Software Development (Embedded) Engineer

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

Job summary

Ford of Canada is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer with 8+ years of embedded software development experience, strong C programming and ARM-based platform skills, and working familiarity with AUTOSAR. This is a hands-on role focused on delivering robust, high-quality software for complex features while maintaining a full-system view that extends beyond individual component ownership.

The role involves designing, developing, and debugging embedded software, driving performance

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of embedded software development experience.
• Minimum 5 years experience in C programming.
• Minimum 5 years experience in ARM architecture and low-level software development.
• Minimum 1 year experience with AUTOSAR concepts and integration.
• Experience with CAN and Embedded Ethernet.
• Proven experience optimizing memory footprint, CPU utilization, and compiler options.
• Experience with software quality practices, metrics, and defect reduction.
• Effective communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and debug embedded C software for low-level and platform-level components.
• Drive performance optimization across RAM usage, CPU load, and compiler/build settings.
• Improve system robustness, fault handling, and stability through runtime behavior analysis.
• Define and track software quality metrics; lead continuous quality and reliability improvements.
• Own architecture, interfaces, and technical strategy for a critical embedded component; author and negotiate requirements/scope with stakeholders.
• Drive step-function improvements in quality, stability, and delivery predictability.
• Mentor junior engineers and coach across teams, establishing the technical bar for the component.
• Communicate technical content, tradeoffs, and risks clearly to engineers, program managers, and leadership.
• Maintain a system-level mindset, ensuring component decisions align with the overall product architecture.

Skills

C programming

ARM architecture

AUTOSAR concepts

CAN

Embedded Ethernet

Memory optimization

Embedded debugging

Software quality metrics

System architecture

Cross-team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Computer/Electrical)

Job description

Ford of Canada's operations include a national headquarters, three vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants, three parts distribution centers, and three Connectivity and Innovation centers. 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

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!

In this position..

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer with 8+ years of embedded software development experience, strong C programming and ARM-based platform skills, and working familiarity with AUTOSAR (expert-level knowledge is not required). This is a hands‑on role focused on delivering robust, high-quality software for complex features while maintaining a full-system view that extends beyond individual component ownership. The ideal candidate is a recognized domain expert with deep knowledge of platform architecture, capable of authoring and negotiating requirements and scope across stakeholders, and coaching across teams while treating connected components as part of a unified system.

What you'll do...

The primary responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

• Use AI and automation for high-leverage development work, and help shape team AI practices and guardrails.

• Design, develop, and debug embedded C software for low-level and platform-level components.

• Drive performance optimization across RAM usage, CPU load, and compiler/build settings.

• Improve system robustness, fault handling, and stability through runtime behavior analysis.

• Define and track software quality metrics; lead continuous quality and reliability improvements.

• Own architecture, interfaces, and technical strategy for a critical embedded component; author and negotiate requirements/scope with stakeholders.

• Drive step-function improvements in quality, stability, and delivery predictability.

• Mentor junior engineers and coach across teams, establishing the technical bar for the component.

• Communicate technical content, tradeoffs, and risks clearly to engineers, program managers, and leadership.

• Maintain a system-level mindset, ensuring component decisions align with the overall product architecture.

You'll have...

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Computer/Electrical) or related field of study. (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.)

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of embedded software development experience.

• Minimum 5 years experience in C programming.

• Minimum 5 years experience in ARM architecture and low-level software development.

• Minimum 1 year experience with AUTOSAR concepts and integration (expert-level not required).

• Experience with communication stacks such as CAN and Embedded Ethernet.

• Proven experience optimizing memory footprint, CPU utilization, and compiler options.

• Experience with software quality practices, metrics, and defect reduction.

• Effective communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences.

Even better, you may have...

• Automotive embedded software development experience.

• Familiarity with quality/safety frameworks (e.g., MISRA, ASPICE, ISO 26262).

• Experience with performance profiling, static analysis, and toolchain optimization.

• Experience mentoring engineers in a fast-paced development environment.

• Experience with additional communication stacks/protocols (e.g., LIN, SOME/IP, diagnostics over IP).

• Track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving cross-team technical alignment.

• Experience shaping AI-assisted development practices within a team.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering complex technical features.

• Demonstrated ability to own component-level architecture and negotiate requirements/scope with stakeholders.

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.

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.

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