Senior Calibration Engineer– Production Vehicle Evaluation Test Engineer

Job Description

The Team:

Have you ever been driving a vehicle when the dreaded Check Engine Light comes on? Maybe you have even been quizzed my friends and relatives about why their light is on and “if it’s really that serious?” Did you ever wonder what exactly that thing is that the AutoZone cashier uses to hook up to your vehicle and tell you why your MIL is on? Or maybe you have just wondered on occasion how the engine is able to diagnose itself and alert you to a possible issue? If any of this sounds familiar and you are curious to learn about engine calibration, control systems, OBDII Diagnostics and perform hands on testing, this job is for you! 

We are looking for an enthusiastic and hard-working engineer to join our team as the Production Vehicle Evaluation (PVE) Validation Engineer. Our team contributes to General Motor's vision of Zero Collisions through ensuring the engine diagnostics monitors detect faults appropriately and provide the driver opportunity to bring the vehicle to a safe stop.

The Role:

The Senior Calibration Engineer – Production Vehicle Evaluation Test Engineer is a key technical leader responsible for planning, executing, and improving Production Vehicle Evaluation Testing (PVET) to ensure GM vehicles meet global OBD, emissions, and diagnostic compliance. This role combines deep vehicle diagnostics expertise, strong hands-on vehicle test execution, and cross-functional leadership to drive first-time quality and robust regulatory compliance.

The PVE Validation Engineer is an Individual contributor responsible for demonstrating OBD II diagnostics on production vehicles and providing test deliverables within six months of start of regular production. In this position, you will be responsible for performing in vehicles hands-on testing to confirm compliance to the California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulations.  

• Confirm that all engine diagnostics are functional on Production vehicles.
• Demonstrate the ability of engine diagnostics to illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) when a fault is present.
• Submit documentation of the required testing within 6 months of start of regular production.

In this position as the PVE Validation engineer, you will be working with production vehicles at the Milford Proving Grounds. The PVE Validation engineer must coordinate and perform diagnostic testing (sometimes on multiple vehicles at once) and be able to execute the test plan for each vehicle application on time. Most of this testing is completed by the person in this role, so a bit of autonomy and independence is required.

However, there are times when issues arise and the PVET engineer must have the personal savvy to work cross-organizationally with different Calibration teams, Algorithm Design Engineers, and Technical Specialists to determine if the diagnostic is functioning as intended in order to complete testing.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities):

PVET Planning & Execution

• Work closely with the Validation/OBD Lead to ensure that all vehicles are ordered and arrive on time.
• Own PVET test planning for assigned programs (test coverage, schedules, vehicle configurations, and lab/garage coordination).
• Collaborate with other PVET engineers on best test methods and practices.
• Lead in-vehicle and lab-based PVET execution to validate OBD, diagnostics.
• Work closely with calibrators, algorithm designers, Technical Specialists to determine if we are seeing the expected diagnostics result.
• Ensure tests are executed safely, efficiently, and with first-time quality.

Diagnostics, Data Analysis & Compliance

• Apply deep understanding of diagnostic enables conditions and fault strategies to design and execute PVET maneuvers that reliably set and clear the diagnostics.
• Mine and interpret serial data, and log files to diagnose issues, confirm compliance with OBD regulations.
• Partner with Calibration and Software teams to ensure PVET results are understood, issues are root-caused, and corrective actions are validated.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Mentoring

• Act as a go-to technical resource for PVET, diagnostics, and automation.
• Mentor PVET and calibration engineers through in-vehicle training, lab-based coaching, documentation, and step-by-step guides.

Documentation, Process & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain high-quality documentation of PVET test plans, configurations, procedures, templates, and results to support repeatability in testing.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, or related field).
• 7+ years relevant industry experience and diagnostics.
• Valid US Driver's License with ability to operate test vehicles.
• In possession of Milford Proving Ground (MPG) Level 2 Driving Privileges or willingness to certify.

Technical Skills

• Extensive knowledge of electronics and circuits, including the ability to interpret schematics, understand controller I/O, and diagnose control-system sensor and actuator issues.
• Deep understanding of engine/propulsion control systems, OBD diagnostics, OBD-II modes, and serial data communication.
• Proficiency with vehicle data and diagnostic tools such as Vehicle Spy/Serial Data Suite, and related GM tools; ability to mine data logs and other logs for trends and compliance gaps.

Behavioral & Leadership Competencies

• Proven data judgement and analytical thinking, consistently using data to prioritize issues, make tradeoffs, and recommend solutions in complex, ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated process improvement mindset, driving automation, standardization, and simplification of testing while coaching others through change.
• Experience mentoring and training peers and junior engineers and managing workload and priorities across multiple programs and stakeholders.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience as a PVET Engineer, Diagnostics Calibrator, Automation & Tools Engineer, Test Automation Engineer, Diagnostic Strategist, OBD Diagnostics and Automation Engineer or similar role.
• Familiarity with OBD and emissions regulations and how they translate into PVET test design.
• Familiarity with Diagnostics.
• Previous experience with vehicle electrical systems & schematics.
• Experience with Python scripting or coding.

#LI-DH2

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc). This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}. This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate. This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis and successfully complete a Motor Vehicle Report review.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

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