Sr. Systems Development Engineer

Ford • Dearborn, MI

16h • Hybrid

About The Position

Interact with feature owners and software development teams to scope and define robust systems interface and software requirements, with a strong emphasis on proactive Design Failure Mode Effects and Analysis (DFMEA). This includes the process of deriving functional level requirements from feature level requirements, and utilizing a model-based systems engineering approach in conjunction with Behavior Driven Development methodology to define individual functions, use cases, sequence diagrams, and test cases, ensuring design for reliability and early identification and mitigation of potential failure modes across the In-Vehicle Infotainment and Connectivity sub-system and software levels.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer/Software/Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience with electrical architecture, electrical systems, and automotive network topologies, with a strong background in Systems Engineering and reliability principles
• 5+ years of experience in robust requirement development, verification, and validation, with a focus on designing for reliability and testability, and experience in component/vehicle level testing for failure modes.
• Proven experience in systematically analyzing and resolving complex systems issues, employing root cause analysis, corrective action methodologies, and implementing design solutions for failure avoidance.
• In-depth knowledge of CAN, LIN, and Ethernet-based In-Vehicle Network protocols and processes, including understanding of potential failure modes and diagnostic strategies.
• Knowledge of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) based API design, with an understanding of fault tolerance and error handling in distributed systems.
• Knowledge of Human Factors and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), including considerations for usability, error prevention, and graceful degradation in failure scenarios.
• Strong knowledge of Requirements Engineering (INCOSE, EARS, BDD/Gherkin), with an ability to translate reliability and safety requirements into actionable specifications.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and practical application of Design Failure Mode Avoidance (DFMA), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and other reliability engineering techniques.
• Knowledge of Unified Modeling Language (UML) or System Modeling Language (SysML) for modeling system behavior, structure, and potential failure modes.
• Knowledge of Computer Programming Competencies (C++, Python, Java) for developing robust and fault-tolerant software.
• Familiarity with Automotive Infotainment Systems or other Automotive Domains, including a deep understanding of interfaces, communication protocols, features/functions, architecture, and common failure mechanisms.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Network tools (VehicleSpy, CANalyzer, CANoe, ValueCAN, Ethernet tools)
• Knowledge of requirement authoring tools (VSEM System Engineering, DOORS, JAMA, Polarion, etc)
• Knowledge of UML/SysML tools (IBM Rational Rhapsody, MagicDraw)
• Knowledge of Software Version Control Systems and cloud storage (Git, GitHub)
• Knowledge of VSCode
• Knowledge of Technical Writing
• Knowledge of Agile Methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite

Responsibilities

• Executing functional partitioning of features, focusing on identifying and isolating potential failure points and ensuring fault tolerance.
• Developing robust and fault-tolerant interfaces between allocable classes, considering potential failure propagation and implementing safeguards.
• Specifying comprehensive system-level and ECU software requirements, explicitly defining expected behavior, error handling, and failure recovery mechanisms based on DFMEA principles.
• Adopting model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methodologies for specification development, leveraging modeling and simulation for early failure mode identification and mitigation.
• Using Requirement Management tools for requirement authoring, change management, and specification generation, ensuring traceability to DFMEA activities and reliability targets.
• Using Behavior Driven Development (BDD) with Gherkin syntax to develop scenarios and associated test cases, incorporating negative test cases and failure scenarios derived from DFMEA analyses.
• Leading and performing comprehensive Design Failure Mode Effects and Analysis (DFMEA) activities throughout the product lifecycle to ensure the thoroughness, robustness, and reliability of software and system designs, proactively identifying and addressing potential failure modes.
• Managing cross-functional working level meetings with Feature/Function Owners, module owners, HMI teams, and the IVI Platform team to develop functional integration strategies that incorporate reliability and failure avoidance considerations.
• Performing rigorous system compatibility analysis and impact assessment for IVI feature deployment, specifically evaluating and mitigating potential failure modes introduced by new architectures, programs, or market variations.
• Proactively identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex technical issues at the system and interface level impacting the In-Vehicle Infotainment system, applying systematic root cause analysis and implementing design changes to prevent recurrence and enhance reliability.

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