Autonomous Robotics Launch Manager

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role leads a multi-plant engineering and project delivery team responsible for defining, developing, and deploying next-generation autonomous robotics technologies used in Ford’s manufacturing in-plant logistics environment. This leader oversees advanced AMR/AGV platforms, embedded controls, ML-based perception systems, ADAS-inspired autonomy stacks, and large-scale software integrations that support material delivery launches across Ford’s global plants. This role requires a unique blend of strategic leadership, deep software and controls technical expertise, and the ability to guide complex robotics programs from early concepts through industrial deployment. The manager directs software-heavy engineering activities—such as perception modeling, mapping/localization, fleet management coding, and autonomy stack refinement—while ensuring alignment with Ford safety, cybersecurity, and plant operations standards. The ideal candidate is a strong People Leader with the ability to drive clarity, technical alignment, and on-time delivery in a fast-paced, multi-location environment.

Requirements

• Bachelors in engineering, robotics, computer science, software engineering, or related field.
• 5–10 years in robotics, automation, or software engineering, with 3–5+ years in leadership.
• Deep understanding of AMR autonomy, ADAS-style algorithms, robotics controls, and sensor fusion.
• Strong track record in SOW creation, vendor management, and full lifecycle robotics deployments.
• Ability and willingness to travel to USA, Canada, Mexico plants as required.
• Proficient English language skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Robotics, Software Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), or Technical Leadership.
• Experience architecting advanced robotics autonomy stacks or ADAS systems.
• Familiarity with Ford GVOSS, GME-707, safety standards, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Experience with virtual commissioning, PLC safety systems, and industrial networking.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team of robotics engineers, software developers, and launch professionals delivering AMR/automation across multiple Ford manufacturing sites.
• Provide high-level technical oversight of autonomy software, ADAS-style sensor fusion pipelines, software frameworks, and computer vision integrations.
• Drive clarity and technical alignment between software teams, controls teams, IT, plant operations, and external vendors.
• Shape Ford’s long-term strategy for AMR autonomy stacks- including sensor fusion, perception, mapping, localization, motion planning, and safety systems.
• Drive standardization of Ford’s AMR software frameworks across plants to reduce cost, improve reliability, and create enterprise-wide scalability.
• Lead authoring and negotiation of software-focused SOWs covering autonomy behaviors, fleet algorithms, sensor calibration requirements, MCU/SoC/MPU integration, and cybersecurity standards.
• Translate business objectives and plant needs into detailed technical deliverables for internal teams and external suppliers—including coding milestones, functional safety requirements, and software validation criteria.
• Oversee architecture, debugging, simulation, digital twin validation, and model-in-the-loop / software-in-the-loop testing environments prior to deployment.
• Lead all software and controls readiness activities for AMR deployments during vehicle launches.
• Ensure perception models are tuned, localization maps validated, autonomy parameters calibrated, and fleet software integration is stable prior to go-live.
• Resolve high-complexity plant issues related to software behavior, routing algorithms, traffic orchestration, perception stack failures, and network integration.
• Guide integration of SoC/MPU/MCU controllers, safety PLCs, fieldbuses, and robotics sensors.
• Ensure motion controllers use appropriate constraint-based optimization, MPC, and control law tuning.
• Oversee Gazebo, Isaac Sim, ROS simulation environments, digital twin development, and automated test harnesses.
• Approve model-based design artifacts and software validation reports.
• Manage multi-million-dollar budgets for robotics and software-driven automation projects.
• Conduct financial reviews, cost optimization, and ROI analyses related to autonomy and software-heavy system deployments.
• Interface with MP&L, MFE, IT, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Finance, Cybersecurity, and external robotics suppliers.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager