Vehicle Dynamics Performance Lead
About the role
The Project Performance Lead (PPL) for Vehicle Dynamics is responsible for achieving vehicle level ride and handling targets for Stellantis Vehicles. The candidate will coordinate with a team of core dynamics engineers to establish development timelines to meet all functional objectives, component tuning freeze dates, and electronic control hardware/software release dates. Further responsibilities include analyzing and mitigating the vehicle dynamics performance impact of engineering, brand, and marketing requests. The PPL also leads coordination of activities with multiple external stakeholders (powertrain, mechatronics, etc.) and must be confident providing updates to senior management regarding state of the program. The Advanced PPL will be responsible for vehicle development of the critical components to meet the vehicle's overall ride, steering, handling, and tire performance objectives. This development work takes place at numerous sites in and around Southeast Michigan, with travel required to other test locations as both weather, and test surface conditions dictate. Travel is mostly domestic within North America, but can also be international, and is less than 20% of the Engineer's time.
Responsibilities
- Provide guidance to advanced chassis design teams to develop suspension architectures which support vehicle line targets and FOs
- Lead development activities including testing and subjective assessment of virtual vehicle level function to ensure alignment with targets
- Responsible for development of suspension mechanical and electromechanical components and systems in order to achieve driving dynamics functional attribute targets
- Perform subjective evaluations of ride, steering, and handling and assign ratings according to SAE subjective scales up to and beyond the handling limits of the vehicle
- Work closely with suppliers to drive changes required to complete tuning of all systems including air springs, passive dampers, semi-active dampers, and electronic power steering
- Support all active chassis teams in development/implementation/testing of electromechanical hardware and supporting software through data acquisition system
- Development of state-of-the-art prototype and production controls solutions for electromechanical suspension components
- Contribute to development of future semi-active damping strategies and algorithm functional execution
- Work closely with chassis controls team members to develop seamless integration with other active chassis controls components and systems
- Development and execution of vehicle performance DVP&R
- Support core software team with execution of functional and failsafe DVP&R with vehicle level tests
Basic Requirements
- Minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent
- Minimum of 8 years of automotive testing and validation experience
- Excellent knowledge of vehicle dynamics
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of vehicle systems
- Experience with requirements management and software version management tools
- Effective project management, organizational, and teamwork skills
- Must be capable of driving vehicles at, or above the limit of handling
- Valid US driver's license
Preferred Qualifications
- Master of Science in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
- 10 years of Development experience
- DFSS Green Belt certification
- Data logging and analysis using tools (Vector CANalyzer, CANape, etc.)
- Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) simulation experience
- Mechatronics based skills/experience/education
- Self-starter with strong communication skills
- CAN networking experience
- Microsoft Office tools
Benefits
- Comprehensive health & well-being coverage including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage from your first day, plus Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential support for personal and professional challenges
- Family building benefit supporting all paths to parenthood including fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy
- Generous paid time off including 17+ paid holidays with shut-down from December 24th through New Year's Day, vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time, and fully paid parental leave
- Competitive retirement savings plans with employer match on 401k, Roth, and Catch-Up contributions, plus an employer contribution even if you don't contribute
- Income protection & insurance options including employer-provided and voluntary plan offerings such as life insurance, group accident, and critical illness
- Company vehicle lease program for eligible employees and immediate families with insurance, maintenance, and unlimited miles included, plus exclusive discounts on Stellantis products
- Tuition reimbursement and student loan refinancing programs
- 18 paid volunteer hours each year