At a Glance
- Tasks: Research and reverse engineer EVs to enhance driver behaviour and efficiency.
- Company: Join Lightfoot, a leader in vehicle compatibility and innovation.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with hands-on work and travel opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of vehicle technology.
- Qualifications: Strong programming skills and experience with vehicle systems required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
This role sits at the heart of Lightfoot's vehicle compatibility programme. The Vehicle Systems Engineer is responsible for acquiring, researching, and reverse engineering the latest EV and commercial vehicles to extract the key data that underpins Lightfoot's driver behaviour and efficiency platform, enabling full functionality of in-cab Lightfoot products. They will support these responsibilities through automating processes and tooling.
The role requires a methodical, proactive approach to building and maintaining a vehicle integration pipeline, delivering a growing portfolio of integrated vehicles. It also demands strong stakeholder relationships with vehicle OEMs, builders, and fleet operators. This role is remote; however, we ideally seek candidates based in or around the Birmingham area who can travel to vehicle suppliers, OEM partners, and customer fleet sites.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Vehicle Acquisition and Connectivity: Source and acquire target vehicles for integration based on the vehicle integration roadmap. Identify and access vehicle data through interfaces such as OBDII, proprietary connectors, inductive sensors, and direct vehicle loom access. Capture and log raw vehicle data in a structured and contextualised format enabling analysis and simulation. Decode and map signals to derive meaningful parameters such as speed, battery state, torque, and fault codes. Document integrations for usage by Field Installation Engineers and customer self-installers.
- Automation and Tooling: Optimise integration processes through automation and enhanced tooling. Own and continually improve vehicle data simulator(s) for process optimisation and integration testing.
- Delivery Pipeline and Roadmap: Drive a high cadence of vehicle integrations, ensuring new vehicle support reaches production at pace. Contribute to the vehicle integration roadmap, prioritising own work accordingly. Track progress against integration targets and proactively flag risks or blockers.
- Stakeholder Relationships: Maintain close relationships with vehicle OEMs and bodybuilders to obtain technical documentation and early access to new platforms. Coordinate field research and testing of new integrations with Field Installation Engineers. Act as the technical point of contact for vehicle compatibility queries from internal teams and Field Installation Engineers.
- Collaboration and Support: Work closely with the Embedded & Vehicle Systems team to translate findings into firmware and application updates. Contribute to root cause analysis for vehicle compatibility issues raised in the field. Support pre-sales and account management with vehicle compatibility assessments where required.
- Creativity & Innovation: Proactively identify new approaches to vehicle data acquisition as OEM architectures evolve. Contribute ideas to improve integration tooling, documentation practices, and testing processes. Stay current with EV platform developments and emerging vehicle communication standards.
Levels of Responsibility
- Accountable for delivery cadence.
- Works with a high degree of autonomy, reporting progress to the Head of Embedded & Vehicle Systems.
- Represents Lightfoot externally with OEMs and fleet stakeholders.
Working Conditions
- 37.5 hours a week, across Monday - Friday.
- Regular travel to vehicle suppliers, OEM partners, and customer fleet sites.
- Hands-on work with physical vehicles required.
Key Skills
- Supports and embodies Lightfoot's core values: To Care, To Deliver, To Innovate.
- Strong programming skillset, including Python and C/C++.
- Experience of vehicle systems, including diagnostics and electrical architecture.
- Deep technical knowledge of diagnostic standards (e.g. SAE J1939, SAE J1979).
- Strong analytical mindset with excellent attention to detail.
- Proactive planner who can manage a broad workload and maintain momentum.
- Confident communicator with internal teams, OEMs, and fleet customers.
- Commercially aware and outcome-focused.
- Comfortable working with physical vehicles and diagnostic hardware.
Vehicle Systems Engineer in Birmingham employer: Lightfoot
Lightfoot is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for a Vehicle Systems Engineer to thrive. With a focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and hands-on experience with cutting-edge EV technology, all while supporting a flexible remote work environment. Located near Birmingham, our team enjoys strong relationships with industry stakeholders, ensuring meaningful contributions to the future of vehicle integration and efficiency.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vehicle Systems Engineer in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the automotive industry, especially those linked to EVs and vehicle systems. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn – you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your programming skills and experience with vehicle systems. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you’re keen on, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly through our website and express your interest. Tailor your message to show how your skills align with their needs – it shows initiative and enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends! Keep an eye on the latest developments in EV technology and vehicle communication standards. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the field and your commitment to continuous learning.
We think you need these skills to ace Vehicle Systems Engineer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Vehicle Systems Engineer role. Highlight your experience with vehicle systems, programming skills, and any relevant projects that showcase your analytical mindset. We want to see how you fit into our world!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about vehicle integration and how your skills align with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your proactive approach and creativity in problem-solving.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We love tech-savvy candidates! Be sure to highlight your programming skills, especially in Python and C/C++. Mention any experience with diagnostic standards or vehicle data acquisition that can set you apart from the crowd.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing talent out there. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lightfoot
✨Know Your Vehicles
Make sure you brush up on the latest EV and commercial vehicle technologies. Familiarise yourself with OBDII interfaces, diagnostic standards like SAE J1939, and how to extract data from vehicles. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Programming Skills
Since strong programming skills in Python and C/C++ are crucial for this position, be prepared to discuss your experience with these languages. Bring examples of past projects where you've automated processes or developed tooling, as this will demonstrate your practical abilities and problem-solving mindset.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in maintaining stakeholder relationships, especially with OEMs and fleet operators. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve project goals. This will show that you can effectively communicate and work within a team.
✨Be Proactive and Methodical
The role requires a proactive approach to managing a vehicle integration pipeline. Prepare to discuss how you prioritise tasks, track progress, and flag potential risks. Sharing your strategies for staying organised and maintaining momentum will demonstrate that you can handle the responsibilities of the role.
