Powertrain Design Engineer

Auto Mid-level (L4 equivalent) 2-5 years

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Tesla

Rivian

Lucid Motors

Ford

Waymo

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The job description

Tech stack. CAD (CATIA/NX/Creo), GT-SUITE, AVL Cruise, FEA (Abaqus/ANSYS), MATLAB/Simulink, transmission design references, dyno test equipment

About the role

You will join the powertrain team of an automaker designing the propulsion systems that move the vehicle: electric drive units, transmissions, and range-extender or hybrid systems. The team owns performance, efficiency, NVH, and durability from concept through production. This role matters because powertrain defines the driving experience and the efficiency numbers on the window sticker, and your designs balance torque, range, cost, and refinement in every trade. You will run 1D and 3D simulation loops that converge designs before any metal is cut, using dyno data to calibrate models until predictions match test within single-digit percentages. Your tolerance and stack-up work will protect gear mesh quality and bearing life across the full production spread, not just on nominal parts. You will also collaborate with controls engineers on shift and torque-blending strategies, since the best hardware still needs smart software to feel refined.

What you will achieve

Deliver e-drive or transmission designs meeting torque, efficiency, and NVH targets with first-pass dyno correlation within 5 percent of simulation
Cut powertrain system cost by 8 percent through component integration: combined inverter-gearbox housings, shared cooling circuits, and standardized interfaces
Own durability validation: dyno test plans covering 150k-mile equivalent life with zero critical failures at sign-off
Drive efficiency gains of 2 to 3 points through gear ratio optimization, bearing and seal loss reduction, and thermal management
Ship production-ready designs with manufacturing feasibility locked: casting, machining, and assembly processes validated with suppliers

What you will bring

Must-haves

2 to 5 years of experience in powertrain, e-drive, or transmission design roles
Strong mechanical design fundamentals: gears, bearings, shafts, housings, and lubrication systems
Proficiency with CAD and FEA for structural and thermal analysis of powertrain components
Working knowledge of electric machines (PMSM, induction) or ICE/hybrid systems as applicable to the role
Understanding of NVH principles: gear whine, electromagnetic noise, and torsional vibration mitigation
Experience with dyno testing: test planning, instrumentation, and data analysis
Familiarity with automotive quality tools: DFMEA, DVP&R, and tolerance analysis

Nice-to-haves

Experience with silicon carbide inverter integration or 800V architectures
Knowledge of transmission control strategies and shift quality calibration
Exposure to hydrogen or range-extender powertrain concepts
Background in motorsport or high-performance powertrain development