Staff Embedded Platform Engineer

Ford • Long Beach, CA

8d • $150,200 - $283,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer who will architect and develop the foundational software platform that powers our next-generation automotive electronic control units (ECUs). In this role, you will design and implement embedded platform software including Real-Time Drivers (RTD), embedded RTOS configurations, low-level drivers, and middleware that other teams build upon across the vehicle program.

You will work cross-functionally to develop common libraries, embed functional safety principles (ISO 26262) into memory layouts and driver architectures, and build out robust networking stacks spanning CAN, LIN, Ethernet, SPI, and I2C. You will provide unified technical leadership across the platform team, setting standards for code quality, safety-critical design, and low-level software craftsmanship, while directly mentoring engineers across the organization. Your expertise in embedded systems and automotive industry knowledge will help ensure the quality, reliability, and safety of our software platform.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.
• Strong hands-on experience developing in Embedded C, with adherence to MISRA C coding standards.
• Working knowledge of ISO 26262 functional safety processes as applied to embedded software architecture and development.
• Hands-on experience developing and debugging networking protocols including CAN, LIN, and other automotive communication buses.
• Familiarity with common embedded debugging tools such as JTAG, GDB, and similar hardware/software debug interfaces.
• Proven experience configuring embedded RTOS and developing low-level embedded drivers and middleware for automotive-grade microcontrollers.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with embedded testing frameworks such as Renode, and build systems such as Bazel.
• Experience with automotive test and network analysis tools such as CANoe, CANalyzer, and CANape.
• Experience developing or integrating software for real-time control systems.
• Familiarity with additional in-vehicle networking interfaces such as automotive Ethernet, SPI, and I2C beyond baseline requirements.

Responsibilities

• Define the architecture and roadmap for real-time drivers, embedded RTOS configuration, and platform middleware shared across multiple vehicle programs.
• Work cross-functionally with systems, application, and safety teams to develop and maintain common libraries used platform-wide.
• Establish unified best practices for embedded coding standards, safety-critical design, and low-level software quality across the platform team.
• Mentor engineers on embedded architecture, functional safety design principles, and low-level driver development.
• Configure and optimize Real-Time Drivers (RTD) and embedded RTOS for deterministic, safety-critical automotive applications.
• Develop low-level embedded drivers and middleware that abstract hardware peripherals for use by upper application layers.
• Design and manage memory layouts to meet real-time performance, resource constraints, and functional safety requirements.
• Architect and implement networking stacks including CAN, LIN, automotive Ethernet, SPI, and I2C for reliable in-vehicle communication.
• Optimize network stack performance for throughput, latency, and determinism across safety-relevant communication paths.
• Collaborate with systems and hardware teams to ensure networking stack designs align with hardware-software interface definitions (HSI).
• Embed ISO 26262 functional safety principles into platform software architecture, memory design, and driver implementation.
• Ensure code developed for the platform adheres to MISRA C coding guidelines and safety-critical software development practices.
• Partner with safety and V&V teams to align platform software design with safety goals and ASIL requirements.

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