Powertrain Controls Simulation Model Developer - Plant Modeling

About the role

The Core Modeling and Simulation team supports powertrain controls developers and calibrators with an ecosystem of advanced simulation tools used to validate modern control systems. The team creates, maintains, and scales the virtual vehicle ecosystem, eliminating the dependency on physical prototypes during the software development cycle.

Responsibilities

• Architect & Design Plant Models: Define system architectures, subsystem interfaces, and component models in Simulink and Simscape. Ensure models are detailed enough to validate control systems but fast enough to run in real-time (or faster) on HIL and SIL simulators.
• Lead Whitespace Projects: Own the end-to-end development, integration, and validation of our new Simscape-based diesel engine and electrical system models.
• Develop Parameterization Strategies: Establish strategies for populating and tuning plant models using data sourced from physical component testing, dyno runs, and vehicle calibration activities.
• Integrate with Simulation Infrastructure: Design robust model interfaces, paying special attention to virtual sensors and actuators to ensure seamless integration with our automated MIL/SIL/HIL testing processes.
• Validate & Automate: Apply an iterative development approach. Use our automated Continuous Integration (CI) pipeline to run unit, system, and full-vehicle validation maneuvers, comparing simulation results against physical vehicle data.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with a deeply experienced team of modelers, controls engineers, and ADAS teams. Build an internal network of Ford system experts to align simulation capabilities with future vehicle product cycles.
• Apply your knowledge and experience with automotive systems to develop models which are appropriately detailed, yet fast enough, to support validation of ECU control systems in real-time or faster.

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience designing, building, and validating simulation models of automotive powertrain or vehicle systems.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience using MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape.

Qualifications

• Ecosystem Integration: Experience developing models within an established software ecosystem, adhering to strict interface standards (e.g., using S-functions, reference models, variant subsystems, or Functional Mock-up Units/FMUs).
• Modern Development Practices: Experience leveraging AI-assisted engineering tools (such as GitHub Copilot and Model Context Protocol/MCP extensions) to accelerate model development, debugging, and testing.

Skills

• Experience with scripting languages (Python, MATLAB m-scripting) to automate simulation execution and data analysis.
• Familiarity with Agile workflows and project management tools like Jira.
• Experience with code-base version control systems like Git.

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.

Pay

This position is a salary grade 6-8 and ranges from $85,400-$192,900. Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Schedule

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.