Powertrain Hardware Engineer

Job Title

Must Have Technical/Functional Skills

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Electronics Engineering Technology or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience in automotive electronics)

8+ years of experience in automotive electronics troubleshooting and/or validation

Strong understanding of automotive Engine Control Modules (ECMs) and related subsystems

Proficiency in reading and interpreting:

• Electrical schematics
• Wiring diagrams
• PCB layouts

Can use electrical simulation tools

Deep knowledge of:

• Analog and digital circuit operation
• Power electronics fundamentals (DC-DC, gate drivers, protection circuits)
• Schematic & Gerber tool as Zuken (preferable)
• Worst Case Analysis tool as Mathcad tool

Hands-on experience with lab equipment:

• Oscilloscopes (highly preferred: multi-channel, differential probing)
• Digital multimeters
• Power supplies and electronic loads

Ability to diagnose:

• Component-level failures (FETs, drivers, passives, ICs)
• Intermittent electrical issues
• Thermal-related faults

Experience working with:

• Automotive ECUs/ECMs in development, validation, or field return analysis
• Communication protocols such as: CAN / CAN FD, LIN
• Familiarity with automotive standards and practices:
• ISO 26262 (functional safety awareness)
• AEC-Q100 (component qualification)
• CISPR
  12,25
• Experience using diagnostic tools (e.g., CAN analyzers, OEM tools)
• Strong root cause analysis capability:
• Structured problem solving (5-Why, Fishbone, fault isolation)
• Ability to:
• Recreate failures in lab environments
• Develop test setups and debug methodologies
• Capture and interpret waveforms under dynamic conditions
• Experience with failure modes such as:
• ESD / EOS damage
• Load dump events
• Ground offset / noise issues
• Connector fretting / intermittent
• Experience with:
• Embedded systems debugging (basic firmware awareness helpful)
• Calibration and diagnostic tools (e.g., ETAS INCA, Vector CANoe/CANalyzer)
• Ability to read logs and correlate software behavior with hardware issues

Nice-to-Have / Preferred

Experience with high-volume production environments or warranty return analysis

Familiarity with:

• Thermal interface materials and heat dissipation in power electronics
• Automated test systems
• Prior experience working with suppliers and cross-functional teams
• Switch Mode Power Supplies
• Automotive Injector Circuitry
• Complex micro (preference is TC3xx)
• Knowledge of automotive power systems (12V / 48V architectures)
• Troubleshoot failed ECM units to root cause at system and component level
• Develop and execute diagnostic test plans
• Support production, validation, and field-return investigations
• Document findings and recommend corrective actions
• Interface with design engineering on failure mechanisms and fixes

Roles & Responsibilities

Current product support for complex engine controllers.

Will support everything from technical problem solving to managing future model rolls.

Most of this will be technical in nature, but there will be some program management skills required as well.

Familiar with structured problem solving methodology (5 phase, 7 step, 8D, or similar)

Generic Managerial Skills, If any

Strong documentation skills (clear failure reports, test procedures)

Ability to work independently in a lab environment

Effective communication with design, manufacturing, and quality teams

Detail-oriented with a strong sense of ownership