Software Design Engineer

Job Description

Dorman was founded on the belief that people should have greater freedom to fix motor vehicles. For over 100 years, we have been driving new solutions, releasing tens of thousands of aftermarket replacement products engineered to save time and money, and increase convenience and reliability. Founded and headquartered in the United States, we are a pioneering global organization offering an always-evolving catalog of automotive, heavy-duty, and specialty vehicle products. ?Today, we have more than 3,500 employees across 29 different locations, with a family of brands that also includes SuperATV and Dayton Parts. Publicly traded under the stock ticker DORM, reaching a revenue of $2 billion in 2024. Everyone who works at Dorman is called a Contributor. We need everyone, regardless of role and experience, to contribute to our success. That means everyone has a unique ability to make an impact on the business. We encourage all our Contributors to bring their authentic selves to work. The freedom to pursue new ideas, offer different perspectives, and grow in your career is fundamental to working at Dorman. Job Summary We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Model-Based Design Engineer with a strong background in MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape to support the development of advanced automotive control systems. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics, thermal systems, hydraulics, and automotive electronics, and will play a key role in designing, simulating, and validating embedded software for complex vehicle systems. Primary Duties Develop dynamic plant models using MATLAB Simulink and Simscape for components including motors, actuators, sensors, and electrical or thermal systems. Convert system-level requirements and design specifications into accurate simulation models Lead the modelling process from conceptual design through to fully validated and functional simulation models. Implement domain-specific modelling (electrical, mechanical, thermal, hydraulic) for real-world physical systems and verify behavioral accuracy. Analyze system dynamics such as time constants, transfer functions, and non-linear behavior to simulate operational performance. Derive Mathematical models from physical and mechanical specifications using differential or algebraic equations. Design and develop a Model-in-the-Loop (MIL) environment by integrating the application and plant models, with control facilitated through a graphical user interface (GUI). Enhance simulation performance by configuring solvers and applying system reduction strategies for speed and accuracy. Execute functional models to validate algorithms and logic under varying conditions. Integrate physical system models (electrical, mechanical, thermal, hydraulic) with 3D visual simulations. Conduct simulation-based validation, analysis, and optimization to ensure correct system behavior and model reusability Calibrate model parameters using test data and optimize models for real-time execution when required. Collaborate with system engineers, embedded software, and Mechanical teams for end-to-end system validation. Maintain comprehensive documentation of model architecture, interfaces, design assumptions, and test procedures. Maintain model versioning and documentation in line with project delivery standards. Qualifications Strong proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink and Simscape, with experience in multibody dynamics, Electrical and other Simscape tools. Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics, thermal systems, hydraulics, and electrical systems. Strong knowledge of automotive electronics, sensors, and related systems. Familiarity with automotive design processes and industry-standard testing methodologies. Skilled in correlating simulation outputs with experimental data from lab or field tests. Solid understanding of differential equations, Laplace transforms, transfer function modeling, and control systems Hands-on experience with processing and analyzing measured data for model calibration and validation. Proficiency in model validation, parameter tuning, and signal processing using real-world data. Familiar with embedded systems development, real-time simulation, and both HiL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) and SiL (Software-in-the-Loop) frameworks. Familiarity with model optimization for real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) use cases Understanding of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, FlexRay) and tools such as Vector CANalyzer, CANape, INCA, and VSpy. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills. Education / Experience Bachelor?s or master?s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, or equivalent Minimum 2 years of experience in Automotive Electronics Product Development Dorman Products is an equal opportunity employer; we value a combination of ideas, perspectives, and cultures at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. EEO/AA Employer M/F/D/V. www.DormanProducts.com