Thermal Systems Test Engineer - Palo Alto, United States - Ford Motor Company

Description

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. We also believe in providing you with the freedom to define and realize your dreams With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career potential as you help us define tomorrow's transportation.

Ford EV Digital Development is responsible for developing the key technologies and capabilities – such as EV platforms, batteries, e-motors, inverters, charging and recycling – to create ground-up, breakthrough electric vehicles. By joining the best software, engineering, design and UX talent, you will be a part of creating new technologies and concepts that can be applied across the Ford enterprise. Being on the Ford EV D&D team means building the future as Ford's center of innovation and growth through electric and connected vehicles and services.

Thermal systems spans a diverse range of critical customer-facing attributes, hardware, and software domains. For example, our work keeps occupants comfortable, enables full vehicle powertrain capability, and empowers battery fast charging – in all weather conditions. We strive to balance heating/cooling performance, energy consumption, cost, reliability, NVH and packaging trade-offs through physics-driven, cross-functional engineering collaboration. We work closely with mechanical engineers, aerodynamicists, battery and powertrain experts, electrical engineers, embedded/controls engineers, and more through all phases of vehicle development. Your role: build and apply world-class engineering buck and vehicle testing tools to shape next generation thermal systems for electric vehicles. Deeply integrate testing into our design process; this is not a downstream check the box role. Use your domain knowledge to propose product and/or controls improvements.

What you'll be able to do:

• Design and build thermal test assets spanning a range of size, scope and complexity: this could range from a simple coolant bench test to characterize a valve, to a partially completed refrigeration system with coolant and air loops, to a fully instrumented vehicle.
• Automate / script HIL testers that can replicate boundary conditions, loads etc. felt by a thermal system across a wide range of possible scenarios.
• Work with modeling engineers to validate predictions – propose tests based on prediction weaknesses, learn how to run the models themselves.
• Collaborate closely with controls engineers to validate the SW and propose improvements.
• Work closely with test and integration engineers to debug control algorithms at the bench and vehicle level.
• Lead engineering test fleets – these may consist of bucks and/or vehicles.
• Plan critical test campaigns – both at the wind tunnel and in the field.

Minimum Requirements:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Foundational background in thermal systems (heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics).
• 4+ years of experience using modeling tools of various scales (GT, Python, MATLAB/Simulink, Dymola, TAITherm or similar).
• Experience with basic programming best practices (e.g., readable, re-usable code).
• Experience working with high voltage powertrain and thermal systems
• Experience diagnosing and repairing HVAC components and systems
• Safe management of glycol, AC refrigerant, and oil-based liquids and gases
• Knowledge of thermal and fluid measurement sensor installation and calibration
• Experience with data acquisition systems and related sensors
• Can interpret and create wiring diagrams for test fixture construction

Preferred Requirements:

• Graduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on thermal engineering or energy systems.
• Real-world product development experience using tests to design, validate and continuously improve a thermal system used by customers every day.
• Deep experience with refrigeration systems (compressors, heat exchangers, valves, sensors, charge and oil management) applied to automotive products.
• Deep experience with HVAC design (hardware, control strategies, energy flows within the cabin, glass properties).
• Experience modeling non-linear flow/energy circuits with first principles.
• Familiarity with battery, motor/inverter and electronics thermal/electrical models.
• Familiarity using 3D CAD software collaboratively (NX, Catia, 3DX).
• Proficiency using collaborative work tracking tools such as JIRA, Confluence and GitHub
• Testing/laboratory experience with refrigeration loops, coolant and air circuits.
• An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment where you are part of a high performing team.
• A system approach to design and development with the desire and curiosity to strive for exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement.
• Experience with controls methods for automotive thermal systems

What you'll receive in return:

As part of the Ford family, you'll enjoy excellent compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings and stock investment plans, incentive compensation and much more. You'll also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.

If you have what it takes to help us redefine the future of mobility, we'd love to have you join us.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status.

Salary & Benefits;

Requisition ID : 28507