Research Engineer – Fuel Cell Stack Modeling

Ford Motor Company

Research Engineer specializing in fuel cell stack modeling to enhance performance and durability at Ford. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop advanced simulations and engineering analysis.

Posted 6/26/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $99,100 - $166,200 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Model Development & Optimization: Develop and improve physical and electrochemical models to predict fuel cell stack performance, degradation, and internal operational states.
Engineering Analysis: Conduct model-based engineering analysis to mitigate stack stress factors and improve lifetime durability, supporting key design decisions for fuel cell stacks, systems, and controls.
Advanced Simulation: Create advanced simulations incorporating the physics of automotive fuel cell stack operation to develop and verify current and future system designs.
Tool & Software Creation: Develop software toolsets for simulated fuel cell stacks to test against physical constraints and safe operational requirements.
Automation: Implement automation processes for the analysis and testing of modeled fuel cell stacks.
Scalability: Develop standardized processes, methods, and tools to make simulation models sharable and scalable across departments.
Data Validation: Analyze and review simulation test data using real-time and post-processing tools to ensure tight correlation between virtual models and physical testing.
Model Integration: Integrate fuel cell stack simulation models with other Ford models, including controls, larger powertrain systems, and full-vehicle simulations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with hardware test engineers to design physical experiments, parameterize physics-based models, and troubleshoot complex system-level issues.
Documentation & Reporting: Create and maintain comprehensive simulation documentation (including requirements, procedures, plans, and reports), document simulation code, and publish technical papers or reports.

Requirements

What you’ll need

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Two or more years of experience with open-loop and closed-loop fuel cell stack simulation
Demonstrated foundational knowledge of fuel cell technology, electrochemistry principles, and fuel cell system operations (academic or industry-based).
Experience working with data from fuel cell testing (e.g. electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, etc.)
Three or more years of experience using MATLAB and Simulink for component and system modeling.
One or more years of experience formulating transfer functions and developing complex simulations.
Proven experience in troubleshooting and solving complex simulation model errors.
Demonstrated systems engineering mindset.
Strong oral, visual, and written communication skills with a proven ability to document processes and simulation designs clearly.
Even better, you may have...
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Specialized experience in modeling and methods for evaluating Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell degradation.
Experience with high-fidelity simulation software such as Fluent, COMSOL, AVL Fire M, or other multiphysics CFD programs.
Familiarity interfacing models with system simulation software such as AVL Cruise M, Simulink, or similar platforms.
High level of expertise in programming and software development for model creation (e.g., MATLAB, C, Python, LabVIEW).
Experience using distributed version control software such as Git / GitHub.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

fuel cell stack simulationelectrochemistry principlesMATLABSimulinktransfer functionscomplex simulationstroubleshooting simulation modelsProton Exchange Membrane (PEM) modelinghigh-fidelity simulation softwareprogramming (C, Python, LabVIEW)

Soft Skills

communication skillsdocumentation skillscross-functional collaborationsystems engineering mindset

Certifications

B.S. in Electrical EngineeringM.S. in Electrical EngineeringPh.D. in Electrical Engineering