How to Apply to BorgWarner

9 min read Last updated March 7, 2026 206 open positions
Blake Crosley
Blake Crosley Researched using publicly available information, hiring data, and ATS analysis.

Key Takeaways

  • Study BorgWarner's 'Charging Forward' electrification strategy before applying — reference specific product lines (eDrive modules, battery packs, power electronics) in your resume and cover letter to demonstrate you understand where the company is headed
  • Format your resume in a single-column, parser-friendly layout and upload it as a .docx to minimize Workday parsing errors — then manually verify every auto-populated field in your candidate profile before hitting submit
  • Populate your Workday profile with automotive-specific keywords pulled directly from the job posting — terms like 'IATF 16949,' 'high-voltage systems,' 'DFMEA,' or 'lean manufacturing' are how recruiters search for candidates
  • Prepare for interviews by identifying one or two past projects you can discuss in granular, quantified detail — BorgWarner's engineering culture values specificity over generalities
  • Apply selectively to roles that genuinely match your background — BorgWarner's low active posting count (typically around 16) means each role receives focused recruiter attention, and so should your application
  • If transitioning from traditional automotive or adjacent industries into EV work, explicitly bridge your existing skills to electrification applications in your resume summary and interview answers

About BorgWarner

BorgWarner is a Fortune 500 global automotive supplier headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with approximately 41,000 employees across nearly 100 manufacturing and technical facilities worldwide. The company has established itself as a powertrain technology leader, producing turbochargers, transmission systems, thermal management solutions, and — increasingly — electric vehicle components including e-motors, power electronics, battery packs, and integrated electric drive modules. BorgWarner's ambitious 'Charging Forward' strategy represents one of the most aggressive electrification pivots in the Tier 1 supplier space, with the company targeting a significant portion of its revenue from EV-related products by the end of the decade. This transformation accelerated with the 2020 acquisition of Delphi Technologies, which expanded their power electronics and electrification capabilities. The culture at BorgWarner blends traditional automotive engineering rigor with a startup-like urgency around EV innovation. Employees frequently cite the company's engineering depth, global exposure, and the tangible impact of working on technology that shapes the future of mobility. With operations spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, BorgWarner offers cross-functional career paths that move between legacy combustion expertise and cutting-edge electrification work. For engineers, supply chain professionals, and business strategists who want to be at the epicenter of the automotive industry's most consequential transformation, BorgWarner represents a compelling opportunity — a company large enough to invest at scale, yet agile enough to reinvent its own product portfolio in real time.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Explore Open Roles on BorgWarner's Workday Careers Portal

    Navigate to BorgWarner's careers page hosted on Workday (borgwarner.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com) and use the search filters to narrow by location, job family, and experience level. With only around 16 active postings at any given time, the openings tend to be highly specific — read each description thoroughly to understand whether the role sits within their legacy powertrain business or their growing electrification division. Bookmark roles of interest, as Workday allows you to save jobs before applying.

  2. 2
    Create or Sign Into Your Workday Candidate Account

    BorgWarner's Workday instance requires you to create a candidate profile before submitting any application. You can expedite this by importing your LinkedIn profile or uploading a resume, which Workday will attempt to auto-parse into its structured fields. Review every parsed field carefully — Workday's parser frequently misplaces job titles, dates, and employer names, especially from multi-column resume formats.

  3. 3
    Tailor Your Resume and Complete Application Fields

    Beyond uploading your resume, Workday will ask you to manually confirm or enter work history, education, and skills into structured form fields. This is where keyword alignment matters most — BorgWarner's recruiters and hiring managers will search these fields using terms specific to automotive engineering, electrification, and manufacturing. Ensure your entries mirror the terminology used in the job posting, whether that's 'IATF 16949,' 'high-voltage battery systems,' or 'APQP.'

  4. 4
    Answer Screening Questions and Submit Supporting Documents

    Expect pre-screening questions about your work authorization, willingness to relocate (BorgWarner has facilities in rural and suburban locations globally), and relevant certifications. Some engineering roles may ask about specific software proficiency (MATLAB, CATIA, Simulink) or experience with automotive OEM programs. If the posting requests a cover letter, use it to explicitly connect your experience to BorgWarner's electrification strategy or the specific product line the role supports.

  5. 5
    Initial Recruiter Screen

    If your application advances, a BorgWarner talent acquisition specialist will typically reach out for a 20-30 minute phone or video screen. This conversation commonly covers your motivation for joining BorgWarner specifically, your understanding of their product portfolio, salary expectations, and logistical factors like relocation and start date. Demonstrating awareness of their 'Charging Forward' strategy and how the role contributes to it can set you apart from candidates who treat this as just another automotive supplier.

  6. 6
    Technical and Hiring Manager Interviews

    BorgWarner's interview process typically includes one or more rounds with the hiring manager and technical team members. For engineering roles, expect scenario-based questions around problem-solving in manufacturing environments, design validation, or EV component development. For corporate and supply chain roles, case-style questions about cost reduction, supplier management, or cross-functional project leadership are common. These interviews may be conducted via Microsoft Teams or on-site at the relevant BorgWarner facility.

  7. 7
    On-Site Visit, Offer, and Background Check

    Final-round candidates for many roles are invited to visit the BorgWarner facility where the position is based, meet the broader team, and sometimes tour manufacturing or engineering lab areas. Offers typically follow within one to two weeks of the final interview. BorgWarner conducts background checks and, for certain roles involving proprietary EV technology, may require additional confidentiality or IP-related agreements.

Resume Tips for BorgWarner

critical

Lead With Automotive and Electrification Terminology

BorgWarner's recruiters search Workday's candidate database using industry-specific keywords. Your resume should explicitly include terms from the job posting — think 'powertrain,' 'e-mobility,' 'high-voltage systems,' 'thermal management,' 'NVH,' 'DFMEA,' or 'PPAP' depending on the role. If you've worked with automotive OEMs or other Tier 1 suppliers, name them. A resume that says 'managed supplier quality' is weaker than one that says 'managed Tier 2 supplier quality for EV battery housing programs under IATF 16949.'

critical

Use a Single-Column, Workday-Friendly Format

Workday's resume parser struggles with multi-column layouts, tables, headers/footers, and graphics. Use a clean, single-column format with standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications). Avoid text boxes or embedded images entirely. Save as a .docx or standard PDF — Workday handles these most reliably. Since BorgWarner's Workday instance will attempt to auto-populate your profile fields, a cleanly formatted resume saves you significant time correcting parsing errors.

critical

Quantify Impact in Manufacturing and Engineering Contexts

BorgWarner is a results-driven manufacturer — vague accomplishments won't resonate. Quantify your contributions in terms the automotive industry values: scrap reduction percentages, cycle time improvements, cost savings on programs, parts-per-million defect rates, or launch timeline adherence. For example, 'Reduced turbocharger assembly line scrap rate by 18% through root cause analysis and fixture redesign' communicates far more than 'Improved manufacturing quality.'

recommended

Highlight Cross-Functional and Global Experience

With operations in over 20 countries, BorgWarner values candidates who can work across cultures, time zones, and functions. If you've collaborated with international teams, managed global supply chains, or supported product launches across multiple plant locations, feature this prominently. Even mentioning language skills beyond English — particularly German, Mandarin, Korean, or Hungarian — can differentiate your application for roles that involve BorgWarner's major international facilities.

recommended

Showcase Your EV and Electrification Knowledge — Even If Transitioning

BorgWarner is actively hiring people to support its electrification pivot, and they recognize that the talent pool with pure EV experience is limited. If you're transitioning from traditional powertrain or adjacent industries, explicitly connect your skills to EV applications. A thermal engineer from HVAC can highlight heat exchanger design relevant to battery thermal management. A power electronics engineer from industrial motors can position their inverter experience toward automotive traction drives. Make the bridge obvious.

recommended

Include Relevant Certifications and Software Proficiencies

BorgWarner's engineering and quality roles frequently require specific tool proficiency. List relevant certifications (Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, PMP, CQE, IATF 16949 Lead Auditor) and software tools (CATIA, NX, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS, Minitab, SAP, Arena) in a dedicated skills section. Workday allows recruiters to filter candidates by these keywords, so omitting them can mean your application never surfaces in searches even if you possess the skill.

nice_to_have

Keep Your Resume to Two Pages Maximum

For most roles at BorgWarner — from early-career engineering to senior management — a two-page resume is the expected standard in the automotive supplier industry. Prioritize the last 10-15 years of experience and cut older roles to brief mentions. If you're applying for a plant manager or director-level position, ensure your resume communicates P&L ownership, headcount managed, and strategic initiative leadership rather than day-to-day task lists.

ATS System: Workday

BorgWarner uses Workday Recruiting as its applicant tracking system, hosted at borgwarner.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com. Workday stores your application data in structured fields and allows recruiters to search, filter, and rank candidates using keywords, job history, and screening question responses. Your uploaded resume is important, but the parsed and manually entered data in your Workday profile is what drives recruiter searches and automated screening.

