Job Description
OBD Calibration Engineer
About Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI)
Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) serves as Hyundai Motor Group's North American R D headquarters, supporting Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis products in one of the world's most competitive automotive markets. Our integrated teams drive innovation across product planning, design, engineering, quality, testing, and advanced technology development.
With our primary R D campus in Michigan and specialized engineering, development, and proving ground facilities across North America, HATCI provides a dynamic, collaborative environment where groundbreaking ideas accelerate into market-leading vehicle advancements. About the Team
The Emissions and OBD Validation (EMOV) team is part of the Electrified Propulsion division at HATCI and plays a critical role in ensuring our propulsion systems meet increasingly stringent regulatory emissions and on-board diagnostics requirements while delivering exceptional performance and efficiency. Our team specializes in the development, testing, calibration, and validation of engine and electrified propulsion management systems across internal combustion, hybrid, and next-generation electrified powertrains. We lead the charge in emissions and diagnostics calibration innovation, exploring breakthrough technologies that enable next-generation propulsion solutions while maintaining regulatory compliance and competitive advantage. Position Overview
We seek an innovative, technically excellent OBD Calibration Engineer to join our EMOV team in Superior Township, MI. This position offers direct responsibility for developing, calibrating, and validating on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) systems that ensure our internal combustion and hybrid propulsion platforms meet EPA and CARB regulatory requirements while delivering market leading reliability and customer satisfaction. This role provides hands-on technical leadership in a fast-paced development environment where your expertise will directly influence the quality, competitiveness, and regulatory certification of next-generation powertrain technologies across the Hyundai Motor Group's North American portfolio.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Key Responsibilities Lead OBD-II Calibration Development:
Develop, optimize, and validate on-board diagnostic calibrations for ICE and hybrid powertrains, ensuring full compliance with EPA and CARB regulatory requirements
Engine Management System (EMS) Integration:
Execute EMS mapping, calibration, and validation activities with particular focus on OBD monitor functionality, threshold optimization, and diagnostic performance
Comprehensive Testing & Validation:
Conduct rigorous OBD-II calibration and validation testing across extreme ambient environmental conditions, driving cycles, and real-world scenarios
Regulatory Compliance & Certification:
Translate complex EPA/CARB OBD
regulations and certification requirements into actionable test strategies, ensuring seamless pre-production validation
Technical Problem Resolution:
Diagnose and resolve pre-production and field-reported calibration issues with root-cause rigor, supporting manufacturing quality and post-launch field investigations
Documentation & Communication:
Create comprehensive technical reports, test summaries, regulatory compliance documentation, and program milestone updates for internal and external stakeholders
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Partner with systems engineering, software development, hardware engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful OBD calibration implementation and deployment
Competitive & Technology Benchmarking:
Analyze competitor ICE and hybrid propulsion systems, identifying industry best practices and calibration innovations
Travel:
Domestic and international travel as required (approximately 15%) WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE
Education Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related discipline Experience 2+ years of direct, hands-on experience in engine control system (EMS) calibration, OBD-II calibration, or related powertrain development roles
Demonstrated expertise in OBD monitor calibration, threshold development, and diagnostic system validation
Proven experience with EPA and CARB emissions testing procedures and regulatory compliance processes
Hands-on proficiency with calibration toolchains and development platforms (e.g., ETAS/INCA or equivalent)
Working knowledge of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) and diagnostic communication standards
Experience with vehicle instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and test cell or dynamometer-based calibration and validation Technical Knowledge & Competencies Deep understanding of propulsion system fundamentals, including ICE combustion principles, hybrid system operations, and aftertreatment system interactions
Strong grasp of OBD-II monitor requirements, diagnostic fault code strategies, and regulatory threshold justification methodologies
Proficiency in vehicle calibration optimization processes, mapping strategies, and calibration validation techniques
Solid foundation in diagnostics system architecture, including monitor logic, readiness flags, and fault decision thresholds
Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements and translate them into precise technical specifications
Capability to diagnose hardware, software, and system-level issues through systematic engineering analysis
Competency with data analysis, statistical methods, and engineering problem-solving Professional Attributes Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with ability to present technical findings clearly to diverse audiences
Strong professional integrity, commitment to confidentiality, and sound ethical judgment
Valid U.S. driver's license with a satisfactory driving record
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field
4+ years of progressive experience in emissions development, OBD calibration, and vehicle validation
Specialized experience with particulate matter (PM) emissions mitigation, including gasoline particulate filter (GPF) calibration and diagnostics
Track record of calibrating and launching OBD-II features in production vehicle platforms
Expertise in calibration optimization methodologies, including Design of Experiments (DoE) and advanced statistical analysis
Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink for algorithm development, simulation, and validation
Familiarity with hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) propulsion system architecture and OBD strategy complexity
Experience with regulatory submissions, certification processes, or OBD recall investigations
Knowledge of emerging OBD requirements and advanced diagnostic strategies (e.g., on-board compliance monitoring, synthetic OBD) 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
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.