Kawasaki Motors Career Opportunities
Do you have a VERIFIABLE Bachelors or higher degree in mechanical or electrical engineering?
How many years of professional experience do you have as a Calibration Engineer?
Within the last 5 years, what role did the following play in your job:
Main focus of role is/was as a Calibration Engineer of engines
Please note that this position is no longer available.
If you would like to be considered for similar opportunities now or in the future, feel free to apply and/or set up a notifier for yourself.
Calibration Engineer
MI - Grand Rapids
or
Apply with

Leverage Your Talent to Join an Industry Leader & Work on Interesting, Full-Cycle Engine Projects

Enjoy work-life balance and an upbeat culture in new state-of-the-art R&D facility.

This is a unique opportunity to align your career with an industry leader where you will be challenged with an array of engine projects and enjoy a healthy, engaged culture. If you are a skilled calibration engineer who is passionate about engines, this role offers multiple advantages. You will: Kawasaki Engines, a division of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., distributes gasoline engines for landscape, industrial, and consumer markets. The division is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It sells to and services customers through a network of more than 40 OEMs, 15 distributors, and more than 7,750 independent dealers throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, select countries in Central and South America, and the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, including Guam.

Video: when you fire up a Kawasaki turf engine, a world of innovation, technology and experience goes to work for you. Robust power is in our DNA. No wonder we can help our dealers' businesses grow.

The Requirements

To be a good fit for the Calibration Engineer opportunity, you should have:
  • A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent engineering degree Quick question for you - click here
  • At least 4 years of experience with engines  Quick question for you - click here
  • Knowledge of:
    • Fuel injection calibration strategies and technologies
    • Data acquisition systems and sensors
    • Combustion analysis tools
    • Design of experiments
  • Proficiency with INCA, ETAS and MDA calibration tools
  • Experience with Engine Test Bed & Dynamometer Automation
  • Solid understanding of internal combustion engine fundamentals (particularly 4-stroke gasoline) 
  • Emphasis on controls systems a plus
  • Model based calibration experience a plus
In addition to your technical skills, success will require the following core competencies and characteristics.
  • Excellent data processing, analysis and management skills
  • Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills 
  • Ability to work independently with limited supervision and as a strong contributing member of a team
  • Focused, detail oriented and capable of learning complex systems
  • Proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
You also must be able to travel periodically to test locations and suppliers. We anticipate travel to be no more than 10% to 15% of the time.

When you join us, you will be able to pick between 3 shift options: 7 AM - 4 PM or 8 AM - 5 PM Monday through Friday with a one-hour lunch; or 7:30 AM - 5:15 PM with a 45-minute lunch and every other Friday off.  

The Role

Reporting to the Calibration Supervisor, you will join a small calibration team including your supervisor and two Engineers. While you will work closely with your small team, which will grow as we add more and more fuel-injected engines, you'll also interact with the larger, 50+ person R&D team for testing and data generation. The Grand Rapids facility includes test areas and other labs, as well as office space, but manufacturing is done in other locations.

With a moderate level of independence, you will own the technical responsibility for engine calibration and deployment from the prototype stage through to production, while supporting engine hardware development as needed. At any given time you can expect to be working on multiple projects at different stages. Projects will vary, but they typically last one to two years. While you will have independent responsibilities, teamwork is an important part of our process.  Quick question for you - click here

As part of your specific responsibilities, you will:
  • Provide fuel injection calibrations to achieve emissions and performance targets
  • Recommend changes to the calibration strategies, testing procedures or engine hardware to achieve target objectives
  • Perform standardized, prescribed or diverse test assignments while maintaining detailed test records
  • With occasional assistance, perform setup and instrumentation of calibration vehicles and engines
  • Utilize precision test equipment and measurement devices
  • Effectively communicate within the company and with suppliers to discuss schedules, program needs and test data
  • Coordinate test vehicles and necessary test equipment
  • Participate in vehicle test sessions in different locations (summer and winter)
  • Handle projects and project documentation according to specified processes
  • Perform release procedures (verification and validation) for different sample stages as well as final production software
  • Validate the calibration under various noise factors
  • Provide detailed instrumentation and test requirements to technicians
  • Refine and run powertrain models to characterize system interactions & sensitivities, as well as to develop process control requirements and calibration approaches
  • Check data quality and correct problems when issues are found
  • Interpret results and assimilate findings into a documented summary
  • Communicate results and conclusions with interfacing activities and management
  • Compose technical documents and detailed test reports
Pictured: FX850V-EFI 29.5 hp (above): the most powerful EFI engine yet for higher productivity and business-building potential. FS730V-EFI 25.5 hp (below): new electronic fuel injection technology engine. Kawasaki EFI fuel management continually adjusts power to load, keeping blade tip speed constant and ground speed steady. These engines deliver optimum cutting speed through tough conditions and maximum fuel economy.

More Good Reasons

Professional development
You will expand your skills and experience as you work with diverse engines and applications, and contribute to new product development from cradle to grave. We encourage knowledge sharing, and you'll trade ideas and insights with a strong team of Engineers and others including Kawasaki veterans and newer talent. 

Great culture
The Grand Rapids team has over 100 members on site, and we have created a friendly and casual (blue jeans are fine) environment with down-to-earth people who enjoy working together and helping one another. We also sponsor fun events, such as attending local minor league baseball games, declaring special days such as "hot dog day" or "chips'n'dips day," and holding holiday parties. These are just some of the reasons we have a high number of long-tenured employees. People like working at Kawasaki!

Career options
Success in this role could set you up to advance within the Calibration Engineer role. We have Engineer I, II, III and Senior Engineer, with this role starting at level II. At Kawasaki, we are dedicated to helping our employees learn and develop their skills and advance. At the same time, while you will advance your skills and level, if you're highly ambitious and hungry to quickly work your way up through the ranks, this is not the right role. You won't find corporate layers but you will find interesting projects and wide exposure.

Unique corporate philosophy
Would you like to work for a company where "Good Times"™ isn't just an idea, it's a philosophy? As an employee of Kawasaki, you will find your ideas welcomed and your hard work appreciated. Our tagline, "Let the good times roll"™, is recognized worldwide. Our mutual task is to take this exciting company into the future by continuously delivering the Good Times to the consumer, our dealers and our employees.

Innovative products and brand recognition
Motorcycles, lawn & garden products, side x side vehicles, watercraft, ATVs and small engines are just some of the unique consumer products that have made the Kawasaki brand a household name around the world. Kawasaki products lead the power sports industry around the globe. The secret of Kawasaki's success is in designing and manufacturing products that offer balanced performance, high quality, reliability and excellent fit and finish.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive wage, we offer a premium benefits package that includes all that you would expect, such as healthcare and other insurances and a 401(k) plan, and a few surprises, including a discount on Kawasaki products, tuition assistance, paid time off and more.

Video: a lawn care professional puts Kawasaki EFI engines to the test and shares his real-world perspective on EFI performance.

Keys to Success

While we enjoy strong camaraderie and enjoy having fun, we also take pride in delivering results. The ideal combination for success here is a strong work ethic and an easy-going, friendly approach. We're proactive about keeping the atmosphere upbeat and healthy, so we'll look to you engage as a positive, reliable and trusted member of the team.

In addition, in order to be an outstanding Calibration Engineer, you will:
  • Be dedicated to meeting project timelines and production deadlines
  • Interact effectively with a wide variety of personalities
  • Pay close attention to details, but also understand the bigger picture and how the details fit into it
  • Achieve goals independently, but also know when to ask for help
  • Manage multiple activities and priorities well
  • Keep an eye out for ways to improve processes
  • Take a proactive approach to keeping your product knowledge current
  • Remain open to learning new ways of doing things

About Us

The Critical Power Difference: About Kawasaki Engines

Kawasaki Engines designs and builds top-of-the-line commercial and residential small lawn mower engines,from walk behinds to zero turns and other turf and construction equipment. Our nationwide network of Kawasaki Authorized Dealers is on hand to provide expert information, small engine service, and sales of Kawasaki powered equipment and genuine parts

Let the Good Times Roll: About Kawasaki Motors Corp.

Hard work and a dream. That's what established American Kawasaki Motorcycle Corp. way back in March of 1966. The first headquarters, an old meat warehouse in Chicago, was a humble beginning for the factory team sent to open the U.S. market. Today, KMC's annual revenue tops 1.6 billion dollars. There are approximately 400 employees and more than 1,200 dealers.

Our bestselling Ninja® sportbikes, classic Vulcan™ cruisers, rugged ATV, Teryx® and Mule™ Side x Side vehicles and exclusive JET SKI® watercraft form the foundation of our Good Times Company image.

Besides the headquarters building in Irvine, California, KMC has regional sales offices and/or distribution centers in Piscataway, New Jersey; Atlanta, Georgia; Fort Worth, Texas, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. of Lincoln, Nebraska operates a small engine manufacturing plant in Maryville, Missouri. For more information see: kawaskienginesusa.Clicking this link will navigate you away from this page. Be sure to come back to submit your application.

Video: Take a tour of the Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing plant in Maryville, MO, and see what it takes to make a Kawasaki engine. It's an up-close, behind-the-scenes visit that's sure to open your eyes.

Leverage Your Talent to Join an Industry Leader & Work on Interesting, Full-Cycle Engine Projects

Enjoy work-life balance and an upbeat culture in new state-of-the-art R&D facility.

This is a unique opportunity to align your career with an industry leader where you will be challenged with an array of engine projects and enjoy a healthy, engaged culture. If you are a skilled calibration engineer who is passionate about engines, this role offers multiple advantages. You will: Kawasaki Engines, a division of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., distributes gasoline engines for landscape, industrial, and consumer markets. The division is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It sells to and services customers through a network of more than 40 OEMs, 15 distributors, and more than 7,750 independent dealers throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, select countries in Central and South America, and the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, including Guam.

Video: when you fire up a Kawasaki turf engine, a world of innovation, technology and experience goes to work for you. Robust power is in our DNA. No wonder we can help our dealers' businesses grow.

The Requirements

To be a good fit for the Calibration Engineer opportunity, you should have:
  • A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent engineering degree Quick question for you - click here
  • At least 4 years of experience with engines  Quick question for you - click here
  • Knowledge of:
    • Fuel injection calibration strategies and technologies
    • Data acquisition systems and sensors
    • Combustion analysis tools
    • Design of experiments
  • Proficiency with INCA, ETAS and MDA calibration tools
  • Experience with Engine Test Bed & Dynamometer Automation
  • Solid understanding of internal combustion engine fundamentals (particularly 4-stroke gasoline) 
  • Emphasis on controls systems a plus
  • Model based calibration experience a plus
In addition to your technical skills, success will require the following core competencies and characteristics.
  • Excellent data processing, analysis and management skills
  • Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills 
  • Ability to work independently with limited supervision and as a strong contributing member of a team
  • Focused, detail oriented and capable of learning complex systems
  • Proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
You also must be able to travel periodically to test locations and suppliers. We anticipate travel to be no more than 10% to 15% of the time.

When you join us, you will be able to pick between 3 shift options: 7 AM - 4 PM or 8 AM - 5 PM Monday through Friday with a one-hour lunch; or 7:30 AM - 5:15 PM with a 45-minute lunch and every other Friday off.  

The Role

Reporting to the Calibration Supervisor, you will join a small calibration team including your supervisor and two Engineers. While you will work closely with your small team, which will grow as we add more and more fuel-injected engines, you'll also interact with the larger, 50+ person R&D team for testing and data generation. The Grand Rapids facility includes test areas and other labs, as well as office space, but manufacturing is done in other locations.

With a moderate level of independence, you will own the technical responsibility for engine calibration and deployment from the prototype stage through to production, while supporting engine hardware development as needed. At any given time you can expect to be working on multiple projects at different stages. Projects will vary, but they typically last one to two years. While you will have independent responsibilities, teamwork is an important part of our process.  Quick question for you - click here

As part of your specific responsibilities, you will:
  • Provide fuel injection calibrations to achieve emissions and performance targets
  • Recommend changes to the calibration strategies, testing procedures or engine hardware to achieve target objectives
  • Perform standardized, prescribed or diverse test assignments while maintaining detailed test records
  • With occasional assistance, perform setup and instrumentation of calibration vehicles and engines
  • Utilize precision test equipment and measurement devices
  • Effectively communicate within the company and with suppliers to discuss schedules, program needs and test data
  • Coordinate test vehicles and necessary test equipment
  • Participate in vehicle test sessions in different locations (summer and winter)
  • Handle projects and project documentation according to specified processes
  • Perform release procedures (verification and validation) for different sample stages as well as final production software
  • Validate the calibration under various noise factors
  • Provide detailed instrumentation and test requirements to technicians
  • Refine and run powertrain models to characterize system interactions & sensitivities, as well as to develop process control requirements and calibration approaches
  • Check data quality and correct problems when issues are found
  • Interpret results and assimilate findings into a documented summary
  • Communicate results and conclusions with interfacing activities and management
  • Compose technical documents and detailed test reports
Pictured: FX850V-EFI 29.5 hp (above): the most powerful EFI engine yet for higher productivity and business-building potential. FS730V-EFI 25.5 hp (below): new electronic fuel injection technology engine. Kawasaki EFI fuel management continually adjusts power to load, keeping blade tip speed constant and ground speed steady. These engines deliver optimum cutting speed through tough conditions and maximum fuel economy.

