The Role
Vehicle Dynamics Performance Engineer has responsibility for the development and tuning of the Vehicle Dynamics for a given vehicle or vehicle platform. Vehicle Dynamics includes Vehicle Ride Tuning, Vehicle Handling Tuning, Chassis Controls Development, Steering Tuning/Calibration, Tire Development, etc. The Vehicle Dynamics Performance Engineer defines performance requirements and leads the tuning integration of the vehicle hardware.
What You'll Do
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Tune the vehicle ride and handling systems including damper and steering tuning to meet requirements.
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Develop tires to meet requirements including steering, ride quality, snow handling, dry handling, and wet handling evaluations.
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Design the vehicle development test plan and material to support it – calendar, events, milestones, test vehicles, locations, supplier scheduling, development parts, and demonstrations.
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Create and apply models to determine system performance and interactions analytically to guide hardware development as applicable.
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Set up vehicle measurement instrumentation and execute measurements as required during development to guide process. Interpret data. Measure vehicle as part of the validation of vehicle to requirements – both MVSS (federal) and global and internal.
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Accurately status vehicle dynamics performance to requirements and develop effective solutions to close gaps to VTS, Consumers Reports, warranty, customer satisfaction and magazine metrics.
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Effectively report results to Program Teams and Integration management and escalate issues for prompt resolution.
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Demonstrate vehicle performance of vehicle dynamics systems to management and media
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Effectively participate in program meetings, rides, and other events to ensure that vehicle dynamics requirements are satisfied.
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Initiate documents to provide engineering authority for design group and suppliers to execute design.
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Work with engineering functions, suppliers, plant personnel and others to implement cost reduction, methods, and product improvements, and to support build programs
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Support assembly plant at start of production as required
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Supports ride evaluation trips and demonstrations.
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Exchanges information with others as needed to work across architectures
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Travel as required to GM & outside test facilities including but not limited to DPG, Northern Michigan, & customer test facilities (Army bases, NATC, Aberdeen, Yuma, etc.).
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This work varies at different phases of the development program as a vehicle is taken from initial concept and planning through prototype development and final buy-off and start of production at the assembly plant.
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
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Bachelor in Engineering, Technology, Applied Physics, or related technical or science disciplines
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5+ years of experience in design/development/analysis/test of chassis subsystems; suspensions, steering systems, tires, brakes, powertrain mounting as applied to the development of vehicle level dynamic performance
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Must be experienced in subjective evaluation skills with the ability to accurately rate vehicle ride, handling, steering, stability, and acceleration/deceleration performance characteristics to set targets and status performance
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Experienced in synthesizing new suspension, steering, tire/wheel, structures, and control system designs to meet vehicle level performance requirements and driving performance driven requirements into the sourcing documents
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Knowledgeable in the use of Vehicle Dynamics analysis tools and procedures to set requirements and make coarse balance decisions. Capability to use analysis to support the development of design recommendations
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Understanding of tire mechanics, vehicle dynamics, testing and development practices to achieve balanced vehicle level performance
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Must be willing to be flexible & take on tasks outside of templated job responsibilities
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Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee)
What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
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MS in Engineering
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In depth knowledge of Truck vehicle integration, Military Ground wheel vehicle knowledge
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Experience on military or government projects
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Experience in both advanced and execution phases of vehicle dynamics development
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Previous experience in other vehicle performance areas (noise & vibration, chassis hardware development, thermal development, etc.)
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