At a Glance
- Tasks: Research and reverse engineer EVs to enhance driver behaviour and efficiency.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company at the forefront of vehicle technology.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the EV space while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong programming skills in Python and C/C++, plus vehicle systems knowledge.
- Other info: Dynamic role with hands-on work and travel opportunities.
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. 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 West Bromwich employer: Lightfoot
Contact Detail:
Lightfoot Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vehicle Systems Engineer in West Bromwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those connected to vehicle systems and EVs. Attend meetups or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews – you never know where a chat might lead!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or any projects related to vehicle systems engineering, make sure to highlight them. Whether it’s a GitHub repo or a personal website, let your work speak for itself.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Lightfoot and its products thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their vehicle compatibility programme and think of examples that showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Lightfoot team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Vehicle Systems Engineer in West Bromwich
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 ability to work with EVs and commercial vehicles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for vehicle technology and how your skills align with our mission at Lightfoot. Don't forget to mention any specific experiences that relate to the job description!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Include any programming languages you’re proficient in, especially Python and C/C++. If you've worked with diagnostic standards or vehicle data acquisition, make sure to highlight that too.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining the Lightfoot team!
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 capability to optimise integration processes.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to vehicle systems and diagnostics. Brush up on your understanding of electrical architecture and be ready to explain how you would approach vehicle data acquisition. Practising common technical interview questions can help you articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with various teams and stakeholders. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, whether it was coordinating with engineers or maintaining relationships with OEMs. Highlighting your communication skills will show that you can thrive in a team-oriented environment.