Sr Traction Motor Technologist

Job Purpose

Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains. Serving three primary markets passenger vehicle, commercial truck, and the off-highway Equipment.

 

Dana provides the world’s original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities.

The Senior Traction Motor Technologist is a recognized technical authority responsible for leading complex electric motor development activities from concept through production. This role provides technical leadership across multiple programs, drives design quality and robustness, and plays a key role in defining engineering strategy, risk mitigation, and product performance.
The incumbent is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, influence cross functional teams, mentor less experienced engineers, and represent Dana as a trusted technical expert with customers and suppliers.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Ownership
  
  • Lead the technical execution of complex traction motor programs, including architecture definition, design decisions, validation strategy, and technical risk management.
  • Serve as a technical authority for electric motor design, providing guidance and design approval across multiple projects.
  • Own and drive DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, and gated deliverables, ensuring consistency with customer and Dana engineering standards.
  • Proactively identify technical risks and lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for field, validation, or production issues.
• Product Development & Validation
  • Lead end to end development activities including: 
    • Motor electromagnetic, thermal, mechanical, and NVH design concepts
    • CAD, tolerance stack ups, and GD&T application
    • CAE/FEA interpretation and coordination with analysis teams
    • Prototype builds, DV/PV testing, and production validation 
  • Define and maintain robust validation strategies aligned with customer requirements, program timing, and product risk.
  • Analyze complex test and field data to drive design improvements and long term product robustness.
• Cross Functional & Customer Interaction
  • Act as a primary technical interface with customers, suppliers, manufacturing, validation, quality, and purchasing teams.
  • Lead technical discussions with customers, including design justifications, issue resolution, cost trade offs, and performance compliance.
  • Ensure alignment between engineering intent, manufacturing capability, and product cost targets.
• Strategic & Continuous Improvement
  • Drive cost, weight, performance, and manufacturability optimization initiatives, balancing customer requirements and business objectives.
  • Contribute to technology roadmaps, best practices, and standards development within the traction motor organization.
  • Support APQP, launch readiness, and post SOP continuous improvement activities.
• Mentorship & Talent Development
  • Mentor and technically coach junior and mid level engineers.
  • Provide technical guidance, peer reviews, and knowledge transfer to strengthen team capability.
  • Support a culture of engineering rigor, accountability, and continuous learning.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or equivalent); Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in electric motor or electrified powertrain development.

Skills

• Demonstrated experience leading DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, and complex technical problem solving.
• Strong understanding of automotive product development processes and gated program execution.
• Proficiency with CAE tools (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS, FEA tools) and strong ability to interpret results.
• Advanced knowledge of GD&T, drawing interpretation, and tolerance stack ups.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and influence without direct authority.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally.