Senior eCall Systems Engineer
Contechs Consulting
Position Title: Senior Design Release Engineer
Duration: Contract
Location: Southfield, MI. USA
Role Overview:
- As a Senior Design Release Engineer, you will lead the end-to-end delivery of Emergency Call (eCall) and telematics-based safety systems, with a strong emphasis on system architecture, connectivity, integration, and regulatory compliance.
- You will be the Feature Owner for Emergency Call Systems (eCall/NG-eCall), Minimum Set of Data (MSD), and Crash-triggered communication workflows, responsible for defining, developing, and validating these features within a complex vehicle ecosystem.
- This role also includes support and sustaining responsibility for legacy Restraint Control Module (RCM) systems, ensuring continued robustness, regulatory compliance, and integration with next-generation eCall solutions.
- This position requires cross-functional collaboration across hardware, software, connectivity, and compliance domains.
Key Responsibilities:
System Design & Feature Ownership (eCall-Centric)
- Own Emergency Call (eCall) systems, including:
- Automatic Crash Notification (ACN)
- Manual eCall trigger (SOS)
- Minimum Set of Data (MSD) generation and transmission
- Define and document feature scope, performance requirements, and regulatory constraints (e.g., EN 15722, ECE R144, NG-eCall standards).
- Architect and allocate system functionality across telematics ECUs, RCM, GNSS, and communication modules.
- Lead development of system-level interfaces, including:
- CAN/Ethernet communication between RCM and telematics units
- Cellular modem interfaces and PSAP communication protocols
- Define end-to-end crash-to-call workflows, including trigger conditions, data packaging, and call establishment timing.
- Ensure traceability from requirements through validation using MBSE and requirements management tools.
Legacy RCM Support & Integration
- Provide sustaining engineering support for Restraint Control Module (RCM) systems and associated crash detection logic.
- Support bug triage, field issue resolution, and continuous improvement for legacy safety systems.
- Ensure compatibility between existing crash event signals and new eCall/telematics architectures.
- Collaborate with passive safety teams during crash testing and correlation activities.
Safety, Compliance & Validation
- Define and execute validation plans for eCall systems, including:
- End-to-end call success rate
- MSD accuracy and encoding validation
- Network performance under varying conditions
- Ensure compliance with:
- Regulatory standards (ECE R144, EN 15722, EN 16072, NG-eCall)
- Regional homologation requirements (EU, UK, other markets)
- Functional safety standards (ISO 26262) where applicable
- Support PSAP simulator testing, certification activities, and homologation submissions.
- Define fault detection, fallback modes, and diagnostics strategies (e.g., no network, GNSS failure, partial MSD).
- Ensure readiness for OTA updates, cybersecurity requirements, and remote diagnostics.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Manage Tier 1 suppliers delivering telematics ECUs, connectivity modules, and RCM components.
- Act as the primary technical interface for eCall-related supplier deliverables and issue resolution.
- Coordinate with:
- Connectivity and telematics teams (modem, network provisioning)
- Cybersecurity teams (secure communication, authentication)
- Diagnostics teams (DTCs, serviceability)
- UX/HMI teams (SOS button behaviour, user alerts, call status feedback)
- Work with homologation and regulatory teams to ensure market readiness.
- Partner with Passive Safety and Crash teams to validate trigger conditions and system performance in real crash events.
Program Execution
- Drive feature development milestones aligned with vehicle program timing.
- Support sourcing decisions by evaluating supplier capabilities in telematics and safety systems.
- Track and report:
- Feature maturity
- Integration risks
- Validation progress
- Lead issue resolution for field and test failures, including root cause and corrective actions.
- Champion robust system engineering practices and continuous improvement across lifecycle delivery.
Qualifications:
Required
- Proven track record in vehicle electrical systems and system integration, preferably in safety or telematics domains.
- Experience with eCall, telematics systems, or crash notification architectures.
- Strong understanding of vehicle network architectures (CAN, LIN, Ethernet).
- Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements for emergency call systems.
- Experience with on-board diagnostics, fault management, and system validation.
- Solid engineering fundamentals and structured problem-solving approach.
- Ability to communicate complex system behaviour across engineering and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong supplier management and cross-functional leadership skills.
- High attention to detail and commitment to delivering safety-critical systems.
Advantageous
- Experience with:
- EN 15722 (MSD), EN 16072, ECE R144, NG-eCall architectures
- PSAP simulator testing and homologation processes
- Background in Restraint Control Modules or passive safety systems
- Knowledge of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) and ASPICE
- Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements for connected vehicles
- Experience with requirements tools (Jama, DOORS, Polarion)
- Experience with embedded software and telematics hardware integration
- Exposure to global regulatory environments (EU, China, North America)
Education:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- Advanced degree preferred
- We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
Employment is at will and may be terminated by either party at any time.
We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us if you need assistance in the application process
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Application opens at the source listing. Free for jobseekers.