Systems Integration Engineer, Cross Vehicle Systems Applications and Software

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Ultimate Bridge Between Hardware and Software Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more! Ford’s Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company’s vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You’ll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. If you enjoy both physical engineering and software development, this role is the perfect sweet spot. You will be: Designing vehicle-level logical schematics, fusing, and grounding strategies (Hardware/EE). Flashing modules, managing software repositories, and utilizing Software Bills of Materials (Software). Building, configuring, and testing physical Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Breadboard setups (Systems Integration). Be Part of the Launch Excitement: This isn't a role where you sit in a silo. You will be an active member of the new vehicle program launch team, taking systems from early prototype phases (Engineering Prototype, Tooling Tryout) all the way through to Job 1 and post-launch. As a Systems Integration Engineer, the successful candidate will design, implement and validate vehicle electrical systems by reviewing and approving device transmittals, developing vehicle-level logical schematics, conducting design/compatibility reviews, defining fusing and grounding strategies, supporting system-level validation/diagnostics, providing technical support for prototype and pre-production builds.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 3-5 years' experience in automotive Electrical/Electronic (E/E) Systems Integration and Validation.
• 3+ years' experience with Controller Area Network (CAN), CAN-Flexible Data-Rate (CAN-FD), and Local Interconnect Network (LIN) protocols and messaging.
• 2+ years' experience in Issue Triage and Root Cause Analysis of complex functional failures and system-level defects.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in analyzing vehicle bus traffic using industry-standard tools such as CANalyzer, CANoe, Diagnostic Engineering Tool (DET), or Wireshark.
• Ability to read and interpret complex Electrical Schematics, wiring diagrams, and network communication databases (.dbc or .arxml).
• Fundamental understanding of vehicle power distribution, including fusing and grounding strategies.
• Familiarity with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and functional safety principles.
• Demonstrated ability to perform hands-on technical troubleshooting on physical hardware, breadboards, or vehicle prototypes.
• Willingness to support onsite activities at manufacturing plants or prototype build facilities like the New Model Programs Development Center (NMPDC).
• Direct experience with Ford-specific engineering tools including Vehicle Systems Engineering Management - Global Design Transmittal (VSEM-GDT) and Ford Engineering Design Environment (FEDE).
• Expertise in Vehicle Software Configuration System (VSCS) development and module configuration.
• Experience using In-Vehicle Software (IVS) or JFrog for software repository management and the Ford Converter Tool (FCT) for module flashing.
• Advanced knowledge of Automotive Ethernet and complex gateway routing.
• In-depth knowledge of Automotive End-of-Line (EOL) testing procedures.
• Proven ability to identify and resolve "false codes" or phantom Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) generated during software reflashing.
• Leadership capability to lead cross-functional triage meetings and translate technical bus data into actionable business reports for leadership.
• Proficiency in data management and tracking using Jira and Confluence.
• Proficiency on coding in Python or C#.
• Proficiency on using Large Language Models.

Responsibilities

• Architect vehicle-level logical schematics and design transmittal structures (VSEM-GDT), serving as the technical blueprint authority for next-generation vehicle programs.
• Direct and enforce robust, high-reliability fusing and grounding strategies across all vehicle designs to ensure flawless electrical power distribution.
• Conduct deep-dive compatibility reviews and Systems FMEA within the Ford Engineering Design Environment (FEDE) to preemptively catch and resolve system-level defects before they reach physical hardware.
• Lead the configuration and setup of advanced Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Final Design Judgement (FDJ), and Design Confirmation Vehicle (DCV) breadboards, transforming complex software into physical, functional testbeds.
• Utilize advanced tools (such as JFrog, IVS, and FCT) to flash, configure, and manage software packages on physical modules, tracking code evolution through modern Software Bills of Materials (SWBOM).
• Pioneer the development and optimization of the Vehicle Software Configuration System (VSCS) to ensure scalable, accurate module configuration across multiple vehicle variants.
• Embed directly with elite launch teams at premier facilities (such as the New Model Programs Development Center and Roush) to triage and troubleshoot complex, real-time integration issues from early prototype phases through to Job 1.
• Mastermind the isolation of "false codes" and phantom Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) generated during flashing, ensuring clean vehicle diagnostics and a flawless end-of-line manufacturing delivery.
• Lead point-to-point functional testing, End-of-Line (EOL) validation, and Key Off Load (KOL) testing to guarantee the vehicle's electrical system is robust and ready for customer delivery.

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