Powertrain Engineer
Role Overview
Ascentt is seeking a Powertrain Engineer to join our propulsion systems team in Ann Arbor. You will contribute to the design, development, calibration, and validation of advanced propulsion systems spanning hybrid, battery-electric, and internal-combustion architectures. This role suits an engineer who enjoys working at the intersection of hardware and controls, and who wants ownership of systems that go into production vehicles.
We are hiring at both the mid and senior level; scope and responsibility will be matched to your experience.
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Location: Ann Arbor, MI — on-site/hybrid (local candidates or those willing to relocate)
- Employment Type: Full-time Department: Powertrain / Propulsion Systems Engineering Reports To: [Manager, Powertrain Systems]
About the Role
Ascentt is seeking a Powertrain Engineer to join our propulsion systems team in Ann Arbor. You will contribute to the design, development, calibration, and validation of advanced propulsion systems spanning hybrid, battery-electric, and internal-combustion architectures. This role suits an engineer who enjoys working at the intersection of hardware and controls, and who wants ownership of systems that go into production vehicles.
We are hiring at both the mid and senior level; scope and responsibility will be matched to your experience.
What You'll Do
Develop and validate powertrain systems and subsystems across hybrid (HEV/PHEV), battery-electric (BEV), and ICE applications
Define system-level requirements, architectures, and interfaces, and cascade them to component-level specifications
Support development of transmission, driveline, thermal management, torque management, and energy management strategies
Perform modeling, simulation, and analysis to predict system performance, efficiency, and durability (MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, AVL Cruise, or equivalent)
Plan and execute dyno, HIL, bench, and in-vehicle testing; analyze data and drive issue resolution to root cause
Support calibration and controls development, including torque arbitration, energy management, and thermal strategies
Collaborate cross-functionally with controls, electrical, battery, vehicle integration, safety, and manufacturing teams
Contribute to DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, and technical documentation
Interface with suppliers on component selection, specification, and technical issue resolution
(Senior level) Provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and own major subsystems from concept through production launch
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- Mid-Level: 3–7 years of relevant powertrain or propulsion systems experience
- Senior: 8+ years of relevant experience, including ownership of systems through a production program
- Hands-on experience in one or more of the following: hybrid systems, battery-electric propulsion, internal combustion engines, transmissions/driveline, thermal management, torque management, or energy management
- Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and data analysis tools
- Experience with test planning, instrumentation, and data acquisition (dyno, HIL, or vehicle-level)
- Working knowledge of CAN communication and vehicle networks
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work from ambiguous requirements to a validated design
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree or PhD in a relevant engineering discipline
- Experience with hybrid architectures (P0–P4, series, power-split) and associated control strategies
- Familiarity with battery systems, power electronics, or e-motor integration
- Experience with GT-SUITE, AVL, dSPACE, ETAS INCA, Vector CANape, or similar toolchains
- Knowledge of ASPICE, ISO 26262, or functional safety processes
- Experience with 1D/3D thermal modeling and vehicle-level energy efficiency optimization
- Prior experience taking a propulsion program from concept through SOP
- Ascentt is building cutting-edge data analytics & AI/ML solutions for global automotive and manufacturing leaders. We turn enterprise data into real-time decisions using advanced machine learning and GenAI. Our team solves hard engineering problems at scale, with real-world industry impact. We’re hiring passionate builders to shape the future of industrial intelligence.
About Ascentt
Enterprise AI and data solutions firm serving manufacturing and automotive organizations with analytics and intelligent platforms.
Visit company websiteJobs and hiring trendsApply for this job in 1 click
Skip the repetitive application forms
Install the Base Career Chrome Extension and autofill job applications across major job boards with your profile.
Trusted by over 500,000 job seekers on Base Career
More from this employer
More jobs at Ascentt
Senior Power BI Developer
Plano, USA
Ascentt is seeking a senior Power BI developer to own enterprise reporting, from stakeholder requirements and governed data models to executive dashboards and performance tuning. The role requires a bachelor's or master'
Program Manager - Manufacturing transformation
Lexington, USA
Senior Business Analyst — Product Development & Client Enablement
Plano, USA
Full Stack Developer
Pune, IND
QA Lead
Indore, IND
Senior Power BI Developer
Plano, USA
Project Manager (with Scrum Master skills)
Indore, IND
Sr. DevOps Engineer
Pune, IND
Manufacturing Data Analyst
Plano, USA
Program Manager - Manufacturing transformation
Lexington, USA
Senior Business Analyst — Product Development & Client Enablement
Plano, USA