Vehicle Development Engineer in Brighton

Company Overview: LinHR’s Client is a leading global tier 1 auto parts supplier, celebrated for its innovation and excellence in the automotive industry. With two major Engineering sites in the USA—located in Moraine, OH, and Brighton, MI—and a combined team of approximately 150 employees, we are committed to driving technological progress and nurturing a vibrant, collaborative work environment.

Position Summary: We are seeking a Vehicle Development Engineer to lead the development, tuning, and validation of passive and semi-active suspension systems, including MagneRide (MR) technology. This role focuses on delivering optimal ride, handling, and vehicle dynamics performance while supporting OEM programs from concept through production. The MagneRide system uses magnetorheological fluid to rapidly adjust damping forces, enabling precise control of vehicle dynamics and ride comfort. The role will work with the application engineering and product development teams specializing in pneumatic and hydraulic vehicle lift and leveling systems. You will assist in closing the gap between advanced technical solutions and customer-specific vehicle applications, assist with the full lifecycle from initial concept to high-volume production release. This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise in vertical dynamics and leadership skills to mentor a high-performing multidisciplinary team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead vehicle-level development of passive and MR (MagneRide) damper systems
• Perform ride & handling tuning, subjective and objective evaluations
• Support simulated / virtual tuning to model vehicle performance prior to physical hardware
• Define and execute vehicle test plans (proving grounds, road tests, lab validation)
• Analyze vehicle dynamics data and recommend calibration improvements
• Author verification test reports
• Support integration of MagneRide systems (dampers, sensors, ECU controls)
• Collaborate with controls/software teams on damping algorithms and calibration
• Troubleshoot system-level issues and support root cause analysis
• Develop and validate conventional damper systems (valving, tuning, durability)
• Support benchmarking and competitive analysis of suspension systems

Program & OEM Interface

• Work directly with OEM customers on vehicle performance targets and feedback
• Support design reviews, DV/PV testing, and launch activities
• Ensure alignment with program timing, quality, and cost objectives
• Frequency travel to test sites and customer locations as required

REQUIREMENT QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field
• Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics (ride, handling, NVH basics)
• Understanding of modern controls techniques and theory
• Knowledge of Mathworks Matlab, Simulink and Stateflow
• Experience with vehicle testing, data acquisition, and analysis tools
• Ability to interpret test data and translate into engineering improvements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, preferably master’s degree in engineering or related field
• 3-10 years’ experience in the automotive industry, preferably in suspension controls or vehicle testing
• Vehicle suspension system knowledge
• Familiarity with electrical engineering concepts including embedded microcontroller software/controls
• Simulation and modeling experience
• Ability to read and interpret Simulink models and compiled C-code
• Experience in developing performance specifications
• High performance driving experience
• Experience with data acquisition systems and data collection / reduction
• Experience with HIL testing or vehicle testing
• FSAE or Baja SAE Experience

TRAVEL REQUIRED (%): >50% travel to meet customers and suppliers with day travel to the various manufacturing facilities as required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

COMPUTER SKILLS: Ability to use and understand Windows Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and SharePoint, Microsoft (email). This is additional to the computer skill requirements as stated in the requirement qualifications.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to read and understand engineering prints/drawings. Good level of analytical skills and interpersonal skills. Ability to work on a team. Ability to guide the efforts of support personnel. Good team building skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and to talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

What We Offer: Competitive salary up to 120K and performance-based incentives. Comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, medical, dental, vision, Pcard, Travel card, 401(k) with company match. A dynamic, inclusive work environment where your ability to unite people and execute solutions will directly impact business success. LinHR is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under LinHR's Employment Accommodation Policy. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. LinHR is an equal opportunity employer seeking to live its values in all we do. We are committed to taking proactive steps to provide and create opportunities for historically marginalized groups. We seek applicants who will strengthen our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Indigenous, Black and other racialized persons, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, and other members of marginalized communities to consider working with and for LinHR. We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications, and therefore we seek to use employment equity to differentiate between candidates who meet the required qualifications. We encourage people to apply even if they feel that the position would be a stretch. LinHR uses AI-assisted tools only to support screening and efficiency, never to make final decisions. All hiring decisions are made by human professionals, and candidates may request human review at any time.