Automakers Seek Electronics Experts
By Michelle Krebs August 20, 2007If The Graduate were remade today, the advice to Benjamin for a certain life of corporate success would center around âelectronicsâ instead of plastics.
Indeed, about the only jobs in Detroitâs auto industry are in electronics to work on hybrids and the like.
Ford is looking for 70 engineers for its hybrid program, the Detroit Free Press reported over the weekend. Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid vehicle programs, told the paper that the company is taking out full-page ads in local and national newspapers to find qualified candidates.
Gioia said Ford needs engineers with highly specialized experience in batteries, controls and electrical systems, as well as noise, vibration and harshness. Proven engineers with that kind of expertise are in high demand and short supply, she said.
The same goes for GM, which is looking for about 400 engineers who specialize in electronics, especially electronic controls for hybrids and electric vehicles.
Similarly, battery makers are in the hunt for such experts as well. Compact Power Inc., in Troy, Michigan, and A123Systems Inc., of Watertown, Massachusetts, two firms GM hired to develop lithium-ion batteries, are hiring. Compact wants to add 10 engineers to its workforce of 25 by the end of the year. A123, which has a research arm in Ann Arbor, Michigan, also is hiring engineers to work on the Chevrolet Volt and Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid, the Free Press reported.
LEAVE A COMMENT
Click here to comment on this entry.I am interested, Nancy Gioria, in sharing my experience of owning the Ford car that was the FIRST plug in, hybrid, tribrid and quadbrid at world famous Bonneville Salt Flats and other raceways. Please Google "Quadbrid" or "Brent Singleton Environment" for more information and let me know if I can help?
For Nancy Gioria, I sent Ford's information in early 2006 before GM came out showing the Volt at the auto show the same thing about running a car totally on battery with a diesel engine recharging the battery. Ford New Ideas Administrator sent the letter back, it read that I had to submit the letter and Idea thru a new websit (No wonder Ford is so far behind the curve).
This country has has been making batteries for car for over 100 years and we have been so lazy in research that we have put a man on the moon in less time. The rest of the world will solve our problems before any US company or our government can, NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY WE THROW AT IT.
This is not the first time this has come up. The industry is desperate for new ideas, it seems. But how does it handle them? We'll look into this. Thanks for your feedback.
When I advocate PHEV`s to my friends (who own Harleys, bass boats, guns and other expensive toys) that`s ok but mention a $2500 premium to have an electric option and immediately out pops the calculator!
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