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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Showing 5 of 12+ Performance Engineer jobs
We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.
As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.
When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you'll collaborate on some of the world's toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
Job Description:
- The HVAC System Performance Engineer will ensure that vehicle functional objectives are achieved and will recommend actions to the Product team.
- The selected candidate will conduct reviews of functional systems including virtual simulation analysis, refrigerant and air moving systems status with program chiefs, development test planning with lab engineers, and over the road test trip execution for assigned programs.
- The Engineer will also lead the communications and reporting of issues which include status updates and driving issue resolution.
- The HVAC System Performance Engineer will be responsible for proactive planning and tracking of vehicle validation, active support of climate system attributes, and DVP&R test and reporting.
Position Requirements:
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited university
- 3+ years of relevant engineering experience
- Experience with HVAC or cooling systems and thermal development
- Experience with data acquisition systems
- Ability to work with cross functional teams
- Driver's License
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with drive cell / wind tunnel testing
- Experience with vehicle calibration (ETAS and/or Vector software products) a plus
- Experience working with and directing bargaining unit mechanics
- Proven ability to lead teams
- Chauffeur's License or willingness and ability to get one
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.
Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.
Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.
We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.
As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.
When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you'll collaborate on some of the world's toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
Job Description:
- The HVAC System Performance Engineer will ensure that vehicle functional objectives are achieved and will recommend actions to the Product team.
- The selected candidate will conduct reviews of functional systems including virtual simulation analysis, refrigerant and air moving systems status with program chiefs, development test planning with lab engineers, and over the road test trip execution for assigned programs.
- The Engineer will also lead the communications and reporting of issues which include status updates and driving issue resolution.
- The HVAC System Performance Engineer will be responsible for proactive planning and tracking of vehicle validation, active support of climate system attributes, and DVP&R test and reporting.
Position Requirements:
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited university
- 3+ years of relevant engineering experience
- Experience with HVAC or cooling systems and thermal development
- Experience with data acquisition systems
- Ability to work with cross functional teams
- Driver's License
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with drive cell / wind tunnel testing
- Experience with vehicle calibration (ETAS and/or Vector software products) a plus
- Experience working with and directing bargaining unit mechanics
- Proven ability to lead teams
- Chauffeur's License or willingness and ability to get one
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.
Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.
Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.
See All 12 Performance Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Performance Engineer JobsPerformance Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Performance Engineer Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Consulting & Professional Services
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 May Mobility, General Motors (GM), and KLA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 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 Auburn Hills, Ann Arbor, and Warren. 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 50% of performance engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of October 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.
Find Performance Engineer Jobs