Software Developer - Systems Performance

Ford Motor Company; Oakville; Hybrid; CAD 96,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford of Canada’s EVDD team seeks a Systems Software Performance engineer to optimize next-generation infotainment platforms and telematics. You’ll own measurements, deep-trace analysis, and cross-domain optimizations across embedded systems, from kernel to UI.

Role emphasizes aggressive profiling, memory and power optimization, and collaboration with hardware partners in a hybrid work environment. Bachelor’s degree required with 3–5 years in embedded C/C++, Python, and RTOS experience.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ professional experience in embedded C/C++ development.
• 3+ years’ experience in Python programming.
• Hands-on experience with Linux and/or Android internals.
• Proven experience with multi-threaded embedded systems design and Real-Time OS (RTOS) concepts.

Responsibilities

• Measure system behavior to isolate sub-optimal interactions and deep-dive into bottlenecks across all layers—from Kernel/Drivers to Application/UI— to implement system-level performance fixes.
• Design and build on-device and server-side tools, plus automated testing, to capture and post-process key performance diagnostics.
• Characterize performance impacts of new feature submissions against KPI budgets (boot time, latency, throughput).
• Contribute to team deliverables through agile scrum participation.
• Monitor and optimize memory footprint, resolve leaks, fragmentation, and resource contention for long-term stability.
• Profile and optimize power, thermal behavior, and sleep/wake cycles for efficiency without hurting responsiveness.
• Build telemetry pipelines and remote logging to analyze real-world performance data and detect regressions.
• Collaborate with hardware vendors to leverage accelerators for efficient CPU utilization and throughput.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Python

Linux internals

RTOS concepts

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

strace

ftrace

LTTng

Perfetto

QNX Momentics

Jenkins

Git

Job description

Ford of Canada's operations include a national headquarters, three vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants, three parts distribution centres, and three Connectivity and Innovation centres. Ford employs approximately 7,000 people in Canada, while an additional 18,000 people are employees in the more than 400 Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealerships across the country. For more information, please visit www.careers.ford.com

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.

In this position...

As a member of the Systems Software Performance team, you will work on next-generation automotive infotainment platforms, telematics, and high-impact connected car innovations. This team is responsible for the end-to-end performance lifecycle: from measurement and deep-trace analysis to the research, design, and implementation of optimizations across various embedded domains.

What You’ll Do... The primary responsibilities for this position include but is not limited to:

• Measure system behavior to isolate sub-optimal interactions and deep-dive into complex bottlenecks across all layers—from Kernel and Drivers up to Application and UI to architect and implement system-level performance fixes.
• Design and build on-device and server-side tools, alongside automated testing, to capture and post-process key performance diagnostics.
• Characterize the performance impacts of new feature submissions against established KPI budgets (such as boot time, latency, and throughput).
• Contribute actively to team deliverables through participation in agile scrum development sprints.
• Monitor and optimize system memory footprint, resolving memory leaks, fragmentation, and resource contention to maintain long-term stability during continuous operation.
• Profile and optimize power consumption, thermal behavior, and system sleep/wake cycles to maximize efficiency without compromising responsiveness.
• Build telemetry pipelines and remote logging mechanisms to analyze real-world performance data from test fleets and proactively detect regressions.
• Collaborate with hardware vendors and silicon partners to leverage hardware accelerators, ensuring efficient CPU utilization and optimal throughput.

You’ll have...

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field of study.

Experience:

• 3-5 years’ professional experience in embedded C/C++ development.
• 3+ years’ experience in Python programing.
• Hands-on experience with Linux and/or Android internals.
• Proven experience with multi-threaded embedded systems design and Real-Time OS (RTOS) concepts.

Even better, you may have...

Education:

Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience:

• Specialized optimization experience in one or more areas: File Systems, Memory Management, CPU Scheduling, or Kernel Configuration.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Expertise with performance profiling tools such as strace, ftrace, LTTng, Perfetto, QNX Momentics.
• Proficiency in scripting languages, particularly Python, for data parsing and automation.
• Experience with In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) or automotive networking (CAN, Automotive Ethernet).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins) and modern version control (Git).
• Knowledge of data visualization techniques to communicate performance trends to stakeholders.
• A self-driven mindset with the ability to thrive in a multi-site, collaborative environment.

This posting is for an existing vacancy within our team.

The expected annual salary range for this Ford of Canada position is $ 96,000.00 - $146,000.00 and individuals may be eligible to participate in our Annual Compensation bonus program.

Successful candidates will be required to provide proof of degree completion for the highest level of education attained. If the degree was obtained from a school outside of Canada, an Education Credential Assessment report showing Canadian equivalency is also required.

We thank all candidates for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ford of Canada is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a culturally diverse workforce.

Accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes, where needed, are available upon request. Please inform Human Resources of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require.

Candidates for this position must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, does not sponsor work permit applications.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.