Ride Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

At Scout Motors, you don't just design vehicles- you shape the future of the road. Our Engineering team is where bold ideas meet rigorous execution, building machines that are as durable and capable as the people who drive them. You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with brilliant minds across disciplines, turning complex challenges into elegant, scalable solutions that meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and user experience. This is a place where your fingerprints are found on metal - where what you design gets built, driven, and remembered. If you're hungry to engineer something that matters, Scout Motors is where that ambition finds its highest gear. 

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

Virtual Development & Correlation (MBS) 

• Develop and utilize multi-body simulation (MBS) models (e.g., Adams, CarSim, or equivalent) to represent vehicle ride behavior (primary & secondary ride).  
• Correlate simulation results with physical test data to ensure alignment between virtual and real-world ride comfort performance.  
• Support model tuning, validation, and parameter identification based on measurement data and simulation results. 
• Enable frontloading of ride comfort development through predictive simulation and scenario studies.  
• Collaborate with simulation and CAE teams to continuously improve model fidelity and robustness. 

Vehicle ride comfort objectivation 

• Own the end-to-end ride comfort objectivation process, from instrumentation concept through testing, analysis, and target definition.  
• Define and implement vehicle instrumentation strategies for ride comfort measurement, including accelerometers, gyros, displacement sensors, seat rail sensors, steering inputs, and wheel force transducers.  
• Specify sensor layouts, orientations, sampling strategies, and validation methods to ensure high-quality, repeatable data.  
• Plan and execute ride comfort testing campaigns at proving grounds using development vehicles, mules, and benchmark competitor vehicles.  
• Conduct standardized ride events (e.g., cobblestones, rough roads, impacts, highway profiles) with strict control of boundary conditions and repeatability.  
• Lead data acquisition and validation activities, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and traceability of test data.  
• Analyze measurement data using time-domain and frequency-domain methods (RMS, PSD, ISO weighting, shock response, etc.).  
• Develop and apply objective ride comfort metrics at vehicle, body, and seat level, including correlation to subjective assessments.  
• Identify ride comfort strengths, weaknesses, and differentiation opportunities across vehicles.  
• Conduct competitive benchmarking and derive clear positioning versus key competitors.  
• Define and propose quantitative ride comfort targets aligned with vehicle character and brand positioning.  
• Work closely with chassis, ride tuning, NVH, tires, body, and vehicle integration teams to translate results into actionable engineering direction.  
• Create clear technical reports, dashboards, and presentations to communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.  
• Support development of internal standards, objectivation methodologies, and best practices for ride comfort evaluation. 

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in Novi, Michigan.  
• This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events. 
• Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.

We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You'll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You'll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring: 

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field. 
• 8+ years of experience in ride comfort, vehicle dynamics, chassis development, or vehicle testing within OEM or Tier 1 environments. 
• Strong understanding of ride comfort fundamentals, vibration theory, and vehicle dynamics. 
• Hands-on experience with vehicle instrumentation, proving ground testing, and data acquisition systems. 
• Proficiency with measurement and analysis tools such as CANape, INCA, Diadem, MATLAB, Python, or similar. 
• Solid experience analyzing time-series measurement data and applying standardized comfort metrics. 
• Strong experience with multi-body simulation tools (e.g., Adams, CarSim, Simpack, or equivalent). 
• Proven ability to correlate simulation models with physical test data and improve model accuracy. 
• Understanding of suspension kinematics, compliances, and system behavior in virtual environments. 
• Experience integrating simulation into development workflows for ride comfort and vehicle dynamics. 

The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up.  This is a chance to create something new and lasting - with an iconic brand at its foundation.  In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:

• Competitive insurance including:
  • Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
• 401(k) program with:
  • An employer match and immediate vesting
• Generous Paid Time Off including:
  • 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
  • 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
  • Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
  • Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave

This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.

Initial base salary range =  $130,000.00 - $160,000.00

Internal leveling code: IC8