About Oshkosh Defense, an Oshkosh company

Oshkosh Defense stands behind those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.  As an industry-leading tactical vehicle manufacturer, every day we strive to meet or exceed our customers' ever-changing needs with next generation defense technologies and advanced systems.  We operate with unparalleled commitment to those who depend on our products and services worldwide to perform their missions.

The Chief Engineer – xEV Powertrain Controls & Software provides technical and organizational leadership for the design, development, integration, validation, and lifecycle support of battery and hybrid electric vehicle (xEV) propulsion control systems. This role is accountable for the technical strategy and execution of embedded software, controls, systems engineering, calibration, and integration across electric drive units, high-voltage battery systems, charging, thermal management, and vehicle control architectures. The Chief Engineer establishes the technical vision for software-defined vehicle technologies while ensuring compliance with automotive functional safety, cybersecurity, and quality standards.

*This is a remote role with travel up to 25% for onsite collaboration as business needs arise. Candidates located in or near Detroit, MI; Oshkosh, WI; or Spartanburg, SC are strongly preferred, as proximity to these locations reduces travel requirements.

YOUR IMPACT

• Own the technical roadmap for xEV propulsion controls, embedded software, calibration development, and E/E systems architecture. 

• Lead cross-functional development of E/E architecture, traction inverter controls, electric motor control, high-voltage battery management integration, along with drivability, charging, and thermal management strategies. 

• Drive software-defined vehicle initiatives including planned model year change readiness, diagnostics, and scalable software architectures. 

• Define system-level requirements, control strategies, software architecture, and interface specifications. 

• Lead the overall xEV E/E software and controls team efforts collaborating with Systems Engineering, Calibration, Integration, Validation, and platform teams.

• Deliver planned software and ECUs with design reviews, configuration management, collaborative supplier relationships, and quality and cost improvement plans.

• Lead technical decision making across vehicle systems including: 

• Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) 

• Battery Management System (BMS) 

• Electric Drive Unit (EDU)

• DC-DC Converter (DCDC)

• Onboard Charger (OBC) 

• Vehicle Drivability

• Charging systems including EVSE compatibility

• Thermal management 

• Ensure successful integration of xEV propulsion controls with chassis, braking, ADAS, body electronics, and telematics.

• Represent xEV Powertrain Controls and Software in business and product strategy to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

• Collaborate cross-domain with functional leaders to achieve strategic initiatives. 

• Present and defend technical engineering decisions to Engineering peers, leadership, and external customers.

• Coach and develop junior engineers in the xEV domain.

• Support the development and tracking of department budget(s), forecast operating costs, and direct preparation of project budget requests.

• Identify and propose innovative solutions to complex technical issues.

• Lead the xEV Powertrain transformation toward a more vertically integrated approach to development, integration, and validation.

• Interface with customers and suppliers to resolve complex technical issues, delivering innovative, industry-leading solutions.

• Research, study, and propose new technologies to be used in the development of new and improved products.

• Maintain effective communication with suppliers, internal and external customers, and other stakeholders on technical and schedule issues.

• Create and maintain project documentation for analysis, research, and historical records.

• Perform engineering analysis to support the selection of parts, components, and materials that meet requirements.

• Provide technical assistance for prototype, pilot, and production build support.

• Prepare technical proposals, quotations, reports, and presentations. 

• Perform all duties in an ethical, professional manner consistent with the Oshkosh Way and the Company’s mission, quality objectives, and policies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Accredited Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with ten (10) or more years of related experience.

STANDOUT QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more (5+) years of experience in the design, development, validation, and launch of xEV vehicles.

• Seven or more (7+) years of cross-functional experience in automotive or heavy truck product lifecycle including vehicle level validation, launch and field support.

• Automotive E/E architecture experience, including ECU hardware, sensors, actuators, software, calibration, CAN, UDS, and configuration management.

• Familiarity with E/E tools such as Vector (CANalyzer/CANoe/CANape), ETAS INCA, Atlassian (Jira/Confluence), Artifactory, and Jama.
• Accredited Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering. 
• 7 or more (7+) years of experience leading teams in the design, development, validation, and launch of light-duty automotive or heavy truck on-road xEV vehicles.

• 10 or more (10+) years of cross-functional experience in the automotive or heavy truck product lifecycle including vehicle level validation, launch and field support.

• Prior experience leading small to medium-size engineering teams with direct reports.

• Familiarity with Functional Safety (ISO 26262), Cybersecurity (ISO/SAE 21434), and Systems Engineering lifecycle processes.

#LI-OSK

Pay Range:

Oshkosh is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at corporatetalentacquisition@oshkoshcorp.com.

Oshkosh Corporation is a merit-based Equal Opportunity Employer. Job opportunities are open for application to all qualified individuals and selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. To the extent that information is provided or collected regarding categories as provided by law it will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.

Oshkosh Corporation will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Oshkosh Corporation's legal duty to furnish information.

Certain positions with Oshkosh Corporation require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.