Senior Chassis Controls Integration Engineer

Ford - Dearborn, MI

Full-time - Mid Level

Dearborn, MI

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. We also believe in providing you with the freedom to define and realize your dreams! With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career potential as you help us define tomorrow's transportation. Ford Model E is responsible for developing the key technologies and capabilities - such as EV platforms, batteries, e-motors, inverters, charging and recycling - to create ground-up breakthrough electric vehicles. By joining the best software, engineering, design and UX talent, you will be a part of creating innovative technologies and concepts that can be applied across the Ford enterprise. Being on the Ford Model E team means building the future as Ford's center of innovation and growth through electric and connected vehicles and services. We are looking for an innovative and detail-oriented Chassis Controls Integration Engineer to join our engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for integrating and optimizing chassis control systems, including braking, suspension, and stability control, to enhance vehicle dynamics and safety. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure these systems meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards, delivering superior handling and dynamic qualities. Your responsibilities will include integrating chassis control systems (e.g., ABS, BTC, ESC) into vehicle platforms, collaborating with electrical, mechanical, and software teams to ensure seamless integration of hardware and software components. You will develop and fine-tune calibration parameters for optimal chassis control system performance across various driving conditions, adjusting control strategies to balance vehicle dynamics, comfort, and safety. Additionally, you will work closely with vehicle dynamics, powertrain, and safety teams to ensure chassis systems integration aligns with overall vehicle performance goals, participating in design reviews and providing technical input on chassis control systems integration. You will contribute to the development and refinement of control algorithms for chassis systems, ensuring that control software is properly calibrated and optimized for different vehicle dynamics and handling characteristics. Your role will also involve participating in functional safety and failure avoidance analysis of complex electrical and software vehicle subsystems, designing and executing test plans for chassis control systems, and analyzing test data to identify performance issues and develop corrective measures. Furthermore, you will lead assessments of reference vehicle chassis systems, ensuring that chassis control systems meet all relevant safety standards and regulatory requirements, and proposing and implementing improvements to enhance the reliability, performance, and user experience of chassis control systems. Finally, you will document integration and calibration processes, test results, and system configurations, preparing technical reports and presentations to communicate findings to stakeholders and management.

Responsibilities

• Integrate chassis control systems (e.g., ABS, BTC, ESC) into vehicle platforms.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and software teams to ensure seamless integration of hardware and software components.
• Develop and fine-tune calibration parameters for optimal chassis control system performance across various driving conditions.
• Adjust control strategies to balance vehicle dynamics, comfort, and safety.
• Work closely with vehicle dynamics, powertrain, and safety teams to ensure chassis systems integration aligns with overall vehicle performance goals.
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical input on chassis control systems integration.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of control algorithms for chassis systems.
• Ensure that control software is properly calibrated and optimized for different vehicle dynamics and handling characteristics.
• Participate in functional safety and failure avoidance analysis of complex electrical and software vehicle subsystems.
• Design and execute test plans for chassis control systems, including both virtual simulations and real-world testing.
• Analyze test data to identify performance issues and develop corrective measures.
• Lead assessments of reference vehicle chassis systems including subjective/objective benchmarking of chassis controllers.
• Conduct instrumented vehicle testing for acceleration, braking, steering, ride and handling, certification testing on all proving ground surfaces.
• Ensure that chassis control systems meet all relevant safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement fail-safe strategies to maintain vehicle stability and control in case of system failures.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in chassis control technologies and integrate innovative solutions into vehicle systems.
• Document integration and calibration processes, test results, and system configurations.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations to communicate findings to stakeholders and management.

Requirements

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Embedded Systems.
• Strong Electrical and Embedded Systems Engineering fundamentals.
• 3+ years of experience in automotive engineering with a focus on chassis control systems.
• Proven experience in integrating and calibrating chassis control systems (e.g., ABS, ESC, BTC).
• 5+ years of experience with Vehicle Network Protocols such as CAN, LIN & Automotive Ethernet.
• Experience and working knowledge of systems development, vehicle architecture, emerging chassis system technologies, software/hardware tool development, brakes and steering system calibration, functional safety, network and diagnostics process.

Nice-to-haves

• Proficiency in using calibration tools and software (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, CANalyzer).
• 5+ years of experience designing and developing safety-critical architectures.
• 3+ years of experience using Embedded networking interface tools for automotive or similar.
• 5+ years of experience in designing and launching new Embedded products (concept to production).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Willingness to travel for testing and collaboration with other teams.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to drive test vehicles.
• M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Embedded Systems.
• Proven technical expertise in Chassis Systems Design and controls strategies understanding of the intricacies of the subsystem.
• Proficiency in fundamentals of vehicle architecture, Embedded systems design, RTOSes and Real Time networking.
• Experience designing and evaluating functional safety concepts in the brakes, steering, and traction control domains.
• Experience in leading product development from concept to deployment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment where you are part of a high performing team.
• A systems approach to design and development with the desire and curiosity to strive for exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Excellent compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings and stock investment plans, incentive compensation and much more.
• Exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.