The Vehicle Dynamics (VD) Engineer is responsible for the development, and validation, of ride, steering, handling, and tire performance to meet functional objectives of company vehicles. The Engineer will work closely with a VD lead (performance) engineer, component Design and Release Engineers (DRE), VD Virtual Analysis (VA) Engineers, Noise/Vibration/Harshness (NVH) Engineers, Active Chassis system Engineers and the Vehicle Product engineering team to ensure that critical components such as suspension, steering, powertrain/engine/body mounts, and tires have appropriate targets/specifications to meet Program performance objectives. This will be accomplished through a combination of simulation, objective testing, and subjective evaluation methods. The role requires specialized driving skills for subjective ride, steering, routine handling and limit handling evaluations.
The VD Engineer will be responsible for in-vehicle development of the critical components to meet the vehicle’s overall ride, steering, handling, and tire performance objectives. This development work takes place predominantly on location in Michigan, with travel required to other test locations as both weather, and test surface conditions dictate (Significant travel occurs during the winter months, with trips lasting 2-3 weeks at a time. Travel is mostly domestic within North America, but can also be international, and is approximately 20% of the Engineer’s time.).