Performance Engineer Jobs in Michigan

Performance Engineer jobs in Michigan are in strong demand, concentrated in automotive systems, advanced manufacturing, and test and validation engineering, with openings at every level from entry-level test engineers through principal performance architects. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids account for the largest share of hiring, where established employers like General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis maintain deep performance engineering teams across powertrain, software, and vehicle dynamics. Michigan's automotive heritage makes it one of the most active markets in the country for structural, NVH, and embedded performance specializations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles12
Top employerKLA
Top cityAnn Arbor, MI
Cities hiring6
Work type60% On-site
Top industryAutomotive

Showing 4 of 12+ Performance Engineer jobs

Pratt Miller
Motorsports Performance Engineer
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Pratt Miller
Added 1d ago
Motorsports Performance Engineer
Pratt Miller
New Hudson, Michigan
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
$65k - $104k/yr
Bachelor of Science

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Stellantis
EMAT Thermal Project Performance Engineer
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Stellantis
Added 1w ago
EMAT Thermal Project Performance Engineer
Stellantis
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
10,000+

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General Motors
Automated Driving Performance HIL Infrastructure Engineer
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General Motors
Added 1mo ago
Automated Driving Performance HIL Infrastructure Engineer
General Motors
Milford, Michigan
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Automotive Engineering
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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KLA
High Performance Compute (HPC) Software Engineer
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KLA
Added 1mo ago
High Performance Compute (HPC) Software Engineer
KLA
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Backend Engineering
$106k - $180k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 12 Performance Engineer Jobs in Michigan

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Performance Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan

Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Ann Arbor
3 jobs
Auburn Hills
3 jobs
Detroit
2 jobs
Milford
2 jobs
Warren
1 job
New Hudson
1 job

Performance Engineer Job Market in Michigan

A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

KLA
KLA2 open roles
Stellantis
Stellantis2 open roles
General Motors (GM)
General Motors (GM)2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Automotive
  • Manufacturing
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Distribution & Wholesale

What Michigan Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in performance engineer jobs across Michigan.

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering from an accredited institution
  • Experience with performance testing, simulation tools, or validation methodologies in automotive or manufacturing environments
  • Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent modeling and data analysis software
  • Familiarity with automotive standards such as ASPICE, ISO 26262, or IATF 16949
  • Ability to design test plans, interpret results, and communicate findings to cross-functional teams
  • Professional Engineer license issued or recognized in Michigan preferred for senior roles

Performance Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a performance engineer in Michigan?

Most performance engineers in Michigan start with a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering from a program accredited by ABET. From there, the typical path leads into automotive or manufacturing employers in the Detroit metro region, where hands-on test and validation experience is built on the job. Senior or consulting roles often require or reward a Professional Engineer license issued through the Michigan Board of Licensure for Engineers, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams.

Which companies hire performance engineers in Michigan?

Employers hiring performance engineers in Michigan right now include KLA, Stellantis, and General Motors (GM), based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Michigan's automotive supply chain also means Tier 1 suppliers such as BorgWarner, Aptiv, and Magna International are consistent sources of performance engineering openings throughout the state.

Which Michigan cities have the most performance engineer jobs?

The cities with the most performance engineer openings in Michigan are Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, and Detroit. Detroit anchors the market as the historic home of the Big Three automakers and their dense networks of engineering centers, while Ann Arbor draws demand from University of Michigan spin-offs, automotive R&D campuses, and mobility technology firms, and Grand Rapids contributes openings tied to advanced manufacturing and automotive component suppliers in West Michigan.

Are there remote performance engineer jobs in Michigan?

Yes, but they're rare. Performance engineering in Michigan is heavily tied to physical testing, validation labs, and vehicle programs that require on-site presence, so most roles remain in-person or on a hybrid schedule. About 40% of performance engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with the remote-eligible work concentrated in data analysis, simulation modeling, and program management functions rather than hands-on test execution.

How can I get hired as a performance engineer in Michigan with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a co-op or internship with one of Michigan's large automotive employers, many of whom run structured programs for students and recent graduates. General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis all operate formal early-career engineering rotations based in Metro Detroit. Adjacent roles like test technician, validation engineer, or quality engineer at Tier 1 suppliers are strong lateral moves that build the hands-on experience hiring managers look for. Completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early and building a portfolio of simulation or data analysis projects strengthens a Michigan application considerably.

Where can I find and apply to performance engineer jobs in Michigan?

You can find and apply to performance engineer jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings from employers across the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.

See All 12 Performance Engineer Jobs in Michigan

Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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