Suspension and Chassis Controls Engineer

Ford • Allen Park, MI

2d • $65,100 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Racing is seeking an experienced controls engineer to deliver semi-active suspension and chassis controls across multiple programs. The role manages embedded controls work from Pre-PS through OPD for Ford Racing applications and collaborates with powertrain, chassis, architecture, and digital performance feature teams. It offers opportunities to expand technical knowledge across automotive technologies, systems, and components.

The engineer will design and implement chassis controls on the vehicle dynamics module (VDM) for Ford Racing off-road semi-active suspensions. The work spans software specification, design, implementation, and testing; development of embedded software from hardware drivers through application components; and expansion of Ford Racing Simulink models for new suspension hardware. The position also includes developing testing approaches, validating firmware, debugging and optimizing software, and working with requirements, interfaces, and both internal and external resources.

This position is hybrid and requires onsite work four or more days per week. It is a salary-grade 5, 6, 7, or 8 position, with the applicable range determined by candidate skills and experience. Visa sponsorship is not available, and candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience demonstrating exceptional ability.
• At least 1 year of relevant experience in embedded design and/or controls.
• High proficiency in Embedded C/C++ programming.
• High proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink modeling.
• Proficiency in embedded systems and microcontrollers.
• Knowledge of electrical engineering fundamentals, including circuit analysis and design.
• Collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.
• Experience with JIRA/Confluence or a similar system for tracking inputs and results.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of semi-active damper technology, including solenoid controls, internal bypass dampers, and CCD dampers.
• Working knowledge of mechatronic chassis devices, such as steering and brake controls.
• Experience in early prototype development.
• Experience with in-vehicle software integration and testing.
• Experience with Embedded Coder code generation.
• Experience with Vector AUTOSAR integration.
• Experience in powertrain controls or chassis controls.
• Experience with Ford Networked Vehicle (FNV) architecture.
• Experience with Ford and Vector diagnostic software, including DET, CANalyzer, and CANape.
• Experience with fundamental PCB hardware components and their analysis tools.
• Fluency in software fundamentals, including software design and maintainability.
• Hands-on experience in hardware bring-up, system debugging, and code optimization.
• Working knowledge of the Ford Platform Software Release process.
• Familiarity with ISO26262-compliant software.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement chassis controls on the vehicle dynamics module (VDM) for Ford Racing off-road semi-active suspensions.
• Specify, design, implement, and test low-level and high-level software for semi-active suspension controls.
• Identify reusable strategies from Ford in-house controls to accelerate Ford Racing algorithm development.
• Develop software strategies using a mix of Ford and Ford Racing in-house resources and outside resources.
• Develop embedded software from low-level hardware drivers to application-layer components.
• Design and specify interfaces between application software and firmware.
• Expand Ford Racing Simulink models to control new semi-active suspension hardware, including stabilizer bars and new damper technology.
• Work through ambiguity in requirements, specifications, and designs.
• Create efficient real-time software components and interfaces.
• Develop software component testing methods and implementations to ensure maturity, stability, and release readiness.
• Develop SIL/HIL testing methods for Ford Racing modules, including use of hardware debuggers.
• Instrument and profile software to identify optimization opportunities at the submodule and system levels.
• Develop comprehensive test plans and test firmware functionality, stability, and performance under normal, extreme, and faulted conditions.
• Perform hands-on hardware bring-up, system debugging, and code optimization.
• Collaborate with powertrain, chassis, architecture, and digital performance feature teams.

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.
• Established and active employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Generous 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: Entry Level