Senior Transmission Shift Quality Calibration Engineer

Transmission Shift-quality Calibration Engineer (E2/Sr)

The Shift-quality Development Engineer is responsible for the development, calibration, validation, and optimization of transmission shift-quality for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles. This role supports vehicle programs throughout the development lifecycle, utilizing subjective evaluations, objective measurements, data analysis, and calibration development to achieve shift-quality targets and customer satisfaction objectives.

The engineer will collaborate with calibration, controls, testing, and vehicle integration teams to identify issues, develop countermeasures, execute validation activities, and support successful vehicle launches. Depending on experience and demonstrated capability, the engineer may lead portions of vehicle programs and provide technical guidance to other team members.

Essential Responsibilities

Shift-quality Development

• Develop, validate, and optimize transmission shift-quality calibrations for conventional, and electrified powertrain systems.
• Perform subjective and objective evaluations of shift-quality performance.
• Identify shift-quality concerns and develop data-driven countermeasures.
• Support achievement of vehicle shift-quality targets and customer satisfaction objectives.
• Participate in calibration release activities and maintain supporting documentation.

Data Analysis & Problem Solving

• Collect and analyze vehicle data using calibration and measurement tools (ETAS-INCA, AVL Drive, Matlab, Python).
• Perform root cause analysis of transmission performance issues.
• Utilize engineering judgment and objective data to support calibration decisions.
• Develop reports, presentations, and recommendations based on test findings.
• Support development of objective metrics and evaluation methods.

Benchmarking & Competitive Assessment

• Evaluate competitor vehicles and benchmark shift-quality performance.
• Collect and analyze benchmark vehicle data via CAN reverse engineering (Vehicle Spy or Equivalent)
• Support establishment and refinement of internal performance targets.

Vehicle Testing & Validation

• Plan and execute vehicle evaluations in proving ground and public-road environments.
• Support hot weather, cold weather, altitude, towing, and specialty validation testing.
• Develop test plans and evaluation procedures for assigned activities.
• Ensure validation activities are completed according to established engineering processes.
• Up to 25% of travel is required for testing in hot, cold climates, day trips to proving grounds and international trips to Korea (up to 2 weeks per year)

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with controls, EMS, drivability, integration, testing, and supplier engineering teams from HATCI (US) and HMG (Korea).
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Support issue tracking and resolution activities throughout vehicle development programs.
• Participate in technical reviews and management presentations.

Technical Development & Leadership

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  • Senior-level candidates may lead development activities, mentor less experienced engineers, and serve as technical owners for assigned programs.
  
  
  
  

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from ABET-accredited institution preferred
• 3+ years of experience working in an engineering capacity for vehicle development for an OEM with exposure to ETAS-INCA calibration tools or equivalent
• 1-2 years of experience in drivability development, powertrain controls development, or shift-quality calibration.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple vehicle programs and calibration releases simultaneously.

Technical Skills (Preferred)

• Experience with ETAS INCA for calibration and measurement.
• Strong data analysis skills using ETAS MDA, MATLAB, AVL DRIVE, or equivalent analysis tools.
• Experience with calibration release management and ROM/software release processes, utilizing tools such as AVL CRETA or equivalent systems.
• Understanding of vehicle communication networks including CAN, LIN, and Ethernet and ability to reverse engineer CAN signals with tools such as VehicleSpy or equivalent
• Exposure to and knowledge of transmission control systems, shift execution strategies, torque management, and driveline dynamics.

Vehicle Development Experience (Preferred)

• Experience performing real-world vehicle evaluations and subjective drive assessments.
• Experience conducting calibration development and validation at proving grounds and public-road test environments.
• Strong understanding of customer-perceived drivability attributes and vehicle character development from sources such as J.D. Power, media feedback and other 3rd party sources
• Experience defining objective and subjective shift-quality targets based on customer expectations and competitive benchmarks

• Zero-dollar Employee Premiums on Medical, Dental, and Vision for You and Your Family
• 100% Employer-paid Disability and Life Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off, Including Vacation, Sick, and Abundant Holidays
• Range of Position: $115,000 ~ $155,000 /Year
• A Global Environment that Fosters Diversity
• Retirement Savings and Planning Benefits
• Access to Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Flexible Work Hours

• Candidates applying for positions with Hyundai KIA must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
• HATCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Veteran. VEVRAA Federal contractor.
• Cover letter recommended