The Qualification Testing (ICE and BEV) team operates within the Vehicle & Propulsion Controls organization and is responsible for ensuring software readiness and validation integrity across all propulsion programs.
The Validation Project Lead is accountable for defining and executing the qualification strategy, ensuring complete validation coverage, traceability, and release readiness for powertrain control systems. This role coordinates cross-functional activities spanning Controls, Diagnostics, Calibration, and Validation to identify and mitigate technical risks prior to fleet and production release.
The ideal candidate brings strong technical leadership, system-level understanding of propulsion controls, and the ability to drive execution in a fast-paced, multi-program environment. This position plays a critical role in delivering robust, compliant, and production-ready software for both electrified and ICE powertrains.
Key Responsibilities:- Define and own Design Verification Plans (DVPs) for propulsion system requirements, ensuring complete validation coverage and alignment with program and release objectives.
- Lead validation strategy across ICE and BEV propulsion systems, including identification of critical scenarios, edge-case maneuvers, and risk-based test prioritization.
- Evaluate and refine system and software requirements to ensure testability, completeness, and alignment with validation intent.
- Determine and coordinate appropriate validation environments (HIL, vehicle, bench) to optimize coverage, efficiency, and issue detection.
- Drive issue identification and pre-analysis activities, enabling rapid root cause isolation and resolution in collaboration with Controls, Diagnostics, and Calibration teams.
- Ensure execution of qualification testing and validation activities, maintaining alignment with release readiness, quality targets, and program timelines.
- Provide visibility to validation status, risks, and coverage across propulsion programs, supporting data-driven release decisions.
Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field
- 8+ years of experience in powertrain controls validation, verification, or embedded systems development
- Experience developing and executing Design Verification Plans (DVPs) for propulsion or automotive systems
- Strong understanding of propulsion systems (ICE and/or BEV), including sensors, actuators, and control strategies
- Experience with HIL and vehicle testing environments, including test execution and issue investigation
- Proven ability to perform root cause analysis and support issue resolution
- Experience working in a cross-functional engineering environment (e.g., Controls, Calibration, Diagnostics)
- Strong communication skills and ability to report test results and validation status
Preferred Qualifications: - Master of Science in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, or System Engineering from an ABET accredited university
- Experience leading or owning validation strategy and DVP development across programs or platforms
- Strong system-level understanding of both ICE and BEV propulsion architecture
- Experience selecting and optimizing validation environments (HIL, vehicle, SIL) based on test objectives
- Knowledge of OBD diagnostics, DTC strategies, and regulatory requirements (e.g., SAE J1979, J1699)
- Familiarity with functional safety (ISO 26262) and safety-related validation requirements
- Experience identifying and validating edge-case scenarios and failure modes in complex systems
- Demonstrated ability to drive issue resolution across teams and influence technical decisions
- Experience with ALM tools (e.g., DNG, Quality Manager) and requirements/test traceability
- Ability to assess and communicate validation coverage, technical risk, and release readiness
- Experience working in a multi-program, fast-paced development environment with competing priorities
