Lead Electrical / Embedded Systems Engineer

THE COMPANY

Founded in 1946, HI-LEX is a leading supplier of window regulators, door modules, power lift gate systems, and mechanical control cables primarily serving the automotive industry, but also the power sports, marine, construction equipment, and medical device sectors.

Headquartered in Takarazuka, Japan (near Osaka), and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), HI-LEX employs more than 12,000 associates across its global footprint.

In the Americas region, HI-LEX has grown steadily in the region, and now has ten (10) manufacturing facilities across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. In the U.S., HI-LEX operates under three divisions: HI-LEX America in Battle Creek, Michigan; HI-LEX Controls in Hudson, Litchfield, and Hazel Park, Michigan; and Daedong HI-LEX of America in Cusseta, Alabama.

The company’s automotive center is in Rochester Hills, Michigan which consists of finance, sales, engineering, testing, and program management, and will serve as the location for the new Lead Electrical / Embedded Systems Engineer.

Website

HI-LEX.com

[[JD_HEADING:POSITION SUMMARY

The]]

Lead Electrical / Embedded Systems Engineer is the technical lead for motor electronics and embedded software on the HI-LEX Engineering / R&D team.

Based at the Rochester Hills Technical Center and reporting to the Director of Engineering, the role leads development of the next-generation HI-LEX smart window lifter motors as the company brings the design and manufacture of the integrated hardware and software within its motor drives in-house.

The Lead Electrical / Embedded Systems Engineer owns the electronics (PCBA) and embedded software that drive the motor, ensuring seamless communication with vehicle body controllers and strict adherence to automotive safety standards.

The role works closely with the established HI-LEX divisions in Italy (HLIT) and Japan (HLJ) to learn from their existing technologies and adapt best practices, and serves as the primary technical liaison with external PCB Assembly partners and automotive OEM customers. This is a ground-floor opportunity at the forefront of the strategic transition to intelligent, fully integrated smart motors.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead hardware and software development

+ Design, develop and integrate embedded electronics (PCBA) and software for automotive window lifter motors.

+ Develop robust embedded C/C++ code for motor control, diagnostics and system management.

+ Implement and calibrate precise anti-pinch (anti-trap) protection algorithms and ensure all automotive safety requirements are met (e.g. FMVSS 118, ISO 26262).

• Integrate with vehicle networks

+ Develop and validate communication interfaces using automotive networking protocols, specifically CAN and LIN bus, to integrate seamlessly with OEM body control modules (BCM).

• Drive cross-functional and global collaboration

+ Partner directly with the HLIT division in Italy and HLJ in Japan through knowledge-sharing, technology transfer and joint development sessions to align global engineering standards.

+ Manage the relationship with external PCB Assembly (PCBA) contract manufacturers, overseeing design for manufacturability (DFM), prototyping and transition to mass production.

• Own the OEM customer interface and validation

+ Work directly with automotive OEMs to capture system requirements, define technical specifications and resolve engineering challenges.

+ Lead hardware and software validation efforts, ensuring the product passes all OEM-specific testing, environmental and approval requirements

Education

• Required: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or Software Engineering from an accredited institution
• Preferred: Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Optional: Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Functional Experience

• 5+ years of experience in embedded systems engineering (hardware and software), ideally within the automotive tier-1 or tier-2 supplier industry.
• Proven background in motor control systems and electro-mechanical integration.
• Experience taking a product from concept through PCBA manufacturing and into mass production.
• Preferred: previous experience dealing directly with major automotive OEMs for product qualification and PPAP approval.
• Preferred: experience working with international engineering teams.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ programming.
• Strong microprocessor-based motor electronics design.
• Hands-on experience with automotive communication protocols (LIN, CAN).
• Experience designing and testing safety-critical algorithms (e.g. pinch protection).
• Preferred: familiarity with automotive functional safety standards (ISO 26262).
• Excellent English communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both internal stakeholders and external OEM customers.
• Ability to travel to HI-LEX global divisions, PCBA partners and OEM customers, domestically and internationally.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
• Office environment with noise from computer peripherals such as printers.
• Periodic factory visits with noise from manufacturing equipment
• Office environment with noise from cellphones, group conversations or virtual meetings