Staff Embedded Controls Engineer, Vehicle Motion

Ford • Palo Alto, CA

2d • $150,200 - $283,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Staff Embedded Controls Software Engineer to develop a next-generation centralized vehicle motion control system that provides a natural, intuitive interaction between drivers and vehicles. The role focuses on embedded controls for complex, distributed, safety-critical systems and math- and physics-based control strategies for lateral and longitudinal vehicle dynamics.

The engineer will define control strategies and functions, work with suppliers and internal teams to integrate vehicle functions and components, support software and hardware integration, and participate in functional safety analyses. The role also includes developing test plans and validating firmware, authoring subsystem diagrams, leading subsystem reviews, and supporting component requirements and sourcing activities.

Early firmware development will emphasize hardware validation, lab-car testing, and establishing automation for unit, software-in-the-loop (SIL), and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing. This is a hybrid position; candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub may be required to work onsite four or more days per week. The position is leadership level 6, with a salary range of $150,200–$283,500. Visa sponsorship is available.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science, with evidence of exceptional ability, or equivalent.
• At least 6 years of experience with embedded control systems such as chassis systems, VCM, or similar dynamic functions.
• At least 6 years of experience with electrical hardware applications, prototype bring-up, and systems development.
• At least 6 years of experience with vehicle network protocols such as CAN, LIN, and Automotive Ethernet.
• At least 6 years of experience with C, Python, Git, Bazel, CANape, and RTOS.
• Strong electrical engineering fundamentals and hands-on experience with electrical test equipment, such as oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators, and power supplies.
• At least 4 years of experience using embedded networking interface tools in automotive, aerospace, or a similar field.
• Working knowledge of systems development, vehicle architecture, battery technologies, software/hardware tool development, motor calibration technologies, OBD calibration, functional safety, network, and diagnostics processes.
• Experience creating and executing component-level test procedures and taking ownership of all test results.

Nice To Haves

• Highly collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.
• Experience developing vehicle dynamic features such as hill hold, stability controls, anti-lock braking, park assist, cruise control, adaptive cruise control, or similar features.
• Experience with software build tools such as Bazel, Scons, or CMake.
• Experience with fundamental PCB hardware components and their analysis tools.
• Ability to write test scripts using scripting languages such as Python.
• Fluency in software fundamentals, including software design and maintainability.
• Hands-on experience in hardware bring-up, system debugging, and code optimization.
• Knowledge of electrical engineering fundamentals, including circuit analysis and design.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement control strategies for vehicle motion attributes and functions, including lateral and longitudinal vehicle dynamics.
• Work with suppliers to define functions and interfaces for third-party components and drive consolidation and integration of vehicle functions into the centralized vehicle motion control system.
• Collaborate with software integration teams to bring up core functions and communicate software-level requirements to electrical hardware and systems teams.
• Understand functional safety principles and participate in functional safety analyses of complex vehicle subsystems.
• Develop comprehensive test plans and test firmware functionality, stability, and performance under varied conditions.
• Author subsystem block diagrams and lead subsystem reviews throughout vehicle program development phases.
• Collaborate with system integration leads to capture component-level requirements, provide subject matter expertise in sourcing discussions, and collect and approve Device Transmittals.
• Conduct hardware validation and lab-car testing during early firmware development, and establish automation frameworks for unit, SIL, and HIL testing.
• Create and execute component-level test procedures and own the resulting test results.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
• 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.
• 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