Senior Powertrain Controls Engineer

As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in the environmental and social initiatives in communities across our nation. GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero‑emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation in the industry for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support. From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA.

• Leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, near‑zero CNG and clean diesel transit buses
• Renowned for its inclusive team/family‑oriented culture
• Stable, successful, and growing organization – a Bay Area business for over 132 years!
• Flexible schedules (
  * depending on project needs)
• Excellent compensation including company paid medical premiums, generous retirement plan and other comprehensive benefits

GILLIG Engineering is responsible for the development, customization, and configuration of GILLIG’s clean technology heavy‑duty transit buses. We are committed to developing the most reliable buses that connect communities, eliminate congestion, and contribute to a greener environment. Our engineers are engaged in designing, analyzing, testing, launching, and problem solving across a wide range of technical areas.

GILLIG’s Colorado Technical Center (CTC) is an engineering hub dedicated to advancing innovative technologies for GILLIG products. The CTC Controls Team is responsible for the development and integration of advanced control algorithms for powertrain systems and critical vehicle body functions for all platforms. Working closely with cross‑functional teams, they conduct rigorous testing and validation to ensure these algorithms meet functional requirements, comply with regulatory standards, and contribute to delivering high‑quality, reliable transit buses to the market.

We are looking for a Senior Powertrain Controls Engineer who will lead the development of control algorithms for powertrain and vehicle systems across all GILLIG buses. You will be directly involved in developing, testing, and releasing algorithms for various systems, subsystems, and components – including but not limited to traction motors, HV power distribution, passenger HVAC, safety systems, and EV charging systems – ensuring that all algorithms meet safety, regulatory, reliability, and performance requirements.

You will also lead the creation of advanced vehicle diagnostics and detailed troubleshooting guides to support technicians in resolving bus issues effectively.

This is a hands‑on, on‑site role at our Colorado Technical Center in Loveland, CO and reports to the Controls Engineering Manager.

Powertrain Controls

Develop, optimize, and implement supervisory control algorithms and diagnostics for a unified transit bus powertrain system, including ownership of key software functions such as vehicle creep, isolation monitoring, power coordination, torque limits arbitration, and zero‑emission powertrain integration.

• Create functional requirements for vehicle behavior to ensure compliance with program requirements and standards. Define communication interfaces and protocols for all vehicle systems
• Develop, test, and validate control algorithms to improve both existing and future bus capabilities. Design and implement customized algorithms for embedded controllers to optimize vehicle performance, drawing on foundational knowledge of EV specific architecture, components, and standards
• Construct and modify codes/models using tools such as Simulink, MATLAB, and structured text for real‑time embedded targets
• Create environments to design, test, and refine electronic control systems prior to their integration on a vehicle
• Actively contribute to software‑specific design test plans. Perform hands‑on troubleshooting, testing, and validation activities both onsite and in the field. Collaborate with engineers to bring up prototype buses and address issues effectively
• Lead the development of advanced diagnostics and create detailed troubleshooting guides to support…