More Good Reasons

Professional development
You will expand your skills and experience as you work with diverse engines and applications, and contribute to new product development from cradle to grave. We encourage knowledge sharing, and you'll trade ideas and insights with a strong team of Engineers and others including Kawasaki veterans and newer talent. 

Great culture
The Grand Rapids team has over 100 members on site, and we have created a friendly and casual (blue jeans are fine) environment with down-to-earth people who enjoy working together and helping one another. We also sponsor fun events, such as attending local minor league baseball games, declaring special days such as "hot dog day" or "chips'n'dips day," and holding holiday parties. These are just some of the reasons we have a high number of long-tenured employees. People like working at Kawasaki!

Career options
Success in this role could set you up to advance within the Calibration Engineer role. We have Engineer I, II, III and Senior Engineer, with this role starting at level II. At Kawasaki, we are dedicated to helping our employees learn and develop their skills and advance. At the same time, while you will advance your skills and level, if you're highly ambitious and hungry to quickly work your way up through the ranks, this is not the right role. You won't find corporate layers but you will find interesting projects and wide exposure.

Unique corporate philosophy
Would you like to work for a company where "Good Times"™ isn't just an idea, it's a philosophy? As an employee of Kawasaki, you will find your ideas welcomed and your hard work appreciated. Our tagline, "Let the good times roll"™, is recognized worldwide. Our mutual task is to take this exciting company into the future by continuously delivering the Good Times to the consumer, our dealers and our employees.

Innovative products and brand recognition
Motorcycles, lawn & garden products, side x side vehicles, watercraft, ATVs and small engines are just some of the unique consumer products that have made the Kawasaki brand a household name around the world. Kawasaki products lead the power sports industry around the globe. The secret of Kawasaki's success is in designing and manufacturing products that offer balanced performance, high quality, reliability and excellent fit and finish.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive wage, we offer a premium benefits package that includes all that you would expect, such as healthcare and other insurances and a 401(k) plan, and a few surprises, including a discount on Kawasaki products, tuition assistance, paid time off and more.

Video: a lawn care professional puts Kawasaki EFI engines to the test and shares his real-world perspective on EFI performance.

Keys to Success

While we enjoy strong camaraderie and enjoy having fun, we also take pride in delivering results. The ideal combination for success here is a strong work ethic and an easy-going, friendly approach. We're proactive about keeping the atmosphere upbeat and healthy, so we'll look to you engage as a positive, reliable and trusted member of the team.

In addition, in order to be an outstanding Calibration Engineer, you will:
  • Be dedicated to meeting project timelines and production deadlines
  • Interact effectively with a wide variety of personalities
  • Pay close attention to details, but also understand the bigger picture and how the details fit into it
  • Achieve goals independently, but also know when to ask for help
  • Manage multiple activities and priorities well
  • Keep an eye out for ways to improve processes
  • Take a proactive approach to keeping your product knowledge current
  • Remain open to learning new ways of doing things

About Us

The Critical Power Difference: About Kawasaki Engines

Kawasaki Engines designs and builds top-of-the-line commercial and residential small lawn mower engines,from walk behinds to zero turns and other turf and construction equipment. Our nationwide network of Kawasaki Authorized Dealers is on hand to provide expert information, small engine service, and sales of Kawasaki powered equipment and genuine parts

Let the Good Times Roll: About Kawasaki Motors Corp.

Hard work and a dream. That's what established American Kawasaki Motorcycle Corp. way back in March of 1966. The first headquarters, an old meat warehouse in Chicago, was a humble beginning for the factory team sent to open the U.S. market. Today, KMC's annual revenue tops 1.6 billion dollars. There are approximately 400 employees and more than 1,200 dealers.

Our bestselling Ninja® sportbikes, classic Vulcan™ cruisers, rugged ATV, Teryx® and Mule™ Side x Side vehicles and exclusive JET SKI® watercraft form the foundation of our Good Times Company image.

Besides the headquarters building in Irvine, California, KMC has regional sales offices and/or distribution centers in Piscataway, New Jersey; Atlanta, Georgia; Fort Worth, Texas, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. of Lincoln, Nebraska operates a small engine manufacturing plant in Maryville, Missouri. For more information see: kawaskienginesusa.Clicking this link will navigate you away from this page. Be sure to come back to submit your application.

Video: Take a tour of the Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing plant in Maryville, MO, and see what it takes to make a Kawasaki engine. It's an up-close, behind-the-scenes visit that's sure to open your eyes.
Kawasaki Motors is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
or
Apply with