Autoliv Group

Background Motorcycle safety research requires detailed and repeatable measurements of both rider behavior and vehicle dynamics, particularly during demanding or safety-critical maneuvers. A key challenge is understanding rider behavior immediately before hazardous events, as such knowledge is critical for developing future rider-assistance and safety systems. Real road testing can provide valuable information, but it is constrained by safety, repeatability, scenario control and data observability. An existing motorcycle riding simulator integrates a physical riding platform, BikeSim vehicle dynamics, CARLA and Unreal Engine 5 visualization, a Python supervisory application, a C/C++ integration layer, sensors, steering force feedback and motion-platform feedback. The basic closed-loop integration has been established. The next step is to improve physical consistency, rider-perceived steering fidelity, vehicle response and end-to-end system performance, while creating a reliable experimental data-acquisition platform. The project will therefore focus on improving and validating the simulator as a human-in-the-loop research platform. The intended result is a practical system that balances simulation realism, controllability, user experience, stability and experimental repeatability, while collecting synchronized high-resolution data describing both the motorcycle and the rider. Aim The aim of this thesis is to improve and validate an existing motorcycle riding simulator as a high-fidelity experimental platform for rider-behavior and pre-accident safety research. The work will investigate the relationship between simulator fidelity and rider perception, with particular focus on rider trust, controllability, and behavioral realism. The resulting platform should support synchronized acquisition of rider movement, steering input, interaction forces, vehicle dynamics, and virtual-environment data. Research Questions * How can steering force feedback and vehicle response be improved to provide coherent and realistic rider cues? * How can high-resolution rider and vehicle measurements be synchronized and recorded reliably across heterogeneous real-time systems? * How do simulator characteristics influence experienced riders’ perception of realism, controllability and trust in the simulator response? Technical Platform * Physical motorcycle riding and motion platform * BikeSim motorcycle dynamics model * CARLA/UE5 simulation environment * Python-based control, supervision and logging software * C/C++ DLL and simulator integration components * Steering servo and torque measurement * Wearable IMUs, fixed cameras and supporting sensor infrastructure Project Objectives * Review and extend the current end-to-end signal chain between the physical platform, Python, CARLA/UE5, the C/C++ integration layer and BikeSim. * Improve real-time data exchange, observability, logging, timing and fault handling. * Provide riders with a realistic and coherent riding experience while maintaining physical consistency. * Improve vehicle-control behavior, including low-speed stability, steering-input mapping, lean response, corner entry and recovery to upright riding. * Evaluate the consistency between rider input, BikeSim vehicle response, visual feedback and physical feedback. * Design and implement scenarios in CARLA that include road layouts, environments, traffic participants and events. * Validate the correctness of system operation and feedback across a range of scenarios. * Use fixed-camera video for experiment documentation and review. Camera-based automatic pose estimation may be included as an optional extension. Study Design The development and verification process will be iterative. Issues identified during verification or validation will be corrected and tested again. The rider experiment will begin only after the technical verification and scenario-based validation have been completed successfully. The study is divided into five main steps: * System Familiarization The student will become familiar with the existing simulator, including its components, data flow and operating workflow. * System Improvement The student will improve workflow and data exchange between Python, the C/C++ DLL, BikeSim and CARLA/UE5. The work will also improve steering-input mapping, vehicle-control behavior and steering force feedback, including resistance, damping and increased resistance at large steering angles. * Component and Integration Verification The student will verify that control functions and data transmission work correctly within each component and between components. Timing, latency and synchronization will also be evaluated. * Scenario-Based Validation The complete simulator will be validated in selected riding scenarios to confirm that vehicle behavior, control responses and system feedback are correct, consistent and repeatable. * Rider Experiment Experienced motorcycle riders will test the simulator in selected scenarios. Objective measurements and rider feedback will be used to evaluate realism, controllability and the overall riding experience. The experiment will follow applicable requirements for participant safety, informed consent, data protection and ethical approval. Expected Deliverables * An improved and operational motorcycle riding simulator suitable for the selected experiments. * Implemented software improvements for real-time integration, steering/vehicle response and data acquisition. * A documented, synchronized data-recording pipeline for rider, vehicle, platform and virtual-environment data. * A defined set of test scenarios and experimental protocols. * A well-documented codebase, configuration and deployment guide. * Documented results from component verification, scenario-based validation and rider evaluation. * Final thesis report, recommendations and an internal presentation. Suitability 1-2 master’s thesis students with an engineering background. Credit: 30 HP Required: * Python and/or C/C++ Meritorious: * Experience of CARLA or comparable simulation environments * Control systems and vehicle dynamics * Signal processing and sensor integration * Experimental design and quantitative data analysis * Benefits and Learning Opportunities * Human-in-the-loop simulation * Vehicle dynamics using BikeSim * CARLA and Unreal Engine 5 * Real-time control systems * Motion platforms and force feedback * Research methodology and experimental validation Industry-relevant motorcycle safety research Contact Christian-Nils Boda christian-nils.boda@autoliv.com                               More lives saved – more life lived!

