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Powertrain Control Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We're looking for a Powertrain Manufacturing Engineer who is experienced with electric motors and ... Strong foundation in GD&T and statistical process control (SPC) . * Demonstrated ability to use ...

We're looking for a Powertrain Manufacturing Engineer who is experienced with electric motors and ... Strong foundation in GD&T and statistical process control (SPC) . * Demonstrated ability to use ...

Ensure the powertrain, powertrain components, assemblies, and systems meet design, quality, safety ... Experience with APQP - creating Control Plans, PPAPs, DFM, MSAs, PFMEAs, DFMEAs, and SPC

Verify product quality against engineering specifications, drawings, work instructions, and quality ... Basic mechanical knowledge of vehicle systems (braking systems, chassis, electric powertrain, etc.

Sr. Product Quality Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$126K - $150K/yr

Ensure the powertrain, powertrain components, assemblies, and systems meet design, quality, safety ... Experience with APQP - creating Control Plans, PPAPs, DFM, MSAs, PFMEAs, DFMEAs, and SPC

Showing results 41-60

Powertrain Control Engineer information

What does a powertrain control engineer do?

A Powertrain Control Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and calibrating the electronic control systems that manage a vehicle's powertrain, which includes the engine, transmission, and related components. They work to optimize performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions by developing control algorithms and software. These engineers often use simulation tools and testing procedures to ensure that vehicles meet regulatory standards and customer expectations. Their role is crucial in the development of modern vehicles, especially as automotive technology moves toward electrification and advanced driver assistance systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a powertrain control engineer?

To thrive as a Powertrain Control Engineer, you need expertise in automotive engineering, control systems, and embedded software development, typically supported by a degree in mechanical, electrical, or automotive engineering. Familiarity with tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, CANalyzer, and experience with calibration software or automotive control units is commonly required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and address complex technical challenges. These abilities are crucial for developing efficient, reliable powertrain systems that meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards.

What are some typical challenges faced by powertrain control engineers when integrating new technologies into existing vehicle platforms?

Powertrain Control Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new technologies, such as electric or hybrid systems, into established vehicle platforms. These challenges include ensuring compatibility between new control algorithms and legacy hardware, meeting stringent emissions and performance standards, and managing complex calibration processes. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including software developers, mechanical engineers, and testing specialists, is essential to address these hurdles. Staying up-to-date with evolving automotive standards and leveraging simulation tools can also help mitigate integration risks.

What is the difference between Powertrain Control Engineer vs Automotive Software Engineer?

AspectPowertrain Control EngineerAutomotive Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automotive Engineering; experience with control systemsBachelor's or Master's in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering; programming skills
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing engine control units, working in automotive R&D labsDeveloping embedded software, coding, and testing in automotive or tech companies
Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturing, OEMs, Tier 1 suppliersAutomotive industry, tech firms, suppliers

Powertrain Control Engineers focus on designing and optimizing engine and transmission control systems, while Automotive Software Engineers develop embedded software for vehicle systems. Both roles require technical skills and work within the automotive industry, but their core responsibilities differ in hardware versus software development.

What are the most commonly searched types of Powertrain Control Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Powertrain Control Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Powertrain Control Engineer jobs in California?

For Powertrain Control Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Powertrain Control Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Powertrain Control Engineer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Powertrain Control Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Senior Powertrain Structures Design Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Palo Alto, CA • Hybrid

$115K - $232K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Ford Motor Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 527 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 45 rated automakers


Job description

We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.


Ford's Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company's vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You'll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

In this position...
The Powertrain Structures Design Engineer will be responsible for power unit case housing and structures design. This engineer will drive part placement and power unit architecture from concept phase thru part analysis, optimization, DFM, and eventually production. You will integrate, analyze, and iterate the powertrain components both internally and in vehicle package.

You'll have...

Bachelor's or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

5+ year track record of detailed mechanical design and manufacturing execution of precision machinery.
Fundamental understanding of high pressure die casting, mold flow, case fatigue, topology optimization theory.
Knowledge of high-volume manufacturing processes, materials, and supply chains.
Strong engineering fundamentals in the areas of materials, mechanics, dynamics, design for manufacturability, tolerancing, high precision metrology, process control, statistics.
Experience with 3D CAD and 2D drafting skills.

Even better, you may have...
Hands-on experience building and launching automotive products.
Cad experience using 3DX or CATIA V5/V6.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience using Confluence, Jira, Asana, or other project management tools.
An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment where you are part of a high performing team.
A system approach to design and development with the desire and curiosity to strive for exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement.
Experience in high pressure die cast design work.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
 

This position is a salary grade 7-8 and ranges from $115,800-$232,700. 
 

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR

Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-JD2 #UEV

What you'll do...

Define durability and duty cycle requirements.
Work with CAE support to topology optimize housings, mounts and other structures.
Investigate exploratory materials and composites.
Cost optimization with vehicle bounties.
Create robust designs for automotive applications and for automated mass manufacturing.
Contribute to design reviews and requirements reviews to further optimize the powertrain system cross functionally.
Support presentations of concepts and status to senior management and internally to company personnel.
Drive powertrain innovations of future technologies that provide benefit to the product; both short- and long-term roadmap items.
Perform rapid calculations and mechanical layout iterations in CAD in order to validate assumptions and funnel design concepts down.
Generate and maintain detailed 3D CAD of entire power unit assemblies and production drawings. Foster good CAD practices.
Aid prototype power unit builds and drive development and validation testing campaigns.
Manage subcomponent interfaces and related workstreams/requirements, including all power unit tolerance analysis.
Collaborate closely with powertrain modeling, NVH, controls, and test engineering functions.
Lead key design reviews and visualization or demonstration activities.


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