  • Use a single-column resume layout without tables, text boxes, or graphics — Workday's parser frequently misreads complex formatting and will scramble your work history
  • After Workday auto-parses your resume, manually review every field in your candidate profile — correct any misplaced job titles, dates, and employer names before submitting
  • Mirror exact keywords from the BorgWarner job posting in both your resume and Workday profile fields, especially technical terms like 'battery management system,' 'inverter design,' or 'lean manufacturing'
  • Complete all optional fields in your Workday profile, including skills, certifications, and language abilities — recruiters use these filters to surface candidates for roles across BorgWarner's global operations
  • Upload your resume as a .docx file for best parsing accuracy, or as a standard PDF if .docx is not an option — avoid scanned image PDFs
  • Apply to each role individually rather than mass-applying — Workday tracks your application history, and submitting to many unrelated roles can signal a lack of focus to recruiters
  • Save your Workday login credentials — BorgWarner uses a single candidate profile across all their postings, so you can track application status and apply to future roles without re-entering information

Complete Workday Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

BorgWarner's interview process reflects its identity as a precision-focused automotive manufacturer that is simultaneously undergoing a major strategic transformation.

Expect a structured, multi-round process that evaluates both your technical depth and your alignment with the company's electrification mission. The initial recruiter screen is conversational but purposeful — they're assessing baseline fit, logistics, and whether you understand what BorgWarner actually does beyond being 'an auto parts company.' Demonstrating knowledge of their specific product lines (turbochargers, eDrive systems, battery modules, power electronics) signals genuine interest. Technical interviews at BorgWarner are typically conducted by the hiring manager and one or two team members. For engineering roles, these often include practical problem-solving scenarios: how you'd approach a design validation issue, a manufacturing yield problem, or a supplier quality escalation. You may be asked to walk through a past project in granular detail — what your specific contribution was, what trade-offs you navigated, and what the measurable outcome was. BorgWarner's culture values engineers who can explain complex problems clearly, not just solve them in isolation. For corporate functions — finance, HR, supply chain, IT — expect behavioral questions structured around competencies like cross-functional collaboration, change management, and continuous improvement. The company's ongoing transformation from a combustion-focused supplier to an electrification leader means they actively seek people comfortable with ambiguity and organizational change. Culture fit at BorgWarner often comes down to three signals: intellectual curiosity about automotive technology (even in non-engineering roles), a bias toward action and measurable results, and the ability to collaborate across a global, matrixed organization. The atmosphere in interviews tends to be professional but not stiff — interviewers are often practicing engineers or operational leaders who appreciate directness and specificity over polished corporate speak. Asking thoughtful questions about the team's current projects or how the role contributes to the 'Charging Forward' strategy will leave a strong impression.

What BorgWarner Looks For

  • Deep technical expertise in powertrain, electrification, thermal systems, or manufacturing engineering — BorgWarner hires specialists who can contribute immediately to product programs
  • Demonstrable experience with automotive quality systems (IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, 8D) — the Tier 1 supplier environment demands rigorous quality discipline
  • Comfort with BorgWarner's strategic transformation — candidates who can articulate enthusiasm for the shift from combustion to electrification, even if their background is in traditional powertrain
  • Cross-functional collaboration skills suited to a global, matrixed organization where decisions involve engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and program management simultaneously
  • Quantified track record of continuous improvement — whether through lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, cost reduction initiatives, or product launch performance metrics
  • Global mindset and cultural adaptability — with major operations across the US, Europe, China, South Korea, and beyond, BorgWarner needs people who thrive working across borders and time zones
  • Intellectual curiosity and a learning orientation — the electrification space evolves rapidly, and BorgWarner values candidates who stay current with emerging technologies in EV architecture, power electronics, and battery chemistry

