Research & Simulation Engineer

Ford • Dearborn, MI

9d • $99,600 - $192,900 • Hybrid

About The Position

This is an opportunity to work in a research environment defining the next generation of emissions and aftertreatment simulation. As diesel and gas powertrains evolve toward hybridization and electrification, the underlying simulation infrastructure must be reinvented to keep pace. In this role, you will research and build the simulation architectures needed to integrate models of fundamentally new system concepts — including hybridized gas/diesel emissions controls and electrified aftertreatment components such as electric DPFs and electrically heated catalysts — well before they exist in any production toolchain.

What you'll do...
You will work alongside teams developing engine, combustion, aftertreatment, and controls models, with a focus on exploring how these models can be connected, represented, and evolved to support technologies that don't yet have established simulation methods. On a three to five year research horizon, you will also investigate how Agentic AI can be embedded directly into the simulation pipeline — to automate model calibration, accelerate integration, and fundamentally change the speed and quality of simulation.

This role is suited for someone who wants to operate at the leading edge of simulation research, prototyping new approaches and helping define the roadmap.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical / Chemical / Automotive / Controls Engineering or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in engine, emissions, or aftertreatment simulation (e.g., GT-Power, WAVE-RT, or similar 1D/0D simulation tools)
• Experience developing or integrating physics-based models of combustion, emissions, or aftertreatment systems
• Programming background in Python, MATLAB/Simulink, or C/C++
• Demonstrated ability to research, prototype, and independently drive open-ended technical problems to a working solution
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document and present research findings to technical and non-technical audiences

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Mechanical / Chemical / Automotive Engineering or a related field, with a focus on combustion, emissions, aftertreatment, or controls
• Experience with hybrid/electrified powertrain systems and their emissions control implications
• Familiarity with electrified aftertreatment technologies (e.g., electric DPFs, electrically heated catalysts)
• Experience with co-simulation frameworks and model integration across multiple tools and fidelity levels (e.g., FMI/FMU, model-based systems engineering)
• Hands-on experience applying machine learning, AI, or agentic AI frameworks to engineering simulation or calibration workflows
• Experience with model calibration/optimization techniques and automation tooling
• Published research, patents, or conference presentations in simulation, emissions control, or aftertreatment systems
• Ability to work effectively across cross-functional research teams, translating ambiguous, forward-looking concepts into concrete prototypes
• Initiative, curiosity, and comfort operating in a research environment without established workflows or precedent

Responsibilities

• Research and prototype simulation architectures capable of integrating models for hybridized gas/diesel emissions control systems, enabling early-stage development and analysis of concepts ahead of production readiness.
• Develop and integrate models for electrified aftertreatment components — electric DPFs, electrically heated catalysts, and other emerging technologies — in close collaboration with hardware, combustion, and controls research teams.
• Explore new co-simulation and model-integration methods needed to combine models across teams, tools, and fidelity levels for these next-generation systems, where standard interfaces and workflows may not yet exist.
• Build proof-of-concept integration frameworks and demonstrate feasibility before handoff toward broader adoption.
• Investigate and prototype the application of Agentic AI within the simulation pipeline — for example, automated model calibration, intelligent scenario/test generation, self-diagnosing integration issues, or AI-assisted model reduction — on a 3–5 year roadmap.
• Evaluate emerging AI/ML and simulation tools and methodologies, assess their applicability to emissions and aftertreatment simulation, and build early demonstrations of value.
• Partner with technical leadership to help shape the long-term research roadmap for simulation of electrified and hybridized emissions systems.
• Engage with teams building engine, emissions, and aftertreatment models (using GT-Power, WAVE-RT, and in-house tools) to understand existing modeling approaches and identify where next-generation architectures can build on or diverge from them.
• Document research findings, architectural concepts, and prototype results to inform future integration efforts.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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: Senior