Autonomous Mobility Solutions Engineer

Ford, Inc; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount program

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford is seeking an Autonomous Mobility Solutions Engineer to develop, validate, and deploy AMR solutions across Ford plants. You will evaluate OEM models, conduct conformance testing, and support go-live with cross-functional teams including MP&L, Manufacturing Engineering, and robotics suppliers.

The role requires strong background in autonomous mobility, ROS/ROS2, Python/C++, and experience with safety, cybersecurity, and interoperability standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in engineering, robotics, industrial automation, manufacturing or a related field.
• 3–5+ years in logistics automation, manufacturing systems, or equipment validation and launch.
• Familiarity with ANSI/RIA R15.08, ISO 3691-4, UL 3100, and VDA 5050.
• Hands-on in industrial networking MQTT protocols, TCP/IP architectures, PLC communications.
• Experience validating or launching automated equipment in production environments.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate technical feasibility of AMR models against factory applications.
• Define technical requirements and SOW content; assess supplier conformance.
• Validate localization maps, routes, and fleet software integration for go-live.
• Troubleshoot routing, traffic flow, and fleet software to diagnose defects.
• Collaborate with MP&L, Manufacturing Eng., IT, and operations on floor readiness.

Skills

Robotics

Industrial Automation

Manufacturing Systems

Logistics Automation

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering/Robotics/Industrial Automation or related field

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Linux

Python

C++

MQTT protocols

TCP/IP

PLC communications

Power BI

SQL

Job description

Shape the Future of Manufacturing with ATP

At Ford, we aren't just building vehicles - we are redefining how the world moves. Within the Advanced Industrial Technology and Platforms (ATP) organization, we build and scale industrial platforms, technologies, and capabilities that unlock Ford Firsts to drive sustained competitive advantage in manufacturing. Driven by our vision to 'build once, scale everywhere,' we bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and global physical deployment.

Ford's Advanced Industrial Technology & Platforms (ATP) organization is transforming manufacturing by integrating EVs, advanced robotics, additive manufacturing, AI vision, and digital platforms. Within ATP, FORGE develops end-to-end autonomous mobility applications for Movement, Assist and Manipulation

If you are a high-tech builder, thinker, or innovator who thrives at the intersection of software, hardware, and massive scale, ATP is where you belong. Join us and write the next chapter of industrial history.

In this position...

As an Autonomous Mobility Solutions Engineer, you will develop and validate solutions, evaluate AMR's from OEM's against Ford requirements, run software and hardware conformance testing, and support deployments through go-live. Working with MP&L, Manufacturing Engineering, plant operations, and robotics suppliers, you will ensure solutions fit plant needs and can be replicated across sites. A strong technical background is essential for evaluating suppliers, troubleshooting, and delivering proven deployments at scale.

What You'll Do

• Application Feasibility & Model Selection
• Evaluate technical feasibility of prospective AMR models against complex, physical factory and warehouse applications (e.g., cross-docking, line-side delivery, heavy pallet movement).
• Conduct structural match assessments, matching specific OEM specifications (kinematics, turning radius, navigation style) with operational facility constraints.
• Author engineering trade-off matrixes comparing distinct technology stacks (e.g., SLAM vs. QR-code navigation, inductive vs. opportunity charging).
• Define technical requirements and SOW content while holding suppliers accountable to acceptance criteria.

Hardware (HW) & Software (SW) Conformance

• Enforce hardware safety rules, guaranteeing all selected mobile platforms strictly conform to ANSI/RIA R15.08 (Parts 1 & 2), ISO 3691-4, and UL 3100 certifications.
• Verify software interoperability, auditing fleet compliance with open communication protocols like VDA 5050 and MassRobotics Interoperability Standards for multi-vendor fleet coexistence.
• Audit cybersecurity benchmarks (e.g., NIST frameworks or ETSI EN 303 645) across fleet software to protect network telemetry and edge devices.
• Prepare evidence packages required for formal Plant Safety and Cybersecurity approval boards.

Validation & Production Launch

• Execute validation plans covering normal operations, degraded conditions, and failure scenarios; document results.
• Confirm go-live readiness by validating localization maps, routes, parameters, fleet software integration, and safety functions.
• Support plant-floor commissioning and physical optimization through to final production launch.
• Troubleshoot technical faults across routing, traffic flow, fleet software, network connectivity, and equipment to drive issues to root cause.

Collaboration & Scale

• Partner with MP&L to translate material-flow needs—including line-side delivery, kitting, small-lot routes, and rack movement—into practical deployments.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Manufacturing Engineering, IT, plant operations, UAW representation, and production teams on floor readiness and layout.
• Manage supplier integration, acceptance testing, and closure of open issues.
• Support system integration with plant execution systems, industrial networks, PLCs, and safety devices.
• Drive replication using simulation and digital twins to accelerate pre-deployment verification, while monitoring post-launch metrics (availability, throughput, downtime) to apply lessons to future sites.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors in engineering, robotics, Industrial Automation, Manufacturing or a related field.
• 3–5+ years in logistics automation, technological feasibility mapping, manufacturing systems, or equipment validation and launch.
• Standards Expertise: Familiarity with ANSI/RIA R15.08, ISO 3691-4, UL 3100, and the VDA 5050 communication standard.
• Familiarity and hands‑on in industrial networking MQTT protocols, (TCP/IP architectures), PLC communications.
• Working understanding of autonomous mobility systems - navigation, localization, fleet management and traffic orchestration - sufficient to validate behavior and troubleshoot credibly.
• Experience validating or launching automated equipment in a production environment, including test planning and execution.
• Plant-floor troubleshooting ability - able to read logs, isolate a fault across system boundaries and tell a real defect from a test artifact.
• Ability and willingness to travel (5-10%) to USA, Canada and Mexico plants as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experiencedeploying autonomous mobility or material-handlingsystems in high-volume manufacturing.
• Robotics & Software Stack: Competency with ROS/ROS2, Linux environments, Python/C++
• Familiarity with plant logistics: PFEP, MHE, kitting, line-side delivery,androute design.
• Familiarity with ISO 3691-4, ANSI/RIA R15.08, ISO 13849,andVDA 5050.
• Familiarity with Ford GVOSS, GME-707, GPDS, safety, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Exposure to autonomous or driverless programs and shared-floor automated traffic.
• Experience with virtual commissioning, PLC safety, or industrial networking.
• Experience with reportingtools such asPower BI or analysisusingPython or SQL.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.

We offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• 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
• Generous vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day

This position is a salary grade 7-8 and ranges from $86,600-$166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.