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Automotive Ecu Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This exciting position will support the development and production of automotive embedded ... Computer Engineering. Experience: Minimum of 1-3 years applicable experience in automotive ECU ...

... developers. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience in testing of embedded software ... production automotive ECU software. The job requires in-depth knowledge of embedded software ...

Engineering General Responsibilities: The Senior Hardware Engineer is responsible for supporting ... The ideal candidate brings strong experience in automotive ECU development, and excellent ...

... developers. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience in testing of embedded software ... production automotive ECU software. The job requires in-depth knowledge of embedded software ...

EE Commissioning Lead Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$171K - $179K/yr

Hands‑on experience with automotive diagnostics, ECU programming, vehicle software updates or vehicle electrical/electronic systems * Understanding modern vehicle electronic architecture and ...

Showing results 21-40

Automotive Ecu Engineer information

See salary details

$24K

$92.7K

$145K

How much do automotive ecu engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive ecu engineer in the United States is $92,685.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $106,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an automotive ECU engineer do?

An Automotive ECU (Electronic Control Unit) Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing the electronic control units used in vehicles. These engineers work on both hardware and software aspects of ECUs, ensuring that systems such as engine management, braking, and infotainment operate efficiently and safely. Their role involves collaborating with other engineering teams, troubleshooting issues, and staying up-to-date with automotive technologies and standards. They also play a key part in integrating new features and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive ECU engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automotive ECU Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, embedded systems, and automotive software development, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, CANalyzer, and programming languages like C/C++ is often required, along with knowledge of automotive industry standards such as AUTOSAR and ISO 26262. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help engineers address complex challenges and collaborate across disciplines. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring reliable, high-performance vehicle electronics that meet safety and regulatory requirements.

What are some common challenges automotive ECU engineers face when integrating new software with existing vehicle systems?

Automotive ECU Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new software, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy hardware, meeting stringent safety and regulatory standards, and minimizing disruptions to existing vehicle functionalities. They must also collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—such as electrical, mechanical, and software engineers—to troubleshoot issues and validate system performance. Effective communication and a strong understanding of both hardware constraints and software requirements are essential to successfully navigate these integration challenges.

What is the difference between Automotive Ecu Engineer vs Automotive Software Developer?

AspectAutomotive Ecu EngineerAutomotive Software Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Automotive Engineering; certifications in ECU programmingBachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering; coding certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing ECU hardware and firmware in automotive labsDeveloping vehicle software applications in software development teams
Industry UsageFocus on ECU hardware and embedded systems in automotive manufacturingFocus on vehicle software applications and systems integration
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing ECU engineering roles with software development roles in automotivePeople exploring software development careers related to vehicles

Automotive Ecu Engineers primarily focus on designing, testing, and integrating electronic control units hardware and firmware, while Automotive Software Developers concentrate on creating vehicle software applications. Both roles require technical skills but differ in their focus areas within automotive technology.

What are popular job titles related to Automotive Ecu Engineer jobs?

For Automotive Ecu Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Automotive Ecu Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,685 per year, or $44.6 per hour.

Hardware Engineer (ECU/TCU)

Farmington Hills, MI

Hitachi
IT Services • 10K+ employees

$121K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Location:

Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States

Job ID:

R0007323

Date Posted:

2022-02-18-08:00

Company Name:

Hitachi Astemo Americas, Inc.

Profession (Job Category):

Engineering & Science

Job Schedule:

Full time

Remote:

No

Job Description:

Job Summary:

This exciting position will support the development and production of automotive embedded electronic control unit hardware. The duties include supporting analog and digital circuit design through testing, analysis and simulation. Day-to-day activities would include developing circuit designs for automotive engine & traction control systems for quotation and mass production that meet customer specifications requirements. The candidate will also need to communicate new, and existing, design information to various departments/companies (domestic and international) on an as needed basis. This may take the form of preparing presentation material, completing documentation, and attending meetings. Supporting production also includes aiding root cause analysis activities, outlining testing pass/fail criteria. Supporting development also includes supporting automotive validation through preparing test plans, analyzing product specifications, supporting the testing of prototypes, creating test specifications, and following the development through to production. In addition, the position will be responsible for supporting the root cause analysis of modules returned by the customer during the development stage.

Job Responsibilities:

The candidate will need to work with minimal direction but would work under the direction of DE management and senior staff members located at both the Farmington Hills, MI and Harrodsburg, KY facilities. This position will be located at the Farmington Hills, MI facility. Duties to include the following:

  • Review & understand customer specifications for engine and traction control systems
  • Develop circuit designs that meet the customers specifications for performance, EMC & endurance requirements
  • Prepare and maintain various engineering documents to support production of existing and new products: RPLs, eBOMs, Material Data Sheets (IMDS), Design Notes & Presentations related to failure analysis.
  • Support prototype builds for new & existing products
  • Support validation testing of new & existing products with failure analysis as needed
  • Investigate and implement automation improvements to the test stands and judgment parameters (Condition files).
  • Prepare and present final reports for failure analysis activities to appropriate technicians and engineering personnel.
  • Prepare various hardware design documents as necessary.
  • Responsible for working with customer engineers, as necessary, to ensure that program goals are met, schedules are maintained, and problems encountered during the development process are satisfactorily resolved.
  • Assist other project team members and design engineers, in resolving issues related to the design of the electronic hardware.
  • The candidate may be required to travel a limited extent within the U.S and travel to Japan is a possibility.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will:

  • Understand analog and digital hardware systems as applied to automotive control systems.
  • Understand analysis methods and interpreting the results to convey this information to others.
  • Be proficient in setting up and using laboratory test equipment such as multi-meters, scopes, logic analyzer, power analyzer.
  • Conduct investigative circuit analysis using device schematics of products and testing equipment.
  • Exercise critical thinking and dealing with complex problems to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions and conclusions.
  • Have excellent speaking and writing skills to convey information efficiently and effectively.
  • Have experience creating worst case analysis (WCAs) and working with PSPICE
  • Be able to coordinate program activities with team members at remote sites;
  • Have embedded H/W design experience for automotive applications;
  • Poses understanding of, and ability to, program in C or C++ to a limited extent;
  • Be familiar with programming in C or C++.
  • Be familiar with base2, base10, and base16 conversion.
  • Be familiarity with hex editors.
  • Be familiarity with CAN, SPI, LIN, UDS, or other communication protocols is a plus.
  • Have the ability to perform some minor wire harness and/or loadbox assembly and repair.

Additionally, the ability to work independently with minimal direction is required as are strong verbal and written communication skills. Experience with PCs and application software, such as MS Office tools is also required.

Education: Bachelor or Master's degree in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering.

Experience: Minimum of 1-3 years applicable experience in automotive ECU development.

Job level determined by various factors such as organization size, responsibility, career stage, and capabilities.

Working conditions:

  • Physical Demands: Required to sit or stand for long periods of time. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
  • Travel: Domestic and international may be required as needed. The candidate will occasionally need to travel to multiple global locations to support project development.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)-Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job at Hitachi, please send the nature of request and contact information to am-jobs@hitachiastemo.com. Queries other than accommodation requests will not be responded to.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)-Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job at Hitachi, please send the nature of request and contact information to jobs@hitachi-automotive.us. Queries other than accommodation requests will not be responded to.


Hitachi Vantara logo

About Hitachi Vantara

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Hitachi Rail is a fully integrated, global provider of rail solutions across rolling stock, signaling, service & maintenance, digital technology and turnkey. With a presence in 38 countries across three continents and over 13,000 employees, our mission is to contribute to society through the continuous development of superior rail transport solutions.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

2017