Propulsion System Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a Associate Systems Modeling & Controls Engineer in the Strategic Transportation Education & Partnerships (STEP) Department to support the development and application of engineering systems modeling, simulation, controls analysis, and data-driven evaluation tools for the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition (AVTC) program. The selected candidate will contribute to research and development activities that apply engineering analysis from a systems perspective to advanced vehicle technologies, with emphasis on propulsion controls, modeling and simulation, software-enabled verification and validation, and vehicle systems data analysis.
The Associate Systems Modeling & Controls Engineer will also support the Propulsion Controls & Modeling swimlane of the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge, developing and applying computational tools, simulation methodologies, control-system workflows, test and validation approaches, and engineering data-analysis methods that enable rigorous and scalable evaluation of advanced vehicle systems. Working in close collaboration with internal external SMEs, university teams, OEM and supplier partners, and software/tool providers, the selected candidate will adapt production-oriented engineering methods into structured frameworks suitable for EcoCAR and other AVTCs. The selected candidate will help analyze system behavior and performance across vehicle subsystems and development stages, including model-based design activities, software and control-system development workflows, virtual and hardware-integrated testing environments, and data acquisition and post-processing methods for vehicle validation events. The position will also contribute to the development of technical guidance, analysis procedures, and training materials that support student learning and consistent engineering practice across participating teams.
Job Responsibilities:
Engineering Systems Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis:

• Support the deployment and use of model-based engineering environments, including Model-in-the-Loop (MIL), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) methodologies, to analyze system functionality, control logic, and performance.
• Analyze engineering system operation using vehicle, subsystem, and test-event data to assess performance, identify issues, and support technical decision-making.

Software, Verification, and Validation Frameworks:

• Support the development and application of software engineering and control-system verification methodologies, including requirements traceability, version control practices, automated testing, and verification and validation workflows.
• Contribute to structured frameworks for evaluating software and control-system implementation in a manner consistent with industry-relevant engineering practice.

Vehicle Data Systems and Technical Analysis:

• Manage, process, and analyze engineering data generated during competition and validation events to support system-level performance assessment and technical reporting.
• Contribute to the development of analysis tools, data structures, and reporting methods that improve consistency, usability, and scalability of technical evaluations.

Technical Integration and Collaboration:

• Collaborate with internal staff, OEM partners, software/tool vendors, and technical subject-matter experts to align modeling, controls, and analysis activities with vehicle platform constraints, program requirements, and engineering objectives.
• Support technical steering committees and working groups related to modeling, simulation, controls, software development, and vehicle testing.
• Coordinate assigned technical work with adjacent domains to promote consistency, technical rigor, and effective integration across the broader AVTC program.

Student Mentorship, Training, and Technical Guidance:

• Serve as a mentor and technical point of contact for student teams participating in the Propulsion Controls & Modeling swimlane.
• Develop and deliver training materials, technical guidance, and analysis-oriented instructional content related to modeling, simulation, controls development, software workflows, and engineering data analysis.
• Work with industry collaborators and technical partners to support delivery of domain-relevant tools, methods, and training resources.

Position Requirements

• Experience with vehicle serial communication protocols, especially CAN-HS/CAN-FD.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and GitHub.
• Experience with automotive data acquisition systems and data processing.
• Experience with gen AI tools such as Claude Code, Codex, ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.
• Knowledge of software development practices including CI/CD, automated testing, version control & GitHub
• Knowledge of vehicle modeling, simulation and analysis, MIL and HIL development tools.
• Knowledge of hybrid/electric vehicle control architecture, supervisory control, energy management, and torque control
• Knowledge of DOE Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions.
• Skill in leadership, time management and working as a team member.
• Skill in oral and written communications, including professional presentations and technical writing.
• Skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint computer software.
• Skill in interacting with external sponsors, including industrial professionals and government officials.
• A successful candidate must have the ability to model Argonne's Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
• This position requires onsite presence at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois.

The selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate level (RD2 or RD3) depending upon depth and breadth of relevant knowledge, skills, and experience brought to the position. The requirements for the desired levels are as follows:

• RD2 Level: Bachelor's and 5+ years; Master's and 3+ years.
• RD3 Level: Bachelor's and 8+ years; Master's Degree and 5+ years of experience or equivalent; Doctorate and 4+ years.

Job Family
Research Development (RD)
Job Profile
Eng Systems Modeling-Simulation-Analysis 2
Worker Type
Regular
Time Type
Full time
The expected hiring range for this position is $94,486.00 - $147,398.94.
Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.
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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.