Senior Design Release (Crash & Safety) Engineer

Title: : Senior Design Release Engineer

Location: Southfield, Michigan 48076, USA

Duration: 06+ Months

Position Summary :

Job Summary:

Role Overview

As a Senior Design Release Engineer, you will lead the end-to-end delivery of Emergency Call (eCall) and telematics-based safety systems, with a strong emphasis on system architecture, connectivity, integration, and regulatory compliance.

You will be the Feature Owner for Emergency Call Systems (eCall/NG-eCall), Minimum Set of Data (MSD), and Crash-triggered communication workflows, responsible for defining, developing, and validating these features within a complex vehicle ecosystem.

This role also includes support and sustaining responsibility for legacy Restraint Control Module (RCM) systems, ensuring continued robustness, regulatory compliance, and integration with next-generation eCall solutions.

This position requires cross-functional collaboration across hardware, software, connectivity, and compliance domains.

Key Responsibilities

System Design & Feature Ownership (eCall-Centric)

• Own Emergency Call (eCall) systems, including:

o Automatic Crash Notification (ACN)

o Manual eCall trigger (SOS)

o Minimum Set of Data (MSD) generation and transmission

• Define and document feature scope, performance requirements, and regulatory constraints (e.g., EN 15722, ECE R144, NG-eCall standards).

• Architect and allocate system functionality across telematics ECUs, RCM, GNSS, and communication modules.

• Lead development of system-level interfaces, including:

o CAN/Ethernet communication between RCM and telematics units

o Cellular modem interfaces and PSAP communication protocols

• Define end-to-end crash-to-call workflows, including trigger conditions, data packaging, and call establishment timing.

• Ensure traceability from requirements through validation using MBSE and requirements management tools.

Legacy RCM Support & Integration

• Provide sustaining engineering support for Restraint Control Module (RCM) systems and associated crash detection logic.

• Support bug triage, field issue resolution, and continuous improvement for legacy safety systems.

• Ensure compatibility between existing crash event signals and new eCall/telematics architectures.

• Collaborate with passive safety teams during crash testing and correlation activities.

Safety, Compliance & Validation

• Define and execute validation plans for eCall systems, including:

o End-to-end call success rate

o MSD accuracy and encoding validation

o Network performance under varying conditions

• Ensure compliance with:

o Regulatory standards (ECE R144, EN 15722, EN 16072, NG-eCall)

o Regional homologation requirements (EU, UK, other markets)

o Functional safety standards (ISO 26262) where applicable

• Support PSAP simulator testing, certification activities, and homologation submissions.

• Define fault detection, fallback modes, and diagnostics strategies (e.g., no network, GNSS failure, partial MSD).

• Ensure readiness for OTA updates, cybersecurity requirements, and remote diagnostics.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Manage Tier 1 suppliers delivering telematics ECUs, connectivity modules, and RCM components.

• Act as the primary technical interface for eCall-related supplier deliverables and issue resolution.

Coordinate with:

o Connectivity and telematics teams (modem, network provisioning)

o Cybersecurity teams (secure communication, authentication)

o Diagnostics teams (DTCs, serviceability)

o UX/HMI teams (SOS button behavior, user alerts, call status feedback)

• Work with homologation and regulatory teams to ensure market readiness.

• Partner with Passive Safety and Crash teams to validate trigger conditions and system performance in real crash events.

Program Execution

• Drive feature development milestones aligned with vehicle program timing.

• Support sourcing decisions by evaluating supplier capabilities in telematics and safety systems.

• Track and report:

o Feature maturity

o Integration risks

o Validation progress

• Lead issue resolution for field and test failures, including root cause and corrective actions.

• Champion robust system engineering practices and continuous improvement across lifecycle delivery.

Required

• Proven track record in vehicle electrical systems and system integration, preferably in safety or telematics domains.

• Experience with eCall, telematics systems, or crash notification architectures.

• Strong understanding of vehicle network architectures (CAN, LIN, Ethernet).

• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements for emergency call systems.

• Experience with on-board diagnostics, fault management, and system validation.

• Solid engineering fundamentals and structured problem-solving approach.

• Ability to communicate complex system behavior across engineering and non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong supplier management and cross-functional leadership skills.

• High attention to detail and commitment to delivering safety-critical systems.

Advantageous

Experience with:

o EN 15722 (MSD), EN 16072, ECE R144, NG-eCall architectures

o PSAP simulator testing and homologation processes

• Background in Restraint Control Modules or passive safety systems

• Knowledge of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) and ASPICE

• Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements for connected vehicles

• Experience with requirements tools (Jama, DOORS, Polarion)

• Experience with embedded software and telematics hardware integration

• Exposure to global regulatory environments (EU, China, North America)

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

• Advanced degree preferred