Design & Release Engineer

Ford, Inc; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount program

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford in Dearborn seeks a motivated Design & Release Engineer to manage the Telematics Control Unit (TCU) module and lead end-to-end TCU software delivery and system integration across FNV2, FNV3 and FNV3.x architectures. This role requires on-site validation and launch leadership, proactive risk management, and strong collaboration with program teams to ensure on-time GPDS sign-off and post-launch support.

You will drive software delivery, support vehicle launches, and use data-driven methods to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering or equivalent.
• 2+ years of experience with software planning and releasing in vehicle programs (WERS/IVS desirable).
• 1+ years in automotive with CAN/Ethernet and quality standards (DVP&R, DFMEA).
• 1+ years working in Agile with Jira and Confluence.
• 1+ years authoring engineering docs and delivering technical presentations.
• Experience with Ford systems WERS and IVS is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead software delivery and integration of TCU software across FNV2, FNV3, FNV3.x.
• Drive vehicle launch success with timely TCU software integration.
• Manage ongoing improvements and post-launch software maintenance.
• Foster agile collaboration across program teams and internal software teams.
• Cultivate innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure on-time delivery aligned with vehicle program requirements.
• Leverage data-driven analysis to support engineering decisions.
• Provide on-site support for troubleshooting, flashing, testing, and validation.
• Proactively identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Skills

Software planning

Vehicle release lifecycle

Agile methods

Jira/Confluence

Technical documentation

Presentation skills

Education

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

Master's degree in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering

Tools

Jira

Confluence

WERS

IVS

Job description

In this position... We are seeking a motivated, technical, and passionate Design & Release Engineer to manage the Telematics Control Unit (TCU) module and lead end to end TCU software delivery and system integration across FNV2, FNV3 and FNV3.x architectures. This role is required to perform on site validation and launch leadership, foster agile cross functional collaboration, proactively manage risks, and ensure on time GPDS sign off and post launch support.

What you'll do...

• Lead Software Delivery and Integration: delivering and integrating TCU software into FNV2, FNV3, and FNV3.x vehicles. This includes overseeing technical execution, meeting deadlines, and adhering to project requirements.
• Drive Vehicle Launch Success: Provide leadership and support for the successful launch of new vehicles by ensuring timely integration and functionality of TCU software.
• Manage ongoing improvements and software maintenance to address post-launch issues.
• Foster Agile Collaboration: Facilitate effective collaboration between program teams and the internal software development team. Champion agile methodologies to ensure efficient and timely software delivery across multiple vehicle programs.
• Cultivate Innovation and Improvement: Promote a team environment that fosters innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. Encourage exploration of new solutions and strategies to enhance TCU software.
• Ensure On-Time Delivery: Partner with software development program management teams to define and implement processes that guarantee the on-time delivery of software, aligned with established vehicle program requirements.
• Leverage Data-Driven Approach: Advocate for and utilize connected vehicle data to support engineering problem-solving and data-driven decision-making processes.
• On-site support: Provide on-site support to troubleshoot, flash, test and validate TCU SW at system level (Breadboard or vehicle) to help collect data required to improve SW quality.
• Proactive Risk Management: Apply project management best practices by proactively identifying potential project risks associated with software development and integration.
• Develop mitigation strategies or elevate critical risks for timely resolution.

You'll have...

• Bachelors Degree in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 2+ years of experience with software planning and releasing with strong understanding of vehicle program release lifecycle. Experience with Ford systems specifically WERS and IVS is highly desirable
• 1+ years of experience within the automotive industry with practical knowledge of communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet), and quality standards, specifically in executing DVP&R (Design Verification Plan and Report) and DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis).
• 1+ years of experience operating within Agile frameworks, with advanced proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Jira and Confluence
• 1+ years of expert-level skills in authoring comprehensive engineering documents and delivering high-impact technical presentation

Even better, you may have...

• M.S. in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to establish robust project frameworks, including the clear definition of milestones, deliverables, and critical-path timelines.

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• 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.

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86,600-$144,900. 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.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR

Visa sponsorship is not 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.

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.

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