Co Op Graduate Hardware Engineer Jobs in Michigan

The Student Program at Nexteer Automotive offers high‑potential students meaningful opportunities to apply classroom learning in a professional environment while gaining hands‑on experience and valuable industry exposure. Learn more about our student program and career opportunities at Nexteer by visiting www.nexteer.com/careers.

This is a student co-op position located in Auburn Hills, MI. This position supports ECU application testing and lab activities.

Job Posting: Co-op ECU Application Testing (Automotive)

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented co-op student to join our ECU Application Testing team. This role offers hands-on experience in embedded systems validation and exposure to simulation-based testing. You will gain exposure to the full validation lifecycle of automotive embedded systems while working alongside experienced engineers to ensure robust integration of hardware and software components in automotive ECUs.

In addition to traditional validation activities, this role offers exposure to AI-enabled testing initiatives that support next-generation approaches to intelligent automation, test generation, and validation efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn and navigate the virtual validation toolchain, including Software‑in‑the‑Loop (SIL) and Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) environments
• Gain exposure to industry tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Vector CANoe, and related automation frameworks
• Assist in developing, updating, and executing test cases and test plans for hardware/software integration at component and system levels based on functional and system requirements
• Conduct bench‑level, SIL, and HIL testing using MathWorks and Vector toolchains
• Document test results, identify anomalies/defects, and support root cause analysis in collaboration with senior engineers
• Maintain traceability between requirements and test cases using the RTC toolchain
• Contribute to test automation frameworks using CAPL, Python, C#, or scripting tools
• Support version control and configuration management of simulation models, test assets, and automation artifacts
• Explore simulation‑based fault injection and robustness testing methods
• Participate in software build, release planning, and cross‑functional engineering meetings

AI‑Based Test Initiatives

• Support AI‑assisted test case and test vector generation using requirements, system models, or historical test data
• Assist in validating AI‑generated tests against functional expectations, system requirements, and execution results
• Contribute to data preparation and labeling activities for machine‑learning‑based test initiatives (e.g., requirement‑to‑test mapping, anomaly datasets)
• Participate in benchmarking AI‑generated tests versus manually authored tests to evaluate coverage, quality, and execution effectiveness
• Support integration of AI tools into existing SIL/HIL and automated regression workflows

Requirements

• Candidate must be attending a 2-year college or 4-year university local to Auburn Hills
• Candidate must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

• Candidate must be able to work 2032 hours per week during the fall and winter semesters
• Up to 40 hours per week during the summer semester

• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
• Must be a full-time student (12 or more credits) during the fall and winter semesters

• Candidate must have an interest in embedded systems, microcontrollers, and automotive communication protocols (CAN, CAN FD, LIN, FlexRay)
• Candidate must have a strong interest in coding, with exposure to scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, or C#
• Candidate must have a foundational understanding of electrical and computer engineering principles

• Candidate must have strong mathematical and analytical abilities
• Candidate must be proficient with Microsoft products (Office 365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Power BI, Access, SQL)
• Candidate must have excellent communication and documentation skills and strong attention to detail

• Candidate must have the right to work in the U.S. and not require current or future sponsorship

Preferred Requirements

• Coursework or interest related to AI/ML, data science, or intelligent automation
• Exposure to Python‑based data analysis or basic machine learning workflows
• Curiosity and initiative to explore emerging technologies in automotive validation

What You’ll Gain

• Real‑world experience in automotive embedded systems testing and validation
• Exposure to industry‑standard tools, processes, and safety‑focused engineering practices
• Hands‑on participation in AI‑enabled test strategy development, including next‑generation automation and intelligent validation workflows
• Mentorship from experienced engineers and opportunities to contribute to live production programs
• A collaborative, innovative environment with visibility into modern automotive software development lifecycles

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization. Do not apply for this role if you will need immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of Nexteer as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

Nexteer is an Equal Opportunity Employer Disabled/Minorities/Veterans/Women

Nexteer is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employees to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States.

Accessibility for Applicants with Disabilities: If you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please email careers@nexteer.com. Please provide your contact information and details about the posted position of interest. Only inquiries regarding assistance for those who need an accommodation with the online application process due to a disability will be returned.

About Nexteer

Nexteer Automotive is a global leader in advanced steering and motion control systems, enabling intuitive, safe, and comfortable mobility for drivers around the world. Our innovative product portfolio includes Electric Power Steering (EPS), Steer-by-Wire™, Driveline, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technologies that support electrification, software-defined vehicles, and autonomous driving.

With approximately 13,000 employees and operations in more than 20 manufacturing plants and multiple technical centers globally, Nexteer partners with nearly every major global and regional automotive manufacturer.

Employment Agencies 

Employment agencies are an important component of our talent acquisition strategy, and we value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. We will not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies for any employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Nexteer Automotive or directly to hiring managers in any form without a signed Nexteer Automotive Agency Agreement on file, and search engagement for that position, will be deemed unsolicited in nature, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired as a result of the referral or through other means. Additionally, any resume submitted without a contract in place will be considered Nexteer Automotive property and no fees will be paid to the agency if the candidate is hired. 

Please note, agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by a member of Nexteer’s Human Resources team.  No other Nexteer employee is authorized to bind Nexteer to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by an agency.