Vehicle Dynamics Performance Engineer
Stellantis
Chelsea, MI, USA
Posted on Mar 7, 2026
Scope of Work: Project Performance Engineer - Vehicle Dynamics:
The Project Performance Engineer (PPE) for Vehicle Dynamics is responsible for achieving vehicle level ride and handling targets for Stellantis Vehicles. The candidate will coordinate with a team of core dynamics engineers to establish development timelines to meet all functional objectives, component tuning freeze dates, and electronic control hardware/software release dates. Further responsibilities include analyzing and mitigating the vehicle dynamics performance impact of engineering, brand, and marketing requests. The PPE also leads coordination of activities with multiple external stakeholders (powertrain, mechatronics, etc.) and must be confident providing updates to senior management regarding state of the program.
The PPE will be responsible for in-vehicle development of the critical components to meet the vehicle’s overall ride, steering, handling, and tire performance objectives. This development work takes place predominantly at the Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan, with travel required to other test locations as both weather, and test surface conditions dictate (Significant travel occurs during the winter months, with trips lasting 2-3 weeks at a time. Travel is mostly domestic within North America, but can also be international, and is approximately 20% of the Engineer’s time.).
Job Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To
Comprehensive Health & Well-being Coverage
From your very first day, you’ll have access to medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage — ensuring you and your family stay healthy and protected. Also, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support for personal and professional challenges, always ready when you need it.
Family Building Benefit
We proudly support all paths to parenthood- including fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy.
Generous Paid Time Off
We believe in work-life balance. That’s why we offer: 17+ paid holidays, including shut-down from December 24th through New Years Day every year. Vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time and fully paid parental leave when your family needs you most.
Competitive Retirement Savings Plans
We Help You Plan For The Future With
Benefit from both employer-provided and voluntary plan offerings, including life insurance, group accident, critical illness, etc. - supporting the needs of you and your family and ensuring peace of mind.
Company Vehicle Lease Program
Eligible employees and their immediate families can participate in the company vehicle lease program, providing access to Stellantis vehicles with insurance, maintenance, and unlimited miles included. Plus, take advantage of exclusive discounts on Stellantis products.
Support for Your Growth and Giving Back
We believe in investing in your future and your passions:
When you join us, you’re not just building a career — you’re joining a company that supports you, inside and outside of work.
At Stellantis, we assess candidates based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applications from all people without regard to sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any characteristic protected by law. We believe that diverse teams reflect our identity as a global company, enabling us to better address the evolving needs of our customers and care for our future.
EOE / Disability / Veteran
The Project Performance Engineer (PPE) for Vehicle Dynamics is responsible for achieving vehicle level ride and handling targets for Stellantis Vehicles. The candidate will coordinate with a team of core dynamics engineers to establish development timelines to meet all functional objectives, component tuning freeze dates, and electronic control hardware/software release dates. Further responsibilities include analyzing and mitigating the vehicle dynamics performance impact of engineering, brand, and marketing requests. The PPE also leads coordination of activities with multiple external stakeholders (powertrain, mechatronics, etc.) and must be confident providing updates to senior management regarding state of the program.
The PPE will be responsible for in-vehicle development of the critical components to meet the vehicle’s overall ride, steering, handling, and tire performance objectives. This development work takes place predominantly at the Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan, with travel required to other test locations as both weather, and test surface conditions dictate (Significant travel occurs during the winter months, with trips lasting 2-3 weeks at a time. Travel is mostly domestic within North America, but can also be international, and is approximately 20% of the Engineer’s time.).
Job Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To
- Provide guidance to advanced chassis design teams to develop suspension architectures which support vehicle line targets and FOs
- Lead development activities including testing and subjective assessment of vehicle level function to ensure alignment with targets
- Responsible for development of suspension mechanical and electromechanical components and systems in order to achieve driving dynamics functional attribute targets
- Perform subjective evaluations of ride, steering, and handling and assign ratings according to SAE subjective scales up to and beyond the handling limits of the vehicle
- Work closely with suppliers to drive changes required to complete tuning of all systems including air springs, passive dampers, semi-active dampers, and electronic power steering
- Support all active chassis teams in development/implementation/testing of electromechanical hardware and supporting software through data acquisition system
- Development of state-of-the-art prototype and production controls solutions for electromechanical suspension components
- Contribute to development of future semi-active damping strategies and algorithm functional execution
- Work closely with chassis controls team members to develop seamless integration with other active chassis controls components and systems
- Development and execution of vehicle performance DVP&R
- Support core software team with execution of functional and failsafe DVP&R with vehicle level tests
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent
- 5 years of related engineering experience
- 2.5 years of automotive testing and validation experience
- Excellent knowledge of vehicle dynamics
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of vehicle systems
- Experience with requirements management and software version
- management tools
- Effective project management, organizational, and teamwork skills
- Data logging and analysis using tools (Vector CANalyzer, CANape, etc.)
- Must be capable of driving vehicles at, or above the limit of handling
- Valid US driver's license
- Master of Science in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
- DFSS Green Belt certification
- Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) simulation experience
- Mechatronics based skills/experience/education
- Self-starter with strong communication skills
- CAN networking experience
- Microsoft Office tools
Comprehensive Health & Well-being Coverage
From your very first day, you’ll have access to medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage — ensuring you and your family stay healthy and protected. Also, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support for personal and professional challenges, always ready when you need it.
Family Building Benefit
We proudly support all paths to parenthood- including fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy.
Generous Paid Time Off
We believe in work-life balance. That’s why we offer: 17+ paid holidays, including shut-down from December 24th through New Years Day every year. Vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time and fully paid parental leave when your family needs you most.
Competitive Retirement Savings Plans
We Help You Plan For The Future With
- An employer match on contributions to your 401k, Roth, and Catch-Up plans
- An employer contribution, even if you don’t contribute
Benefit from both employer-provided and voluntary plan offerings, including life insurance, group accident, critical illness, etc. - supporting the needs of you and your family and ensuring peace of mind.
Company Vehicle Lease Program
Eligible employees and their immediate families can participate in the company vehicle lease program, providing access to Stellantis vehicles with insurance, maintenance, and unlimited miles included. Plus, take advantage of exclusive discounts on Stellantis products.
Support for Your Growth and Giving Back
We believe in investing in your future and your passions:
- Tuition reimbursement
- Student loan refinancing programs
- 18 paid volunteer hours each year to make a difference in your community
When you join us, you’re not just building a career — you’re joining a company that supports you, inside and outside of work.
At Stellantis, we assess candidates based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applications from all people without regard to sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any characteristic protected by law. We believe that diverse teams reflect our identity as a global company, enabling us to better address the evolving needs of our customers and care for our future.
EOE / Disability / Veteran