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the BorgWarner hiring process typically take from application to offer?
Based on candidate reports, BorgWarner's hiring process commonly takes 4 to 8 weeks from initial application to offer, though this varies by role complexity and location. Engineering and plant-based roles may move faster due to urgent operational needs, while corporate and senior leadership positions can take longer due to multi-stakeholder interview rounds. After submitting your application through Workday, you can typically expect an initial response within 1-3 weeks if selected for a recruiter screen. Monitor your Workday candidate portal for status updates, as BorgWarner's recruiters manage a global requisition load.
Does BorgWarner require a cover letter with applications?
BorgWarner's Workday portal makes cover letters optional for most postings, but submitting one is strongly recommended — especially given the relatively low number of active openings, which means recruiters have time to read them. Use your cover letter to connect your specific experience to BorgWarner's electrification strategy and the particular product line or facility associated with the role. A generic cover letter adds little value; a targeted one that demonstrates you understand the difference between BorgWarner's turbocharger business and their eDrive division shows genuine engagement that separates you from other applicants.
What resume format works best with BorgWarner's Workday ATS?
Use a clean, single-column resume saved as a .docx file (preferred) or standard PDF. Avoid tables, multi-column layouts, text boxes, embedded graphics, and header/footer content — Workday's parser will either misread or skip these elements entirely. Standard section headers like 'Professional Experience,' 'Education,' 'Skills,' and 'Certifications' parse most reliably. After uploading, always review the auto-populated fields in your Workday candidate profile and correct any errors before submitting your application.
What types of roles does BorgWarner hire for most frequently?
BorgWarner's hiring is heavily weighted toward engineering and manufacturing roles, reflecting its identity as a Tier 1 automotive supplier. Common openings include product design engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, program managers, and plant operations roles. As the company scales its electrification portfolio, demand has grown for specialists in power electronics, battery systems, e-motor design, and thermal management. Corporate functions like finance, supply chain, HR, and IT are also regularly hired for, particularly at the Auburn Hills, Michigan headquarters. Internship and co-op programs provide pathways for university students in engineering and business disciplines.
Does BorgWarner offer remote or hybrid work arrangements?
BorgWarner's approach to remote work varies significantly by role type and location. Corporate and professional roles at headquarters and technical centers commonly offer hybrid arrangements, blending in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. However, the majority of BorgWarner's workforce operates in manufacturing plants, test labs, and customer-facing technical roles that require on-site presence. Job postings on their Workday portal typically specify location requirements — pay close attention to whether a role lists a specific facility or indicates 'remote/hybrid' eligibility. During the recruiter screen, clarifying the work arrangement expectations is both appropriate and expected.
How can I stand out as a candidate if I don't have direct automotive industry experience?
BorgWarner recognizes that the electrification talent pool extends beyond traditional automotive, and they actively recruit from adjacent industries including aerospace, industrial motors, power conversion, consumer electronics, and energy storage. The key is explicitly translating your experience into automotive-relevant terms in your resume and interviews. If you've designed power electronics for industrial applications, connect that to automotive inverter requirements. If you've managed complex supply chains in aerospace, draw parallels to automotive APQP and launch processes. In your cover letter, acknowledge BorgWarner's industry-specific context while emphasizing the transferable value of your expertise. Showing that you've researched automotive quality standards like IATF 16949, even if you haven't worked under them, demonstrates commitment to bridging the gap.
What should I prepare for in a BorgWarner technical interview?
BorgWarner's technical interviews typically focus on practical problem-solving rather than abstract puzzles. Expect to walk through one or two past projects in significant detail — interviewers want to understand your specific role, the engineering decisions you made, constraints you worked within, and quantified outcomes you achieved. For manufacturing-oriented roles, be ready to discuss lean tools, root cause analysis methodologies (5-Why, fishbone, 8D), and examples of yield or quality improvements. For design engineering roles, you may be asked about simulation tools, material selection rationale, or design-for-manufacturing trade-offs. Having a clear, concise narrative for your most impactful project — with numbers — is essential preparation.
Can I apply to multiple BorgWarner positions at the same time?
Yes, Workday allows you to apply to multiple BorgWarner openings using a single candidate profile. However, apply selectively and only to roles where your qualifications are a genuine match. With a relatively small number of active postings (often around 16), BorgWarner's recruiting team has visibility across applications, and submitting to many unrelated roles can suggest a lack of focus or career direction. If two or three roles genuinely align with your background, tailor the emphasis of your resume and any cover letter to each specific posting. Quality over quantity is the right approach at a company of BorgWarner's size and hiring volume.
What is BorgWarner's 'Charging Forward' strategy and why should applicants care about it?
Charging Forward is BorgWarner's enterprise-wide strategic plan to transform from a combustion-centric powertrain supplier into a leader in electrified mobility. The strategy involves significant R&D investment, acquisitions (including Delphi Technologies), and the development of integrated electric drive systems, battery modules, and power electronics. For applicants, understanding this strategy is essential because it signals where the company's growth, investment, and hiring priorities are concentrated. Referencing Charging Forward in your application materials — and articulating how your skills contribute to it — demonstrates strategic awareness that distinguishes you from candidates who view BorgWarner through its legacy product lens alone.

Open Positions

BorgWarner currently has 206 open positions.

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 206 open positions at BorgWarner

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Sources

  1. BorgWarner Careers Portal — BorgWarner Inc.
  2. BorgWarner Charging Forward Strategy Overview — BorgWarner Inc.
  3. BorgWarner Company Reviews and Interview Insights — Glassdoor
  4. BorgWarner Inc. Company Profile — BorgWarner Inc.