ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Founding Data Engineer Jobs in Dearborn, MI (NOW HIRING)

Blue Bird

Sr. Controls & Calibration Engineer

Troy, MI · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927 ... Data Acquisition & Analysis: Utilize advanced data acquisition and calibration tools to diagnose ...

May Mobility

Senior Systems Engineer II

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site +1

$102K - $139K/yr

Since our founding in 2017, we've given more than 500,000 autonomous rides to real people around ... Job Summary We are seeking an experienced and data-driven Senior Systems Engineer II to lead the ...

Pantera Capital

Senior Systems Engineer II

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Since our founding in 2017, we've given more than 500,000 autonomous rides to real people around ... The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of systems engineering, automated testing, data ...

New

Pantera Capital

Autonomy Release Engineer II

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$98 - $140/hr

Since our founding in 2017, we've given more than 300,000 autonomy‑enabled rides to real people ... Analyze testing data to assist in Autonomy software development * Aid in early autonomy software ...

Blue Bird

Senior Product Costing Engineer

Troy, MI

BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927 ... decisions by providing data-driven cost analyses, technical trade studies, and design ...

Blue Bird

Senior Product Costing Engineer

Troy, MI · On-site

BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927 ... decisions by providing data-driven cost analyses, technical trade studies, and design ...

Alps Automotive

Engineer-Electrical

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

... its founding in 1948. The Alps Alpine Group currently operates 110 bases in 26 countries and ... Those offerings include devices such as switches, sensors, data communication modules, touch input ...

ALPS ALPINE

Engineer-Electrical

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

... its founding in 1948. The Alps Alpine Group currently operates 110 bases in 26 countries and ... Those offerings include devices such as switches, sensors, data communication modules, touch input ...

Blue Bird

Senior Product Configuration

Troy, MI · On-site

BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927 ... Maintain alignment between engineering data, PLM systems, ERP systems, manufacturing execution ...

Blue Bird

Senior Product Configuration

Troy, MI · On-site

BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927 ... Maintain alignment between engineering data, PLM systems, ERP systems, manufacturing execution ...

Alps Alpine Co.

Sr. Engineer-Mechanical

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$110 - $160/hr

... its founding in 1948. The Alps Alpine Group currently operates 110 bases in 26 countries and ... Those offerings include devices such as switches, sensors, data communication modules, touch input ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsFounding Data Engineer JobsFounding Data Engineer Jobs in Dearborn, MI

Founding Data Engineer information

See Dearborn, MI salary details

$40.9K

$119.2K

$163.1K

How much do founding data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for founding data engineer in Dearborn, MI is $119,172.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,200.00 and $126,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a founding data engineer?

Founding Data Engineers are among the first technical hires at a startup, responsible for designing, building, and scaling the company's data infrastructure from the ground up. They work closely with founders and early team members to define data architecture, set up data pipelines, and ensure data quality and accessibility for product development and business insights. This role often requires a blend of software engineering, data modeling, and strategic decision-making skills, as well as the flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing priorities in a startup environment.

What are the unique challenges and opportunities of being a founding data engineer at an early-stage startup?

As a Founding Data Engineer, you'll face the challenge of building data infrastructure from scratch, often with limited resources and evolving requirements. You’ll work closely with founders and cross-functional teams to define data strategies, implement pipelines, and ensure data quality. This role offers significant influence over technical decisions and architecture, and you'll likely wear multiple hats, contributing to both backend engineering and data analytics. The fast-paced environment fosters rapid skill development and provides substantial opportunities for career growth as the company scales.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a founding data engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Founding Data Engineer, you need strong expertise in data architecture, database design, and software engineering, often backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with cloud platforms (like AWS or GCP), ETL frameworks, programming languages (such as Python or Scala), and data warehousing tools is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration skills set standout candidates apart in this role. These abilities are crucial for building scalable data systems and shaping the technical foundation of an early-stage company.

What is the difference between Founding Data Engineer vs Data Engineer?

AspectFounding Data EngineerData Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS, experience in startup environmentsBachelor's or higher in CS, relevant data tools experience
Work EnvironmentEarly-stage startups, high flexibility, broad responsibilitiesEstablished companies, specialized roles, structured teams
Employer & Industry UsageFounding teams, startups, tech companiesTech firms, finance, healthcare, large organizations
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding startup data roles, early-stage responsibilitiesStandard data engineering roles, career progression

The main difference between a Founding Data Engineer and a Data Engineer lies in their work environment and responsibilities. Founding Data Engineers typically work in startups, handling broad tasks and building data infrastructure from scratch, while Data Engineers in established companies focus on specific data pipelines within structured teams. Both roles require similar technical skills and educational backgrounds, but their scope and context differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Founding Data Engineer jobs in Dearborn, MI?

For Founding Data Engineer jobs in Dearborn, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Founding Data Engineer jobs in Dearborn, MI look for?

The top searched job categories for Founding Data Engineer jobs in Dearborn, MI are:

Founding Data Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Founding Data Engineer job openings in Dearborn, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,172 per year, or $57.3 per hour.

