Engineering Project Manager- Systems & Core Architecture

Ford • Dearborn, MI

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford is at the forefront of the Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) transformation. The Systems and Core Architecture (SCA) team defines and delivers the foundational software and systems architecture that powers Ford’s current and future vehicle platforms. As an Engineering Project Manager (EPM) on the SCA team, you will connect strategy to execution across some of the most critical technical domains in the vehicle. You will lead complex, cross-functional delivery across hardware and software systems, helping teams move from architecture and system design through execution, validation, launch, OTA evolution, and lifecycle support. This role will initially focus on diagnostics and in-vehicle networking, where strong program leadership is needed today, while also creating opportunities to expand across broader systems and core architecture domains over time. Your work will directly influence the execution and quality of upcoming programs built on Ford’s FNV3.x architecture and help shape the next generation of vehicle architectures as Ford continues its SDV journey. You will partner closely with engineering, product, validation, platform, strategy, and supplier teams to align technical plans, manage dependencies, resolve risks, and drive high-quality execution. This role is well suited for someone who can move fluidly between system-level technical discussions, program planning, and concise leadership communication. This role supports foundational vehicle architecture areas including: In-vehicle networking, including CAN, LIN, Ethernet, interfaces, communication layers, and related software stacks; Diagnostics, including diagnostic data, DTCs, parsed data, prognostics, and related vehicle diagnostic capabilities; Power controls and management; Cross-domain and vertical feature delivery that depends on strong systems and architecture coordination; Current and next-generation vehicle architectures, including work that supports both near-term delivery and long-term platform evolution. This role operates across both hardware and software systems with a strong systems-responsible mindset. You will help connect strategy, architecture, execution, validation, and lifecycle support across the full life of the vehicle. You will work closely with: Tech Platform teams to align to platform cadence and manage program dependencies; Tech Strategy teams to connect execution to longer-term architectural direction; Engineering and validation teams to drive technical delivery from design through release; Supplier partners to extend execution capacity and support delivery across key technical domains. This is an individual contributor role with significant cross-functional influence and leadership responsibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of experience leading complex product, feature, or technical program delivery across hardware, software, and/or services
• 3+ years of experience working directly with engineering teams in a technical environment, with the ability to understand system architecture and technical tradeoffs
• Experience driving execution across multiple cross-functional teams through the full product lifecycle
• Experience managing schedules, dependencies, risks, scope, and stakeholder communications in a fast-paced development environment
• Familiarity with Agile development practices and tools such as JIRA and/or Azure DevOps
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messaging to both technical teams and leadership audiences

Nice To Haves

• Experience with automotive systems, embedded systems, or Software Defined Vehicle platforms
• Experience with vehicle networking, diagnostics, electrical architecture, or platform software
• Experience working across both hardware and software organizations in a systems-responsible environment
• Experience coordinating with supplier partners as part of technical program execution
• Experience supporting programs from architecture definition through validation, launch, and OTA or lifecycle support
• Ability to lead technical planning discussions and contribute effectively in system design and architecture reviews
• Experience across multiple product cycles involving software and services

Responsibilities

• Drive delivery across foundational architecture domains
• Lead execution for initiatives within Systems and Core Architecture, with an initial focus on diagnostics and in-vehicle networking.
• Build and maintain delivery plans, milestones, schedules, and dependency maps across multiple teams and workstreams.
• Translate architecture strategy into executable plans for current and future vehicle programs.
• Lead complex cross-functional programs
• Coordinate across hardware, embedded software, platform software, validation, and partner teams to deliver high-quality technical outcomes.
• Connect the dots from concept and design through implementation, validation, launch, OTA updates, and end-of-life support.
• Partner closely with Tech Platform teams on platform cadence and program dependencies, and with Tech Strategy teams on long-term vision and technology direction.
• Drive technical alignment and execution clarity
• Work effectively with engineers and technical leaders to understand architecture implications, system tradeoffs, delivery risks, and technical feasibility.
• Help teams align on priorities, decision points, milestones, and execution plans.
• Support planning and execution across foundational areas such as in-vehicle networking, diagnostics, power controls and management, and cross-domain feature delivery.
• Manage risk, scope, and change
• Identify program risks early, develop mitigation plans, and escalate issues when needed to protect timing, quality, and business outcomes.
• Manage scope changes by assessing impact to timeline, engineering effort, validation, and release readiness.
• Ensure upstream and downstream dependencies remain visible, coordinated, and actively managed.
• Use data to drive decisions and visibility
• Define and track delivery and quality metrics for your programs.
• Use dashboards, KPIs, and program health indicators to support decisions and improve transparency.
• Communicate progress, risks, tradeoffs, and execution health clearly to stakeholders and leadership.
• Improve the operating model
• Lead retrospectives and continuous improvement efforts to strengthen team effectiveness and delivery execution.
• Contribute to scalable program management practices across SCA and the broader organization.
• Help improve how Ford executes across systems, software, and architecture as we advance our SDV operating model.

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: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees