Senior Vehicle Integration Development Engineer

Ford • Palo Alto, CA

2d • $138,800 - $232,700 • Onsite

About The Position

Ford is seeking a contract Vehicle Integration Development Engineer to support vehicle systems development, prototype issue resolution, and technical solution delivery. This role is suited for an engineer who can take ambiguous technical problems, define a path forward, design and build practical solutions, and document outcomes clearly for engineering and program stakeholders. The engineer will work with limited day-to-day direction, translate incomplete or evolving problem statements into executable work, and own assigned development activities from initial investigation through implementation, validation, and handoff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Experience in vehicle development, prototype engineering, test engineering, systems engineering, diagnostics, or related technical development work.
• Demonstrated ability to take an undefined or partially defined technical problem and develop a solution approach.
• Hands-on experience with vehicle systems, instrumentation, diagnostics, data acquisition, controls, electrical systems, mechanical integration, or prototype builds.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills across mechanical, electrical, software, or vehicle system interfaces.
• Ability to create clear, usable engineering documentation for future reference, build repeatability, validation, or issue closure.
• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to manage open issues, track decisions, and follow work through completion.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to explain status, risks, technical findings, and next steps clearly.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with chassis, braking, suspension, vehicle controls, diagnostics, data logging, or retrofit/modification work.
• Familiarity with CAN, vehicle networks, diagnostic tools, data acquisition systems, or vehicle instrumentation.
• Experience supporting prototype vehicles, mule vehicles, engineering fleet modifications, or test assets.
• Ability to work directly with technicians, fabrication teams, test teams, and design engineers to develop and implement solutions.
• Experience creating installation documentation, validation summaries, fitment reports, issue tracking documentation, or engineering handoff materials.
• Familiarity with Ford engineering processes, vehicle development environments, or program delivery expectations.

Responsibilities

• Perform vehicle software flashing on modules, support vehicle bring-up, and debug module, network, and software issues using diagnostic tools such as Ford Campground, Ford DET, and CANalyzer.
• Own development tasks from problem definition through solution design, build, validation, and documentation.
• Translate incoming engineering issues, ideas, or system needs into clear technical requirements and actionable plans.
• Design and implement practical engineering solutions across vehicle systems, instrumentation, diagnostics, and prototype hardware/software interfaces.
• Support hands-on vehicle development activities, including troubleshooting, instrumentation, system integration, and build coordination.
• Investigate technical issues by separating symptoms from root cause, identifying constraints, and recommending viable corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain clear engineering documentation, including requirements, design intent, build notes, test findings, fitment results, issue logs, and open items.
• Coordinate with engineering teams, technicians, suppliers, and program stakeholders to close technical gaps and move work forward.
• Communicate status, risks, dependencies, and decisions needed in a concise and timely manner.
• Ensure completed work can be understood, repeated, maintained, or transitioned by other engineers or technicians.
• Identify when issues require escalation, additional resources, or program-level decisions.

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