2027 Summer Intern - Research & Development - Energy and Propulsion Controls
Core
Support researchers and engineers on advanced vehicle energy-management, propulsion-control, and thermal-management technologies, specifically translating research into vehicle-level control concepts, models, and simulations for efficient electrified propulsion systems.
Role type
Summer Research Intern (Energy & Propulsion Controls)
Builds
Vehicle-level control concepts, models, simulations, and implementation activities for thermal management and energy systems.
Domain
Automotive / Electrified Propulsion / Thermal Management
Required skills
Controls theory, Systems engineering, Modeling and simulation, Data analysis, Test execution, Technical documentation, Sensor/actuator analysis, Simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Modelica, GT-SUITE), Battery systems knowledge, Thermal systems knowledge, Power electronics knowledge, Electric propulsion knowledge, Embedded controls knowledge, Vehicle dynamics knowledge, Mechatronics knowledge, Feedback control, State estimation, Optimization, System identification, Calibration, Time-series data analysis, Hardware-in-the-loop testing, Vehicle testing, CAN/LIN protocols, Data logging, Control strategy verification and validation, Test-case development, Issue investigation, Technical presentation, Stakeholder collaboration, Requirement documentation, Calibration parameter management, Test procedure development, Technical summary creation, Plot generation, Dashboard creation, Progress reporting, Feedback incorporation, Technical question definition, Analysis plan establishment, Result review, Next step recommendation, Laboratory environment work, Engineering test environment work, Vehicle-development environment work
Preferred skills
Advanced degree pursuit (MS or PhD) in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, controls engineering, computer engineering, chemical engineering, systems engineering, aerospace engineering, or related engineering discipline, Full-time availability (40 hours/week), Willingness to work in laboratory, engineering test, or vehicle-development environment, Coursework or project experience in control systems, thermal systems, energy management, vehicle dynamics, battery systems, power electronics, electric propulsion, or mechatronics, Familiarity with feedback control, system identification, optimization, state estimation, calibration, or control-oriented modeling, Experience analyzing time-series data from simulations, laboratory testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or vehicle testing, Experience with sensors, actuators, data acquisition, embedded controls, or software development, Understanding of battery state of charge, battery power limits, thermal limits, energy consumption, regenerative braking, or propulsion-system operating modes, Familiarity with CAN, LIN, signal databases, vehicle data logging, or other automotive communication and measurement technologies, Ability to organize technical work, document assumptions, investigate unexpected results, and communicate conclusions clearly, Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, Curiosity and willingness to learn
Technologies
MATLAB, Simulink, Python, Modelica, GT-SUITE, CAN, LIN, Hardware-in-the-loop systems, Vehicle testing equipment, Data acquisition systems, Sensor systems, Actuator systems, Battery management systems, Thermal management systems, Power electronics systems, Electric machine systems, Drive unit systems, Charging systems, HVAC systems, Coolant pumps, Valves, Compressors, Heaters, Fans, Shutters, Vehicle-level controllers, Signal databases, Data logging tools, Test-case development tools, Calibration tools, Plotting tools, Dashboard tools, Presentation tools, Technical documentation tools, Laboratory equipment, Engineering test equipment, Vehicle-development environment tools, Simulation tools, Analysis tools, Optimization tools, State estimation tools, Control-oriented modeling tools, Time-series data analysis tools, Sensor data analysis tools, Actuator data analysis tools, Test execution tools, Data review tools, Issue investigation tools, Requirement documentation tools, Control logic documentation tools, System assumption documentation tools, Interface documentation tools, Calibration parameter documentation tools, Test procedure documentation tools, Technical result documentation tools, Plot generation tools, Dashboard creation tools, Presentation creation tools, Technical summary creation tools, Progress reporting tools, Feedback incorporation tools, Technical question definition tools, Analysis plan establishment tools, Result review tools, Next step recommendation tools, Laboratory environment tools, Engineering test environment tools, Vehicle-development environment tools, Controls theory tools, Systems engineering tools, Modeling and simulation tools, Data analysis tools, Test execution tools, Technical documentation tools, Sensor/actuator analysis tools, Simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Modelica, GT-SUITE), Battery systems knowledge, Thermal systems knowledge, Power electronics knowledge, Electric propulsion knowledge, Embedded controls knowledge, Vehicle dynamics knowledge, Mechatronics knowledge, Feedback control, State estimation, Optimization, System identification, Calibration, Time-series data analysis, Hardware-in-the-loop testing, Vehicle testing, CAN/LIN protocols, Data logging, Control strategy verification and validation, Test-case development, Issue investigation, Technical presentation, Stakeholder collaboration, Requirement documentation, Calibration parameter management, Test procedure development, Technical summary creation, Plot generation, Dashboard creation, Progress reporting, Feedback incorporation, Technical question definition, Analysis plan establishment, Result review, Next step recommendation, Laboratory environment work, Engineering test environment work, Vehicle-development environment work
Responsibilities
Support ongoing research assignments related to energy management, propulsion controls, thermal management, and vehicle-level control coordination. Help develop, evaluate, and document control strategies for battery, power electronics, electric machines, drive units, charging systems, and related thermal systems. Support the vehicle implementation of thermal-management research, including control logic for coolant pumps, valves, compressors, heaters, fans, shutters, and other thermal actuators. Develop or modify models used to study battery, propulsion, and thermal-system behavior under representative vehicle operating conditions. Run simulations and analyze system behavior across drive cycles, ambient conditions, charging conditions, operating modes, and component limits. Evaluate tradeoffs among energy consumption, range, component temperature, charging performance, propulsion capability, drive quality, efficiency, and occupant comfort. Support the development of interfaces between propulsion controls, energy-management functions, battery systems, thermal systems, HVAC-related systems, and vehicle-level controllers. Analyze sensor and actuator data to identify trends, control issues, performance limitations, and opportunities for improvement. Compare simulation results with laboratory, bench, hardware-in-the-loop, or vehicle-test data when available. Assist with control-strategy verification and validation through test-case development, test execution, data review, and issue investigation. Support the documentation of requirements, control logic, system assumptions, interfaces, calibration parameters, test procedures, and technical results. Create plots, dashboards, presentations, technical summaries, and other materials that communicate findings to engineering and research stakeholders. Collaborate with researchers and engineers to define technical questions, establish analysis plans, review results, and recommend next steps. Present progress and technical findings in team reviews and incorporate feedback into follow-on work.
Seniority
Intern, Summer 2027
