System Engineer Phd Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

What you will do:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong technical capability and engineering foresight, with the ability to lead complex development programs and portfolios focused on solving highly ambiguous and technically challenging problems. This role defines investigation strategies, including establishing supporting initiatives and identifying the appropriate teams and resources required for success. The individual provides technical oversight across multiple programs and development efforts while working closely with cross-functional partners to drive alignment, collaboration, and the successful adoption of designs and solutions across the organization. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
How you will do it:
• Lead and advise cross program System Teams to review and negotiate customer specifications, industry standards, regulatory standards and internal design guidelines to establish product system requirements.
• Guide across program System Teams in validation planning activities in accordance with automotive functional safety and ASPICE processes.
• Develop System Processes with interaction with interacting Stakeholders to be compliant to ISO26262 and ASPICE processes.
• Identify System Process gaps and lead System team for process improvement • Guide Workgroups to collect, analyze, and cascade the system requirements. • Lead Teams for optimization of requirements and parameter definition processes
• Guide cross program to analyze performance and design constraint requirements
• Define the system architecture, including sizing and cell selection based on core product portfolio using model-based systems engineering methods.
• Guide cross program System Teams requirements cascading to engineering disciplines and subsystems
• Lead analyzing limiting requirements to all functional levels
• Define system architecture with interfaces of components and engineering disciplines
• Review the system level DFMEA and lead the coordinating with other sub-systems and component FMEAs.
• Approve specifications and design of all battery components - mechanical, electrical, software, and electronics.
• Develop relationships with suppliers to help generate component specifications and lead the make vs. buy analysis in conjunction with functional groups.
• Approver of system work packages and test results in support of design verification.
• Approver of engineering documentation to ensure a sensible archive of information including engineering calculations, engineering drawings, intellectual property, DFMEAs, validation reports, meeting minutes, trip reports, and customer documents/communication.
• Provides technical leadership on assigned project teams and tasks with other engineering disciplines.
What we look for:
Required:
• Bachelor's degree in related field with extensive industry experience (15+ years)
Preferred:
• Master's degree in related field with extensive industry experience
• PhD from a technically rigorous program and institution
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What you get:

• Medical, dental and vision care coverage and a 401(k) savings plan with company matching - all starting on date of hire
• Tuition reimbursement, perks, and discounts
• Parental and caregiver leave programs
• All the usual benefits such as paid time off, flexible spending, short-and long-term disability, basic life insurance, business travel insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
• Global market strength and worldwide market share leadership
• HQ location earns LEED certification for sustainability plus a full-service cafeteria and workout facility
• Clarios has been recognized as one of 2026's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This prestigious recognition marks the fourth consecutive year Clarios has received this distinction.

Who we are:
Clarios is the force behind the world's most recognizable car battery brands, powering vehicles from leading automakers like Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. With 18,000 employees worldwide, we develop, manufacture, and distribute energy storage solutions while recovering, recycling, and reusing up to 99% of battery materials-setting the standard for sustainability in our industry. At Clarios, we're not just making batteries; we're shaping the future of sustainable transportation. Join our mission to innovate, push boundaries, and make a real impact. Discover your potential at Clarios-where your power meets endless possibilities.
Veterans/Military Spouses:
We value the leadership, adaptability, and technical expertise developed through military service. At Clarios, those capabilities thrive in an environment built on grit, ingenuity, and passion-where you can grow your career while helping to power progress worldwide. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please apply. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to challenging the status quo. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran or other protected characteristics protected by law. As a federal contractor, we are committed to not discriminating against any applicant or employee based on these protected statuses. We will also take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process by emailing Special.Accommodations@Clarios.com. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity in our teams in terms of work experience, area of expertise, and all characteristics protected by laws in the countries where we operate. For more information on our commitment to sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunity, please read our latest report. We want you to know your rights because EEO is the law.
A Note to Job Applicants: please be aware of scams being perpetrated through the Internet and social media platforms. Clarios will never require a job applicant to pay money as part of the application or hiring process.
To All Recruitment Agencies: Clarios does not accept unsolicited agency resumes/CVs. Please do not forward resumes/CVs to our careers email addresses, Clarios employees or any other company location. Clarios is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/CVs.