Ford Motor Company

Research Engineer- Fuel Cell Stack Modeling

Ford Motor Company$99K — $166K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. or M.S. in relevant engineering or science field.
  • 2+ years in fuel cell stack simulation (open-loop and closed-loop).
  • Solid understanding of fuel cell technology and electrochemistry principles.
  • Experience analyzing fuel cell test data (e.g. impedance spectroscopy).
  • 3+ years using MATLAB and Simulink for modeling.
  • Experience formulating transfer functions and developing simulations.
  • Proven troubleshooting skills with complex simulation models.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and optimize physical and electrochemical models for fuel cells.
  • Conduct engineering analysis to improve stack durability and inform design.
  • Create advanced simulations for fuel cell stacks to verify designs.
  • Develop software tools for simulated fuel cell testing.
  • Implement automation for analysis and testing processes.
  • Establish standardized methods to make simulation models scalable.
  • Analyze simulation data for accuracy against physical tests.

Benefits

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
  • Flexible family care and paid parental leave options.
  • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members.
  • Tuition assistance for further education.
  • Active employee resource groups for community engagement.
  • Generous paid holidays and community service time off.
Full Job Description
In this position... As a Research Engineer in Fuel Cell Stack Modeling, you will play a pivotal role in advancing Ford's clean energy vehicle technologies. You will design and execute high-fidelity simulations that capture the complex physics of automotive fuel cell stack operations. Working at the intersection of virtual simulation and physical testing, you will collaborate closely with hardware engineers, control systems teams, and external research partners. Your work will directly influence system-level design decisions, helping to mitigate stack stress factors, extend fuel cell lifetimes, and deliver scalable, production-ready green energy solutions. Responsibilities What you'll do... Model Development & Optimization: Develop and improve physical and electrochemical models to predict fuel cell stack performance, degradation, and internal operational states. Engineering Analysis: Conduct model-based engineering analysis to mitigate stack stress factors and improve lifetime durability, supporting key design decisions for fuel cell stacks, systems, and controls. Advanced Simulation: Create advanced simulations incorporating the physics of automotive fuel cell stack operation to develop and verify current and future system designs. Tool & Software Creation: Develop software toolsets for simulated fuel cell stacks to test against physical constraints and safe operational requirements. Automation: Implement automation processes for the analysis and testing of modeled fuel cell stacks. Scalability: Develop standardized processes, methods, and tools to make simulation models sharable and scalable across departments. Data Validation: Analyze and review simulation test data using real-time and post-processing tools to ensure tight correlation between virtual models and physical testing. Model Integration: Integrate fuel cell stack simulation models with other Ford models, including controls, larger powertrain systems, and full-vehicle simulations. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with hardware test engineers to design physical experiments, parameterize physics-based models, and troubleshoot complex system-level issues. Collaborate closely with other department teams, internal modelers, and external partners (such as universities and automotive suppliers). Documentation & Reporting: Create and maintain comprehensive simulation documentation (including requirements, procedures, plans, and reports), document simulation code, and publish technical papers or reports. Qualifications You'll have... B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field. Two or more years of experience with open-loop and closed-loop fuel cell stack simulation Demonstrated foundational knowledge of fuel cell technology, electrochemistry principles, and fuel cell system operations (academic or industry-based). Experience working with data from fuel cell testing (e.g. electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, etc.) Three or more years of experience using MATLAB and Simulink for component and system modeling. One or more years of experience formulating transfer functions and developing complex simulations. Proven experience in troubleshooting and solving complex simulation model errors. Demonstrated systems engineering mindset. Strong oral, visual, and written communication skills with a proven ability to document processes and simulation designs clearly. Even better, you may have... Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field. Specialized experience in modeling and methods for evaluating Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell degradation. Experience with high-fidelity simulation software such as Fluent, COMSOL, AVL Fire M, or other multiphysics CFD programs. Familiarity interfacing models with system simulation software such as AVL Cruise M, Simulink, or similar platforms. High level of expertise in programming and software development for model creation (e.g., MATLAB, C, Python, LabVIEW). Experience using distributed version control software such as Git / GitHub. You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply! As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including: • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases • Tuition assistance • Established and active employee resource groups • Paid time off for individual and team community service • A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day • Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200. Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value. For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-RR1

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company manufactures or distributes automobiles in addition to offering financial services. The company sells to dealerships for retail sales, and for sale to fleet customers, including commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Ford’s vehicle portfolio includes automobiles, buses, tractors, and trucks. Retail financing includes retail installment sale contracts for new and used vehicles, and direct financing leases for new vehicles to retail customers, government entities, daily rental car companies, and fleet customers. Finance receivables in the non-consumer portfolio include products offered to automotive dealers. Ford’s environmental initiatives include compressed natural gas, flexible fuel vehicles, electric drive vehicles, Hydrogen, PC power management, and so on. Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 and is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford Motor Company Careers

Join the dynamic team at Ford Motor Company, a global leader in automotive innovation and manufacturing. At Ford, we are committed to driving human progress by providing outstanding vehicles and mobility solutions. This is an exciting time to become part of our inclusive team, where job opportunities abound and growth is not just a possibility, but a promise.

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At Ford Motor Company, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our professionals are at the forefront of automotive technology, leading projects that redefine transportation and sustainability. With a culture rooted in continuous improvement and respect for all, Ford offers a workplace where leadership, diversity training, and innovation are part of everyday life.

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Ford’s commitment to excellence is why we are a leader in the automotive sector. We offer a variety of career paths, from engineering to marketing, all designed to foster professional and personal growth. Our team benefits from Ford’s commitment to professional development and networking opportunities, ensuring that every team member can reach their full potential.

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Engage in work that makes a difference. Ford Motor Company is pioneering developments in electrification, autonomous vehicles, and smart mobility solutions. Our team of over 190,000 employees worldwide is dedicated to crafting experiences that improve the way the world moves.

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Working at Ford means more than just having a job; it means being part of a global family. Our culture promotes teamwork, integrity, and respect—values that underpin everything we do. We believe in nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment where every employee can thrive.

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Learn more about Ford Motor Company
Size
183,000 employees
Market Cap
$44.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1903
5 Year Trend
-2.1%
Revenue
$127.1 billion
NASDAQ

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