Embedded Platform Diagnostics Engineer

Ford Motor • Allen Park, MI

2h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Embedded Platform Diagnostics Engineer will join Ford’s growing Body Controls team in Dearborn to design and develop embedded software for the Body domain. The team creates Body Control Modules that work with current architectures and next-generation vehicle systems, as part of Ford’s Product Creation and Industrialization organization spanning vehicle, electric, digital, design, and manufacturing teams.

The role defines and implements diagnostic strategies and services for Body features and subsystems, including requirements, fault detection, DTC structures, failure responses, and alignment with UDS (ISO 14229), applicable OBD requirements, and Ford diagnostic standards. It integrates diagnostic description files and middleware with platform and application software, including security access, fault monitoring, testing, production support, and documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• At least 3 years of embedded software experience.
• At least 2 years of programming experience in C/C++ or Python; strong C/C++ programming skills and ability to write highly portable, platform-agnostic code.
• Experience with low-level interfaces such as I2C, SPI, ICU, PWM, GPT, and CAN.
• At least 1 year of experience developing proof-of-concept applications for automotive ECUs.
• At least 1 year of experience working in an agile environment.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• The posting repeats the following qualifications under “Even better, you may have”: 3+ years of embedded software experience; 2+ years of C/C++ or Python programming experience with strong, portable, platform-agnostic C/C++ skills; experience with low-level interfaces such as I2C, SPI, ICU, PWM, GPT, and CAN; 1+ year developing proof-of-concept applications for automotive ECUs; and 1+ year working in an agile environment.

Responsibilities

• Define diagnostic approaches for assigned Body features and subsystems using systems engineering principles; establish requirements, fault-detection coverage, DTC structure, and failure responses aligned with the overall Body diagnostic architecture.
• Design diagnostic functionality to meet program requirements for UDS (ISO 14229), applicable OBD requirements, and corporate diagnostic standards; coordinate with the broader diagnostics team for consistent ECU behavior.
• Integrate .cdd and .mdx diagnostic description files into the platform software configuration workflow and verify that service definitions, identifiers, data formats, and access conditions match the implemented software.
• Develop and configure diagnostic services, including DIDs, DTC reporting and clearing, RoutineControl, diagnostic sessions, and SecurityAccess (0x27); implement service handlers, access checks, response timing, and negative-response handling.
• Define and implement fault-monitoring logic, detection thresholds, debounce criteria, enable conditions, recovery behavior, DTC mappings, and associated diagnostic data.
• Connect diagnostic platform middleware to application components through defined interfaces and callbacks; integrate DID data access, routine execution, fault reporting, and application-specific service handling.
• Work with platform security engineers on SecurityAccess (0x27), including security-level checks and seed/key interfaces; validate authorized access, rejected requests, and unsuccessful access attempts.
• Develop and execute tests for diagnostic services, fault detection, DTC behavior, application interfaces, and failure responses; verify behavior across sessions, security levels, operating conditions, and power cycles.
• Resolve diagnostic issues found during integration, vehicle testing, manufacturing, and service preparation; support consistent diagnostic behavior across software releases.
• Maintain diagnostic requirements, service specifications, DTC definitions, interface documentation, and verification results; track requirements and defects through implementation and closure.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized back-up child care.
• Family-building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

What This Job Offers

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