Project Engineer - Transmission & eDrive Validation

FEV North America Inc Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States Engineering

About this position

Description:

     

As a Test Engineer for transmission & eDrive validation, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and leading mechanical and efficiency-focused testing of electrified powertrain and driveline systems in a controlled test cell environment. This role includes supporting hands-on testing of motors, gearboxes, e-axles, and related subsystems with a strong emphasis on efficiency, losses, durability, and fluid performance. 


Responsibilities:

  • Lead mechanical and efficiency testing activities in powertrain and component-level test cells 
  • Plan and execute   efficiency mapping, spin loss, power loss, and parasitic loss testing for motors, gearboxes, e-axles, and       integrated drive units 
  • Develop and execute test procedures for mechanical performance, friction, thermal behavior, and   lubrication performance 
  • Support durability and endurance testing including load cycling, thermal cycling, and accelerated life testing 
  • Conduct and support fluid evaluations including lubricant screening, viscosity impact studies, temperature sensitivity, and aging effects 
  • Configure and commission test cell hardware including dynamometers, torque transducers, speed sensors, temperature and pressure instrumentation 
  • Analyze mechanical test data including torque, speed, efficiency, temperature, vibration, and loss breakdowns 
  • Work closely with design, controls, and analysis teams to identify root causes and recommend design or calibration improvements 
  • Provide technical leadership in the test cell, mentoring junior engineers, coordinating with technicians, and enforcing safe/efficient test execution 


Requirements:

 Required Qualifications:  

  • 5+ years of experience in mechanical or powertrain testing within automotive or electrified propulsion systems 
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline
  • Strong understanding   of rotating machinery, driveline systems, bearings, gears, and lubrication fundamentals 
  • Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting dynamometer-based test cells 
  • Proven experience leading complex test campaigns and providing technical direction in a laboratory environment 
  • Efficiency, spin loss, and power loss characterization methods 
  • Durability, endurance, and thermal stress testing methodologies 
  • Experience with mechanical instrumentation: torque, speed, temperature, pressure, flow, vibration 
  • Familiarity with DAQ systems and test automation environments (e.g., ADAPT, iTest, Morphee, CANAlyzer, CANoe, ATI-Vision, INCA, Perception, LabVIEW-based systems) 
  • Strong data analysis   skills using Excel, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent tools 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Experience testing electrified drive units (EDU, e-axle, integrated motor/gearbox assemblies) 
  • Background in NVH testing as it relates to mechanical   losses and durability 
  • Understanding of automotive networks (e.g., CAN, LIN, FlexRay, Ethernet) 
  • Experience supporting correlation between test cell results and vehicle-level efficiency or range performance 
  • Familiarity with OEM or supplier development processes for BEV or hybrid powertrains