About Autoliv At Autoliv, our mission is to save more lives. As the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, we develop innovative technologies that protect vehicle occupants and enable safer mobility. Every year, our products help save thousands of lives, making safety the core purpose behind everything we do. Our success is built on engineering excellence, innovation, teamwork, and a strong customer focus. We foster a global and collaborative environment where employees are empowered to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact on the future of mobility. Position Summary We are seeking an experienced ECU Project Leader/ Design Leader to drive the definition and development of next-generation automotive safety electronics platforms and system concepts. This role is rooted in Innovation, focusing on early concept creation and maturation while ensuring key downstream needs—customer application, validation, industrialization, and SOP readiness—are considered from the start. The successful candidate will be responsible for transforming customer, market, regulatory, and technology trends into robust system and ECU concepts that can serve as the foundation for future product programs. The role requires strong technical leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to align globally distributed teams around a common vision and roadmap. Key Responsibilities Innovation & Concept Leadership * Lead the creation and maturation of next-generation ECU and system concepts for future mobility and safety applications. * Define product vision, technology roadmaps, concept architectures, and development strategies. * Drive technology selection, proof-of-concept activities, feasibility studies, and innovation initiatives. * Translate emerging customer needs, market trends, competitive benchmarks, and regulatory requirements into future product concepts. * Identify technology gaps System & Platform Strategy * Define scalable platform concepts capable of supporting multiple future customer applications. * Drive system-level thinking and ensure coherence between product vision, architecture, functionality, and business objectives. * Lead trade-off analyses involving performance, safety, cybersecurity, cost, scalability, and technology readiness. * Collaborate with system leadership to ensure alignment between concept development activities and long-term product strategies. Global Leadership & Alignment * Lead and influence globally distributed engineering teams located across Europe, North America, and Asia. * Build strong alignment across engineering disciplines, technology domains, and organizational boundaries. * Create a shared vision and ensure all stakeholders understand priorities, objectives, assumptions, and technical direction. * Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and technical excellence. * Drive decision-making in complex environments where requirements and solutions may still be evolving. Collaboration & Stakeholder Management * Act as a key interface between innovation teams, system architects, customers, suppliers, and business leaders. * Facilitate alignment between strategic objectives and technical development activities. * Support customer engagements, innovation workshops, technology demonstrations, and concept reviews. * Build strong partnerships with global engineering centers and external technology providers. Communication, Reporting & Visibility * Ensure clear, structured, and timely communication of project vision, progress, risks, decisions, and key achievements to stakeholders at all levels. * Provide regular reporting and executive-level visibility on concept maturity, roadmap status, technology readiness, and alignment with future product milestones up to SOP. * Promote transparency across global teams by maintaining consistent communication channels, decision records, and alignment forums. Leadership & Team Development * Provide technical and organizational leadership for international project teams. * Coach and mentor engineers and technical leaders. * Promote a high-performance culture focused on ownership, execution excellence, and continuous learning. * Drive cross-functional collaboration while maintaining focus on common business and technology objectives. Guarentee alignment of global teams around a common technology roadmap and product vision. Required Qualifications * A degree in Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Embedded Systems, or similar. * Significant experience within a Tier-1 automotive supplier (highly preferred) or OEM environment. * Experience in safety-critical automotive systems like EPS and chassis related function is a big plus. * Proven experience leading advanced engineering, concept development, or innovation programs. * Strong background in leading automotive electronics systems and ECU development (HW, SW, FuSa and all sub domains) * Demonstrated ability to lead globally distributed teams and influence stakeholders across multiple organizations. * Strategic mindset combined with strong technical credibility. * Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills. Preferred * Knowledge of ISO 26262, ISO 21434, and ASPICE. * Experience defining platforms, architectures, or next-generation product concepts. * Experience working on pre-RFQ, innovation, research, or advanced development activities.

Autoliv is the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems. We develop, manufacture and market protective solutions such as airbags, seatbelts, and steering wheels for all major automotive manufacturers worldwide, along with advanced safety solutions for new mobility. In 2025, our products helped save approximately 40,000 lives and prevented around 600,000 serious injuries. We are now looking for an experienced Simulation Engineer to lead the development and operation of a high-fidelity virtual validation platform for next-generation interior and occupant safety systems. In this role, you will play a key part in accelerating product development and delivering release-grade safety evidence through advanced simulation methodologies Role and Responsibilities * Design and maintain end-to-end XiL environments (SiL, HiL, DiL/ViL) for safety-critical functions. * Integrate vECUs (AUTOSAR Classic/Adaptive), environment models, and CI/CD pipelines. * Develop and execute scenario-based validation, including edge cases and misuse scenarios. * Generate synthetic scenarios using tools such as NVIDIA Omniverse, CARLA, and Human Body Models (HBM). * Validate and correlate simulation models against physical test data. * Automate simulation execution, regression testing, evidence generation, and reporting. * Support functional safety activities and maintain traceability in accordance with ISO 26262 and SOTIF. What You’ll Bring * Bachelor's or master’s degree in engineering or a related field. * 8+ years of experience in automotive simulation, ADAS/active safety validation, vehicle dynamics, or XiL environments. * Strong programming skills in Python, C/C++, and experience with Git, Jenkins, and Docker. * Hands-on experience with MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE, and scenario-based testing. * Knowledge of AUTOSAR, CAN/CAN-FD, Automotive Ethernet, and CANalyzer. * Experience with simulation automation, virtual ECUs, and safety-critical development environments. * Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English. Who Are You? You are analytical, self-driven, and passionate about solving complex technical challenges. You thrive in cross-functional teams, communicate effectively, and consistently deliver high-quality results. You bring: * Strong analytical mindset and attention to detail * Excellent problem-solving capabilities * Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly, both verbally and in writing * Self-driven with strong time-management skills * Effective collaborator in cross-functional and international teams * Adaptable and open to new technologies and changing priorities * Structured, rigorous, and quality-focused approach to engineering Why Autoliv? At Autoliv, our purpose is simple: Saving More Lives. By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to influence the next generation of safety innovations while working alongside some of the industry's most talented experts. Together, we develop technologies that make a real difference for people around the world. We would love to hear more about your experience, ambitions, and what inspires you. Let's start the conversation. Your Application Does this sound like the opportunity you’ve been waiting for? Please apply and feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Practical information * Place of Work: Vårgårda (Hybrid) * Scope: Full-time * Employment type: Permanent * Start date: According to agreement  More lives saved – more life lived!