Director, Virtualization, V&V

Ford; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Family building benefits

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Ford Motor Company seeks a senior leader to transform software and vehicle validation in a virtual environment. You will lead a multi-regional team delivering vECUs and digital twins, partnering with Systems Lifecycle, Development, TPM, and Vehicle Programs to align on software validation needs and scalability.

You’ll guide roadmap execution, ensure V&V process adherence, and push a platform-centric delivery across programs, shaping Ford’s software quality approach for the future of mobility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or computer science/engineering (Master’s preferred).
• 15+ years in automotive with ECU hardware/software or validation experience.
• Proven track record in defining and delivering vECUs and virtual validation.
• Hybrid work: in-office Mexico City and remote noted; strong collaboration is expected.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and GPDS deliverables.
• Strong V&V experience and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-regional Virtualization & Simulation organization for software and system testing.
• Drive V&V strategy to improve software quality and automation.
• Scale adoption of vECUs across development and validation teams.
• Define and communicate roadmaps, plans, and execution status.
• Manage cost, investments, and adherence to plans with scorecards.
• Coordinate cross-functional issues and changes across teams.
• Ensure quality through V&V processes and metrics.
• Drive platform/tools consistency with V&V across programs.
• Meet platform timelines, mitigate risks, and control costs.
• Develop end-to-end plans for new platforms and designs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Team building

Decision making

Cross-functional

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or computer science/engineering

Tools

GPDS

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves? At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. We also believe in providing you with the freedom to define and realize your dreams. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career potential as you help us define tomorrow’s transportation.

In this position...

You will be an integral leader for bringing transformation to how software and vehicle validation is executed in a virtual environment. You will lead a team that is laser-focused on the definition and execution of vECUs and vehicle digital twin. Your team will partner with the Systems Lifecycle, Development, Technical Program Management, and Vehicle Programs and be in lockstep with Connected Vehicle Software and Global Technology Strategy initiatives. You will work closely with these teams to align on software validation and needs to provide a vECU solution and enable scalability. You and your team will be responsible for creating, communicating, and managing the roadmap and execution towards this roadmap. You will be responsible for adhering to the V&V process and compliance to KPIs.

You will demonstrate a passion for changing Ford’s approach to software and system quality which is currently focused on vehicle-specific solutions to a cross-program Platform delivery. You will be paving a new road for how Ford Motor Company executes Software Platforms.

What you'll do...

• Managing a multi-regional Virtualization & Simulation organization responsible for software and system testing to deliver quality software against committed plans.
• Driving V&V strategy changes through initiatives to improve SW quality by reducing defect escapes, increase automation and improve overall efficiency.
• Drive adoption of vECUs across development and validation teams to scale parallel testing.
• Leading teams interfacing with system owners, platform and features to define V&V strategy and communicate on planning and execution status.
• Managing communication of all changes, cost, investment, and adherence to all plans through standard scorecards.
• Leading communication meetings across cross-functional teams to facilitate and coordinate cross-module issues and changes.
• Driving a quality focus into team and deliverable through V&V process including leading metrics.
• Drive common tools, process, and methods aligning with the V&V team to drive efficiency.
• Managing to Platform and Program timelines, risk mitigation plans and cost/investment to ensure on-time and on-target delivery.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to streamline testing and improve quality.
• Developing detailed end-to-end plans for new platforms, products and designs.
• Track to the quality, financial, and talent objectives.

You'll have...

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or computer science/engineering or equivalent; Master’s degree desired but not required.
• 15+ years in automotive industry with ECU hardware/software development or system/software validation.
• Previous experience defining and delivering vECUs and virtual validation capabilities.
• Work hybrid schedule between in-office (Mexico City) and remote.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products.
• Experience with hardware/software from concept to production.
• Strong preference to have verification and validation experience.
• Experience with Ford Global Product Development System (GPDS) deliverables and timing.
• Experience in building effective teams and navigating teams to balance competing demands.
• Experience in building an effective team and develop positive workplace atmosphere.
• Ability to make sound decisions and exercise good judgement pertaining to operations, procedures, and new processes.
• Demonstrates positive teamwork ethics and good leadership behaviors.
• Skilled in technical planning, business strategy and product coordination.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong people skills.
• Expertise in development of materials for executive level consumption and ability to simplify the messaging to distill to key points.
• Resilient creative thinker and problem-solver. This position will often work in white space that requires evolution from traditional models of doing business.
• Initiative-taker with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a demanding environment.
• Strong drive for results with commitment to quality and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated capability of developing a cross-functional and global team environment.
• Ability to influence peers and stakeholders to gain alignment toward goals.
• Ability to see the big picture and excel in driving challenges that land in hardware, software, embedded system, cloud, supplier, etc.
• Demonstrated mindset of Continuous Improvement.
• Ability to see multiple workstreams and processes, to link synergies, and to eliminate redundancy.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

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 leadership level 4.

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/LL4Benefits

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.

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