What are the responsibilities and job description for the Powertrain Engineer position at Ascentt?
Senior / Mid-Level Powertrain Engineer
Location: Detroit, 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
- Legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship
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