Advanced Electrified Propulsion Systems Engineer

Ford • Dearborn, MI

21h • $74,300 - $124,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

Develop and integrate innovative, next-generation electrified powertrain systems and technologies for future products, with an emphasis on groundbreaking electrified vehicles. Our Research and Advanced Engineering (R&A) organization is growing and is in search of outstanding, first-principles-driven individuals to help shape the direction of our next-generation electrified propulsion systems. As part of a fast-paced team that designs new electrified powertrains from scratch (including pioneering platforms like the first electric F-150 and other highly confidential advanced vehicle programs), successful applicants will bridge the gap between high-level systems architecture and hands-on prototype execution. You will lead the physical, functional, and controls integration of advanced subsystems (including energy storage, drive units, power electronics, and thermal systems) and develop systems-level tradeoffs to optimize vehicle-level attributes. This role is ideal for engineers who love "clean-sheet" development and want a highly hands-on role in developing new prototype vehicles where the answer isn’t always known.

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or related field
• 2 years prior experience with electrified systems, including the sizing, packaging, testing, and integration of powertrain subsystems (e.g., energy storage, drive units, power electronics, or thermal systems; can include college-level work like Formula SAE)
• Ability and interest to design clean-sheet advanced propulsion systems using first principles approach to component selection and design
• Demonstrated experience working with cross functional teams and driving development issues to resolution
• Hands-on experience in conducting bench and vehicle-level tests
• Passion for and understanding of all electrified powertrain systems (battery, motor, thermal)

Nice To Haves

• Motivated to learn and contribute quickly
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Power Point, Project)
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote Vehicle Proving Ground sites

Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering expertise for advanced propulsion designs, including understanding how subsystem sizing, high-voltage architectures, thermal limits, and packaging affect vehicle-level attributes (such as performance, range, efficiency, and charging behavior).
• Work with component, simulation, and vehicle program teams to size, select, and define subsystem architectures for advanced propulsion systems based on multiple competing priorities (e.g., power, energy, mass, thermal capacity, cost).
• Support the integration, wiring/control interfacing, and initial commissioning of advanced propulsion subsystems (energy storage, drive units, thermal management, power electronics, and controls) into advanced prototype vehicles, breadboards, and dyno test beds.
• Lead cross-functional projects (including e-motor, power electronics, energy storage, driveline, high-voltage distribution, thermal management, controls, calibration, and simulation) to develop requirements, attribute assessments, robustness assessments, and design verification plans.
• Work with vehicle simulation, thermal, and component teams to assess propulsion system design tradeoffs between thermal, packaging, NVH, and hardware/software solutions.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting and diagnostics on prototype vehicles and benches when things don't work as planned.
• Collect and analyze propulsion system and vehicle test data (from lab benches, dynos, and on-road testing) to optimize and validate the holistic propulsion system design.
• Apply systems engineering and problem-solving tools and methods (Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DFMEAs) for system and technology concept development, cascading requirements, and project scoping.
• Prepare and present concise technical project reviews to senior management and technical leadership.

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: Entry Level