Chassis ECU D&R Engineer

Ford; Allen Park (MI); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid parental leave

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford Racing is seeking a seasoned controls engineer to deliver embedded controls software and ECUs for semi-active suspension across programs. You will collaborate with powertrain, chassis, and architecture teams to shape Ford’s dynamic performance technologies.

Ideal candidates have strong MATLAB/Simulink expertise, embedded systems experience, and a collaborative mindset. Hybrid onsite work in Allen Park, MI is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering.
• 6+ years of relevant ECU D&R experience.
• High proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink modeling.
• Proficiency in embedded systems and microcontrollers.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience with JIRA/Confluence or similar tracking tools.

Responsibilities

• Design and release VDM control modules, sensors, and brackets—own all deliverables.
• Guide supplier partners through GPDS process.
• Perform Failure Mode Avoidance and Functional Safety analyses.
• Define requirements for advanced suspension control systems with Vehicle Dynamics team.
• Ensure vehicle interfaces are defined and supported across teams.
• Support testing, hardware-in-the-loop simulations, and system validation.
• Manage system quality, cost and timing for high-quality deliverables.
• Lead development of chassis controls HW/SW for VDM and ECU hardware.
• Develop testing methodologies for maturity and release readiness.
• Develop SIL/HIL testing methods for Ford Racing modules.

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

Embedded systems

Microcontrollers

Electrical fundamentals

Team collaboration

JIRA/Confluence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering

Tools

CANalyzer

CANape

Job description

In this position...

We’re looking for an experienced and talented individual to join Ford Racing to serve as a controls engineer who will deliver semi-active suspension and chassis controls software and ECUs across multiple programs.

As we expand our global Ford Racing team, we are seeking an engineer that can help shape our growth, our people and our products. This role will be focused on managing embedded controls software and ECUsPre-PS through OPD for all Ford Racing Applications. Applicants will also interface with teams including powertrain, chassis and architecture engineers, and digital performance feature owners, allowing for numerous opportunities to expand technical knowledge in a wide area of automotive technologies, systems, and components.

What you'll do...

• Design and release VDM control modules, sensors, and brackets -- fully own all deliverables associated with your systems

• Guide supplier partners through the Ford Global Product Development System (GPDS) process

• Perform Failure Mode Avoidance and Functional Safety analyses to examine potential failure modes and design suitable prevention strategies

• Work with chassis controls Technical Specialist and Vehicle Dynamics team to establish requirements for advanced suspension control systems and emerging new technologies

• Work with other functional areas within Ford (Electrical, Powertrain, Vehicle Operations, and Vehicle Program teams) to ensure that all vehicle interfaces are defined and supported

• Support component and vehicle testing, rig testing, and Hardware-In-the-Loop simulations to demonstrate system functionality

• Manage system quality, cost and timing to ensure high quality program deliverables

• Lead team designing and implementing the chassis controls HW and SW on the vehicle dynamics module (VDM) controlling Ford Racing’s off-road semi-active suspensions.

• Specification, design, implementation, and testing of VDM and other ECU hardware

• Identify reusable strategies from current Ford in-house hardware and software to accelerate new Ford Racing algorithm development

• Develop software strategies that utilize a mix of Ford and Ford Racing in-house resources as well as outside resources

• Expand Ford Racing VDM hardware and software to control new semi-active suspension hardware (Stabilizer Bars, new damper technology)

• Work with/resolve ambiguity in requirements/specifications/designs

• Develop software and hardware component testing methodologies and implementations to ensure maturity/stability/release readiness

• Develop SIL/HIL testing methods for Ford Racing modules including using hardware debuggers

• Familiar with ISO26262-compliant software

• Develop comprehensive test plans and perform thorough testing to validate EMC and environmental testing as well as SW testing firmware functionality, stability, and performance under normal, extreme, and faulted conditions

• Hands-on hardware , systems integration knowledge

• Familiar with ECU manufacturing and testing

You'll have...

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering; equivalent experience demonstrating exceptional ability may also qualify.

  • 6+ years of relevant experience in ECU D&R.

  • High proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink modeling.

  • Proficiency in embedded systems and microcontrollers.

  • Knowledge of electrical engineering fundamentals, including circuit analysis and design.

  • Highly collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.

  • Experience with JIRA/Confluence or a similar system for tracking inputs and results.

Even better, you may have...

• Working knowledge of semi-active damper technology, including solenoid controls, internal bypass dampers, and CCD dampers.

  • Working knowledge of mechatronic chassis devices, such as steering and brake controls.

  • Demonstrated experience in supplier management, cost negotiation, launch, GPDS Pre-UNV0 to OKTB delivery, and global program delivery.

  • Experience with FMEA and related quality-assurance processes.

  • Self-starter who can learn new tools, find solutions, and troubleshoot and fix vehicle problems.

  • Outstanding leadership and communication skills.

  • Familiarity with digital and analog data-acquisition systems.

  • Awareness of, or experience with, ISO 26262.

  • Experience in early prototype development.

  • Experience with in-vehicle software integration and testing.

  • Experience with Embedded Coder code generation.

  • Experience in powertrain controls or chassis controls.

  • Experience with Ford Networked Vehicle (FNV) architecture.

  • Experience with Ford and Vector diagnostic software, including DET, CANalyzer, and CANape.

  • Experience with fundamental PCB hardware components and their analysis tools.

  • Fluency in software fundamentals, including software design and maintainability.

  • Hands-on experience in hardware bring-up and system debugging.

  • Working knowledge of the Ford Platform Software Release process.

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 not available for this position.

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 5 and ranges from $68,300-$114,800.,

This position is a salary grade 6 and ranges from $85,400-$143,200.,

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $99,600-$166,600.,

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $115,000-$192,900.

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.

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