Sr. Controls & Calibration Engineer

Blue Bird

Troy, MI • On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world - 25 million children twice a day - making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird's complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Controls & Calibration Engineer is responsible for developing, calibrating, validating, and optimizing vehicle control strategies that define the performance, drivability, efficiency, diagnostics, and operational behavior of next-generation commercial vehicle platforms. Working across multiple propulsion systems, this role develops production-ready control calibrations for propulsion, braking, thermal management, charging, power management, and vehicle operating modes while ensuring seamless integration with electrical architectures, software systems, and vehicle-level requirements.
The role partners closely with the Systems, Validation engineering teams and external engineering partners to ensure control strategies deliver robust real-world performance from prototype development through production launch.
This is a high-impact technical leadership role for someone who enjoys solving complex vehicle behavior challenges, thrives in ambiguity, and wants meaningful ownership over how an entire vehicle platform performs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Vehicle Controls Strategy: Develop and optimize vehicle control strategies supporting propulsion performance, drivability, energy management, thermal management, regenerative braking, diagnostics, and vehicle operating modes.
  • Calibration Development: Develop, calibrate, and validate production-ready control datasets for diesel, hybrid, electric, and alternative propulsion systems.
  • Drivability Optimization: Optimize vehicle launch performance, acceleration, torque delivery, shift quality, regenerative braking, idle behavior, thermal transitions, and overall vehicle refinement.
  • Vehicle Testing & Validation: Plan and execute calibration development activities across proving grounds, chassis dynamometers, manufacturing environments, prototype vehicles, and public road testing.
  • Controls Integration: Work closely with electrical architecture, propulsion integration, validation, and systems engineering teams to integrate ECUs, sensors, actuators, communication networks, and software controls.
  • Data Acquisition & Analysis: Utilize advanced data acquisition and calibration tools to diagnose control system behavior, identify performance opportunities, and resolve complex software and vehicle integration issues.
  • Supplier & External Engineering Leadership: Provide technical direction to suppliers and external engineering partners supporting controls software, calibration development, ECU integration, and validation activities while maintaining ownership of final calibration quality and vehicle performance.
  • Software Release Management: Manage calibration revisions, software releases, configuration control, and production-ready datasets supporting prototype, validation, manufacturing, and production programs.
  • Compliance & Functional Performance: Ensure vehicle control strategies meet emissions, safety, diagnostics, cybersecurity, and applicable commercial vehicle regulatory requirements.
  • Launch & Production Support: Support prototype builds, validation testing, manufacturing launch, and early production by rapidly resolving controls-related issues and optimizing vehicle performance.
  • Operate in Ambiguity: Create structure and drive execution in environments where vehicle architectures, software, propulsion technologies, and performance requirements evolve simultaneously.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
  • Deep understanding of vehicle controls, calibration development, and software integration
  • Expertise with Vector CANape, ETAS INCA, MATLAB/Simulink, CANalyzer, CANoe, or equivalent calibration and diagnostic tools
  • Strong understanding of CAN, J1939, UDS diagnostics, and vehicle communication networks
  • Experience developing production vehicle calibration strategies across propulsion, braking, thermal management, and energy management systems
  • Experience with battery management systems (BMS), electric propulsion controls, hybrid systems, or conventional diesel powertrain controls
  • Strong understanding of model-based controls development and calibration methodologies
  • Experience analyzing complex vehicle data and diagnosing software, controls, and integration issues
  • Experience supporting prototype development, validation, production launch, and field issue resolution
  • Ability to provide technical leadership across engineering teams, suppliers, and outsourced engineering organizations
  • Strong analytical, communication, and technical decision-making skills

BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or related engineering discipline
  • 7+ years of experience developing production vehicle controls, calibration strategies, or propulsion software for automotive, commercial vehicle, or heavy-duty vehicle platforms
  • All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
  • Demonstrated experience developing and releasing production vehicle calibrations supporting prototype development, validation, manufacturing launch, and production
  • Experience integrating ECUs, propulsion systems, electrical architectures, diagnostics, and communication networks
  • Experience working cross-functionally with systems engineering, propulsion integration, electrical architecture, validation, manufacturing, suppliers, and external engineering organizations
  • Experience with commercial vehicles, body-on-chassis platforms, or vocational vehicle applications
  • Experience with AUTOSAR, model-based development, and software-in-the-loop (SIL) or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation
  • Experience supporting fast-paced product development or clean-sheet vehicle programs
  • Experience leading supplier calibration activities or outsourced controls development
  • Master's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO
  • Takes ownership of complex vehicle behavior and controls challenges and drives them to resolution
  • Thrives in ambiguity and enjoys developing new control strategies from a clean sheet
  • Operates with urgency while maintaining strong engineering judgment
  • Thinks in systems and understands how software influences complete vehicle performance
  • Can balance vehicle performance, energy efficiency, emissions, diagnostics, durability, and customer experience
  • Can influence technical direction across cross-functional engineering teams, suppliers, and external engineering partners without direct authority
  • Wants meaningful ownership over how next-generation commercial vehicles perform in the real world

INCLUDES
  • Continued Professional Development
  • Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching

WORK CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Office environment and production environment
  • Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
  • Fast-paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal
  • Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
  • You must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
  • Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
  • Frequent communication with people throughout the day

*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.
All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.
#LI-Onsite
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply