Powertrain Engineer job at Zembo

Vacancy title:
Powertrain Engineer

Jobs at:

Deadline of this Job:
Monday, March 03 2025

Summary
Date Posted: Monday, February 17 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
About Us
We are Zembo, the start-up paving the way to the e-mobility revolution in Africa. Zembo sells electric motorcycle taxis and offers a battery swap service via a network of stations. After six years of operation, Zembo is the most experienced African provider of electric motorcycles and battery swaps on the continent. We are scaling up in Uganda, providing an affordable and environmentally responsible mobility solution.

About the Role
Africa stands on the brink of an energy revolution. With the rapid urbanization and growing demand for sustainable transportation, electric mobility is not just a future possibility—it’s a necessity. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, delivering world-class electric mobility solutions, and creating an exciting future of transportation. The e-motorcycle (mid-drive) is key in our operation and strategy: it should be powerful, robust and reliable to satisfy our clients (motorcycle taxi drivers) in a challenging environment (Kampala roads, traffic and climate). It must at the same time meet a stringent cost basis that ensures our motorcycle is accessible and competitive with similar ICE vehicles (without battery, which Zembo owns and rents as a service).
We are looking for a skilled and passionate Powertrain Engineer to join our dynamic team and help design and develop advanced electric powertrain systems for our next generation of EV motorcycles. By advancing EV technology, you’ll be contributing to cleaner air, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and enabling affordable, sustainable transport for millions of people across Africa.

Responsibilities
Design and Development:
• Collect feedback from real-world clients, experienced colleagues, and field data repositories to identify priorities for improvement / innovation.
• Develop and optimize electric powertrain systems, including electric motors, controllers, battery integration, dashboard, and chain systems.
• Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards such as ISO26262 throughout powertrain design and development processes.
• Utilize expertise in Electric Motors, including BLDC, PMSM, SRM & SynRM, to optimize powertrain performance.
• Ensure robust Motor control unit design and implementation to meet performance objectives.
• Lead the design of electrical systems for high voltage batteries, battery management systems, electrical motors, and components
• Create and implement CAN and RS485 protocols, working with suppliers to optimize system performance and achieve market-requested features.
• Design and implement practical testing procedures to optimize and validate performance in real-world conditions.

Integration:
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, both internal and with suppliers and strategic partners, to ensure seamless integration of powertrain components into the motorcycle chassis and vehicle architecture.
• Ensure designs meet quality standards, safety regulations, and environmental requirements (QHSE).
• Work closely with the manufacturing and assembly team to design processes that ensure every motorcycle is built and delivered to specifications.

Prototyping and Testing:
• With the Chief R&D engineer, develop prototypes and conduct validation testing for powertrain systems, pushing limits and testing thresholds to move the performance-efficiency curve up and right.
• Analyze test data to refine designs and resolve performance or reliability issues.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies in electric motorcycle powertrain components, materials, and energy efficiency.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions to improve power, efficiency, and overall system performance.
• Visit suppliers and trade shows and and if appropriate, buy and test new products and technologies with promise for the African context and improvement on our current designs.

Project Management and Sourcing
• Coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and internal teams to meet project deadlines and milestones.
• Work closely with suppliers to design, test and apply design innovations and integrate these into scaled orders.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering or related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in powertrain development, preferably in the automotive industry.
• Proven track record of delivering innovative solutions in powertrain development.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Track record of working cross-functionally, particularly with Software, R&D and engineering teams, to integrate multiple components into product development.
• Flexibility and ambition to work in a fast-paced startup environment with multiple competing priorities and limited resources.

Nice To Have:
• Experience living or working in Africa. Consider this before applying - our product designers need to be very close to customers and their needs and realities.
• Experience with electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technologies, particularly at an innovative startup (Tesla, Rimac, Ola Electric) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in powertrain simulation software (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS) and CAD software.
• Motorcycle permit / motorcycle enthusiast.



Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure

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