Principal Research And Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan

Position: R&D Power Electronics Hardware Engineer  

At Nexteer, our strength lies in the diversity of our team-each member contributing unique backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations. We believe this diversity fuels our innovation, broadens our perspectives, and propels our collective growth.

For over a century, we've been innovators in the automotive industry.  Our vision is clear - we are a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our unwavering commitment to Quality, Collaboration, Integrity, and Accountability guides us as we solve motion control challenges for our global customers. If you're ready to join a dynamic team that drives change and makes a difference, Nexteer welcomes you! 

 

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative, hands-on engineer to join our Research & Development team focused on next-generation power electronics, embedded hardware, sensing technologies, and motion control systems.

This role is responsible for the research, development, analysis, prototyping, and validation of advanced electrical hardware technologies that support future product roadmaps and emerging applications. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of innovative solutions spanning power conversion, motor control, sensing, embedded electronics, and advanced control hardware architectures.

The ideal candidate combines strong theoretical understanding with practical hardware development experience and is passionate about exploring new technologies such as wide-bandgap semiconductors, advanced converter and inverter topologies, intelligent power management, and highly integrated electronic systems.

Key Responsibilities

As an R&D Power Electronics Hardware Engineer, you will be responsible to:

• Research, develop, and validate advanced electrical hardware technologies for motion control and electromechanical systems.
• Design, analyze, and optimize analog, digital, mixed-signal, sensing, and power electronic circuits.
• Develop schematic designs and support PCB layout activities for embedded and power electronic systems.
• Evaluate and apply emerging technologies including wide-bandgap semiconductors (GaN), advanced power conversion architectures, and multilevel inverter topologies.
• Build, test, troubleshoot, and validate hardware prototypes in laboratory and vehicle environments.
• Lead or participate in design reviews, technical assessments, and DFMEA activities.
• Collaborate with systems, controls, software, mechanical, manufacturing, and validation teams throughout the technology development process.
• Document hardware designs, analyses, test results, and technical recommendations.
• Interface with suppliers, industry partners, and research organizations to evaluate and leverage emerging technologies.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience
• Strong understanding of electrical circuit design, analysis, simulation, and troubleshooting.
• Experience developing analog, digital, mixed-signal, and power electronic circuits.
• Knowledge of power electronics fundamentals, switching converters, motor control electronics, and power semiconductor devices.
• Experience with electrical design and simulation tools such as OrCAD, PSpice, PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with PCB design and layout methodologies using Mentor Graphics/Xpedition or equivalent PCB development tools.
• Understanding of PCB design considerations including signal integrity, power distribution, thermal management, and EMI/EMC mitigation.
• Hands-on experience using laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters, function generators, logic analyzers, and electronic loads.
• Strong hardware debugging, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to document designs, test results, technical reports, and validation activities.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PCB layout design using Mentor Graphics Xpedition.
• Experience with wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies including GaN and SiC devices.
• Knowledge of advanced power conversion architectures, including multilevel inverter topologies, high-frequency switching systems, and high power-density designs.
• Experience with automotive, robotics, or motion control applications.
• Working knowledge of CAN, CAN FD, CAN XL communications, Automotive Ethernet (10BASE-T1S/100BASE-T1), and embedded control systems.
• Experience with LabVIEW and MATLAB/Simulink.
• Ability to read and understand embedded software written in C.
• Familiarity with automotive development processes, DFMEA, and design verification methodologies.

Education Requirements

• Masters degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering required
• PhD preferred

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.