ICE Controls Group Engineer

About the role

GM Performance Power Units is seeking a highly motivated ICE Controls Group Engineer to support the development, testing, and trackside operations of our Formula 1 Power Unit. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, this role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a foundational area of our F1 program and join a world-class Electronics & Controls team. The ICE Controls Group Engineer delivers the embedded software solutions that govern the internal combustion engine, supporting SiL and HiL programs, contributing to infrastructure development, and driving innovation across control system domains. As part of the Electronics & Controls team, this role contributes directly to the control precision that will lead to race wins for our advanced hybrid power unit, targeted for debut with the Cadillac F1 Team in 2029.

Responsibilities

• Support the creation of real-time control systems for the F1 Power Unit within regulatory frameworks.
• Develop and calibrate high-performance control strategies across core ICE domains:
  • Air Path Control: Manage throttle, boost, manifold pressure, charge air, and turbo system operating limits to deliver precise airflow under steady-state and transient conditions.
  • Fuel Control: Optimize injection quantity, timing, fuel pressure, lambda control, and cylinder-level trims to support efficient, stable, and high-output combustion.
  • Spark/Ignition Control: Develop spark timing strategies that balance peak torque, knock limitation, combustion stability, and misfire avoidance across the engine operating range.
  • Combustion Control: Use combustion phasing, pressure-based feedback where available, and stability metrics to manage cycle-to-cycle variation, pre-ignition risk, and transient response.
  • Torque Control: Translate driver demand into controlled engine torque through torque estimation, shaping, and limiting strategies that support drivability, reliability, and power unit integration.
  • Thermal Control: Manage coolant, oil, exhaust, and critical component temperature limits to protect performance-sensitive hardware while sustaining peak engine output.
• Support dyno, test bench, SiL/HiL, and track-based development of ICE control strategies by analyzing engine data, refining model-based controls, and validating calibration changes across airflow, boost, fuel, spark, combustion, torque, and thermal control systems.
• Develop and refine physics-informed models for air estimation, manifold dynamics, gas exchange, turbocharger behavior, and combustion response to support advanced ICE control development.
• Help specify and operate HiL systems, assist with DiL component and software testing, and provide event support as needed.
• Contribute to embedded software development, model-based design and testing, primarily using Matlab/Simulink with supporting developments using languages such as C, C++, or Python.
• Assist in building and validating dynamic system models using MATLAB/Simulink for control strategy development.
• Help ensure all control systems meet FIA technical regulations.
• Collect and analyze performance and reliability data from electrical systems and assist in implementing improvements.
• Collaborate with other teams (chassis, powertrain, electronics) to ensure proper integration of control systems.
• Provide assistance during race weekends, including troubleshooting and implementing solutions under guidance.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Software, Mechanical, or related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in control systems design, development, or implementation for real-time applications.
• Basic proficiency in embedded systems programming (C, C++, Python) and familiarity with modeling tools (MATLAB/Simulink).
• Understanding of vehicle dynamics, powertrain control, and data acquisition systems; motorsport experience is a plus.
• Strong teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills; ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel for testing and race events and participate in mission control activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• ICE Controls development experience for Motorsport Applications.
• Familiarity with PU control theory and Simulink programming.
• Exposure to motorsport hardware and tools (e.g., McLaren Applied Technologies).
• Understanding of hybrid systems and energy management concepts.

Benefits

• Bonus scheme
• Private healthcare
• 401(k) plan including company match
• Employer-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• 32 days annual leave (including holidays)
• Free financial advisor access
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Subsidized on-site dining
• On-site gym
• Discounted GM vehicle purchase/lease program
• Free on-site EV charging for personal GM vehicles