Work on the 1-million sq. ft. factory is now under way on the 400-acre site. It will be the company’s second largest plant, rivalled only by JCB’s world headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, England, and create 1,500 new jobs over five years. The factory will make Loadall telescopic handlers and aerial access equipment, with production scheduled to start in 2026. The factory will also have the capacity to expand and build other products in the future.
Company Profile
80 years and countless innovations later, JCB is the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. At 23 plants spanning four continents—and countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, India and Brazil—JCB manufactures a range of more than 300 products including telescopic handlers, backhoeloaders, excavators, wheel loaders, compact excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, Accessaerial work platforms, rough terrain forklifts, and tractors.
JCB people are at the heart of our business and as a family-owned business we answer to our customers, not a group of shareholders. That freedom allows us to concentrate on developing the latest technologies and incorporating them into our equipment. We focus on what our customer needs on the jobsite – a machine that holds up in the toughest environment and increases their productivity.
At JCB, we stand behind our products – and our name.
Position Purpose
The Senior Powertrain Engineer – JCB Access will be the technical authority for powertrain systems across the Aerial Work Platform (AWP) portfolio, covering internal combustion engines, electric drivetrains, battery systems, propulsion components, cooling systems, and power distribution. This role ensures powertrain performance, reliability, thermal stability, efficiency, and compliance with global regulatory requirements. The position will be based at JCB World Headquarters in Rocester, UK until Q1 2027, working closely with global engineering teams. In Q1 2027, it will transition permanently to the new JCB San Antonio, Texas facility as part of the establishment of the Access engineering centre.
Position Type
Full Time, Exempt
Major Tasks, Responsibilities & Key Accountabilities
Powertrain Engineering Leadership
- Lead the design, integration, and optimisation of powertrain systems for boom and scissor AWP products.
- Develop powertrain architectures that meet performance, efficiency, thermal, and regulatory requirements.
- Select and validate engines, motors, inverters, batteries, cooling systems, and energy management components.
- Ensure robust integration between powertrain, hydraulic systems, control software, vehicle stability systems, and machine architecture.
Technical Execution & Compliance
- Ensure all powertrain systems comply with global AWP and emissions standards including ANSI, CSA, CE, ISO, EPA, and EU Stage regulations.
- Conduct system-level DFMEAs, thermal analysis, duty-cycle modelling, and performance simulations.
- Develop and release high‑quality engineering documentation including design reviews, validation plans, and technical reports.
- Lead root‑cause investigations for powertrain-related failures and implement corrective actions.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Work with NPIP teams to ensure new product programmes achieve powertrain performance and efficiency targets.
- Partner with Current Product Engineering to resolve field issues related to engines, motors, drivetrains, cooling systems, or energy storage.
- Collaborate with Hydraulic, Electrical, Structure, and Vehicle Integration engineers to ensure seamless system compatibility.
- Support Manufacturing Engineering on assembly processes, packaging constraints, and production readiness.
Prototyping, Testing & Validation
- Participate in prototype builds to ensure proper integration, routing, and commissioning of powertrain systems.
- Define and execute validation plans including thermal and pressure mapping, motor characterization, drive testing, and endurance cycles.
- Review test results, analyse data, and drive iterative design improvements.
- Support on‑machine tuning and calibration where applicable.
Technical Mentorship & Influence
- Act as the subject matter expert for powertrain systems within the Access division.
- Mentor engineers on propulsion concepts, thermal management, efficiency optimisation, and testing methodology.
- Contribute to the development of engineering standards, simulation models, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Automotive, or related engineering discipline.
- Extensive experience with powertrain systems for off‑highway equipment, AWPs, or comparable mobile machinery.
- 7+ years of relevant engineering experience including engines, hydrostatic drivetrains, electric drivetrains, battery systems, or hybrid architectures.
- Strong understanding of cooling systems, driveline components, energy management, and power distribution.
- Experience working with global standards (ANSI, CSA, CE, ISO, EPA).
Strong analytical ability including duty cycle modelling, thermal analysis, and performance evaluation. - Ability to work effectively with global engineering teams.
- Experience with powertrain simulation tools, thermal analysis software, or energy modelling tools.
- Background in prototype builds, powertrain commissioning, and validation test execution.
- Knowledge of DFM, DFA, and manufacturing processes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with NX and Teamcenter.
- Professional Engineer (PE) designation.
Knowledge, Skills & Competencies
- Strong engineering judgement and technical decision-making
- Excellent cross-functional communication
- System-level problem-solving and root‑cause analysis capability.
- Leadership in design reviews and technical discussions
- Continuous improvement mindset
Location & Transition Timeline
- Primary location (2026–Q1 2027): JCB World Headquarters, Rocester, UK
- Permanent relocation (Q1 2027 onward): JCB San Antonio, Texas, USA
- International travel may be required to support global engineering and manufacturing teams.
Job Conditions
- Both office environment and occasionally manufacturing/factory environment
- Subject to noise and temperature changes
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
- Sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
- The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
- The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
JCB is an equal employment opportunities (EEO) employer in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. JCB complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO EMPLOYER/VET/DISABLED.
JCB Inc. is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however, as a global company, JCB offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S. which can be found through our website at https://www.jcb.com/en-gb/about/careers.
Disclaimer: This job description is general in nature and is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
JobFamily
Engineering
PayType
Salary