Staff Vehicle Software Integration & Test Engineer

Ford Motor • Palo Alto, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly capable and self-directed Vehicle Software Integration & Test Engineer to lead vehicle-level software integration, validation and development operations across embedded domains—chassis, body, thermal, and more. This role is critical in ensuring high software quality through robust in-vehicle testing and operational readiness of the development fleet. You’ll collaborate closely with software, calibration, integration, and test engineering teams to plan, execute, and debug vehicle-level test campaigns, while driving day-to-day development activities with a high degree of autonomy. This role will also require travel to proving grounds and other company test sites to support seasonal validation efforts and major release milestones.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field; or equivalent hands-on technical experience.
• 3+ years of experience in vehicle-level software validation, systems integration, prototype vehicle operations, or automotive technician work.
• Strong working knowledge of automotive embedded systems, including chassis control ECUs, body modules, thermal management, braking, steering, and powertrain.
• Experience supporting vehicle bring-up, calibration loops, or multi-domain integration testing.
• Comfortable with ECU flashing, calibration updates, and electrical troubleshooting.
• Strong proficiency with CAN tools and software for diagnostic interfaces, and log analysis for embedded systems such as CANalyzer, CANape, CANoe, Intrepid CS tools, and MATLAB.
• Hands-on experience with vehicle dynamics concepts and testing methods, including ride and handling evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate development vehicles safely and confidently in a test environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Willingness to travel for test trips and support off-site builds and test campaigns as required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with EV platforms and modern vehicle software architecture.
• Accredited proving ground driver training or experience with at-limit driving.
• Experience with HIL systems and vehicle simulation environments.
• Hands-on skills with wiring, sensors, and harnesses in a prototype environment.
• Familiarity with Python scripting or automation tools for data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of functional safety principles (ISO 26262)
• Familiarity with software release tools and test case management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute vehicle-level test plans for pre-merge and post-merge software releases across multiple domains, including chassis/motion controls, body systems, and thermal management.
• Design and perform in-vehicle tests, including ride and handling evaluations, stability assessments, and performance tuning, using data acquisition and analysis tools.
• Contribute to the creation and improvement of vehicle-level test processes, test plans, and validation workflows.
• Develop and implement repeatable test procedures for vehicle-level software features and attributes.
• Operate and evaluate vehicles in structured and exploratory test routes to validate embedded feature behavior and performance.
• Maintain the readiness of the prototype fleet for daily testing, demos, and development activities.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to define test requirements, methods, and success criteria.
• Analyze and interpret data from vehicle testing, providing insights to support engineering development and tuning of control systems.
• Document testing procedures, results, modifications, and software issues with clear context, reproduction steps, and logs using task/bug tracking tools (e.g., Jira).
• Provide detailed feedback on vehicle behavior and support root-cause investigations.
• Support the installation, validation, and troubleshooting of new ECUs and software builds.
• Perform vehicle bring-up tasks, including retrofitting new hardware and ECUs, flashing, and wiring harness checkout.
• Lead vehicle readiness, including software flashing, configuration setup, and instrumentation installation.
• Debug complex software/hardware integration issues across various domains (e.g., chassis controls, body, thermals, infotainment).
• Collect, analyze, and report CAN/LIN/Ethernet logs to identify root causes and assist engineering teams.
• Support the setup, configuration of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) benches, including the integration of chassis control modules for simulation and testing.
• Travel to various testing locations, proving grounds, and company test sites to support vehicle setup, operation, data collection, and seasonal validation efforts.
• Willingness to support irregular hours (evenings/weekends) as needed for prototype operations and test campaigns.

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: Manager