After obtaining his BSEE and MSEE degrees from the University of Michigan (U of M), Darren Jones has enjoyed an engineering career spanning three decades. He holds two U.S. patents and published six technical papers. His prior roles include U.S. naval officer, U of M researcher / instructor, Ford Motor Company test engineer, Navistar technical specialist, and Eaton systems engineer. In 2019, Darren certified as an Automotive Functional Safety Professional (AFSP). Since 2021, he’s served as a Sr. Functional Safety Engineer at FEV. In February 2024, Darren certified as an Automotive Functional Safety Expert (AFSE), affording him the privilege of training and certifying additional functional safety engineers. In October 2024, Darren passed the INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) exam. By year’s end, he expects to complete the SEP certification process and to expand his service offerings through FEV to cover both safety and systems engineering.

The Pop in Your Job – What drives you? Why do you love your job?
I wake up before my alarm most mornings inspired by opportunities for collaboration with technical leaders across the globe to mitigate transportation risks that people face daily.

At FEV, we find solutions to future challenges within the global transportation industry. Our team of experts is passionate about designing, building and benchmarking the latest powertrain and vehicle technologies, and providing solutions that our customers can take directly into production. For nearly 40 years, FEV has executed powertrain design and development programs from concept to start of production. In addition to traditional engine and transmission development, vehicle integration, calibration, and the homologation of hybrid and electric powertrains, we’re focused on the advancement of electronic control systems, connected vehicles and automation. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, MI, FEV North America, Inc. employs more than 450 highly skilled specialists.