Thermal Systems Test Engineer
Date: Sep 1, 2025
Location: California City, CA, US, 93505
Company: Hyundai Motor Company
Thermal Systems Test Engineer
Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) is seeking a highly motivated and proactive engineer for the Thermal Systems Team
The Team:
The Thermal Systems Team oversees air conditioning, heating, automatic temperature control, cooling, and battery thermal management efforts concerning Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis NA vehicle models
The Position:
The Thermal Systems Test Engineer would support corporate goals of maintaining safety, improving customer satisfaction, reducing warranty costs, and enhancing the public image of HMG (Hyundai Motor Group) products in the North American market
What You Will Do:
- Research, develop, and oversee full-vehicle thermal systems testing at HATCI's automotive proving ground in California City, CA
- Support third-party data collection requests for purposes of test mode development, CAE model correlation, research study, market understanding, and design requirement creation
- Participate in all related air conditioning, heater system, towing, and battery thermal management validation testing, including lab testing, for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles for North America
- Participate in all related automatic temperature control (FATC) calibration testing and validation for HMG
- The focus of this responsibility would be field testing for validation efforts; however, lab testing would be required, too
- Install and configure data acquisition equipment
- Work competently with a wide range of data inputs, including vehicle CAN bus, thermocouples, and more
- Retrieve data, perform analysis, and provide high-level commentary on results
- Conduct periodic competitive vehicle and technology evaluations and submit reports as defined by management and customers
- Lead as assigned by the Thermal Systems Manager, testing new technologies pertaining to thermal systems
- Complete administrative tasks, such as purchasing requests, vacation requests, business travel plans, etc.
- Plan and oversee project work (i.e., purchase of fixed assets and facility/equipment repairs)
- Create and present technical reports as assigned
- Perform liaison activities related to thermal systems between internal and external stakeholders
- Provide experience/perspective on understanding the NA market, in particular, customer usage and expectations
- Travel up to 40%, both domestically and internationally
What You Will Bring to the Role:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, or a related field of engineering
- 2+ years of vehicle testing and development experience
- Knowledge of thermal systems
- Automotive proving ground work experience
- Experience conducting field investigations
- Proficiency in MATLAB, R, and Python
- Adept at working with automotive data acquisition tools and sensors
- Data and root cause analysis skills
- Comfortable operating in settings with the following conditions and expectations:
- Exposure to extreme indoor and outdoor temperatures, ranging from -40º F (in the winter) to +120º F (in the summer)
- Working up to an altitude of 10,000 feet
- Exposure to fuel, compressed air/gas, emissions, and exhaust fumes
- Exposure to pinching, tripping, electrical, and chemical hazards
- Bending and stooping one's body
- Lifting up to 75 lbs
- Working with hand-powered tools
- Using personal protective equipment (when required/prescribed)
- Removing and attaching trailers to vehicles
- Installing instrumentation and repairing vehicle failures
- Operating vehicles for 1,000 miles over a 2-3 day period
- Familiarity with Microsoft programs, such as Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word
- Flexibility with program and process changes, as Hyundai/Kia/Genesis is willing to make late changes to satisfy customer needs
- Excellent time management, self-management, and organization skills
- Project management experience
- Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and leadership skills
- Ability to explain technical topics to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
What Hyundai Can Offer You:
- 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
- Competitive Salaries
- Range of Position: $70,000 ~ $125,000/Year
- A Global Environment that Fosters Diversity
- Retirement Savings and Planning Benefits
- Access to Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Flexible Work Hours
Other Details:
- 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. VEVRM Federal contractor.
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