Feature Systems Engineer

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Feature Systems Engineer to architect and develop vehicle system features from concept to production. You will fuse systems and software engineering to create innovative in-vehicle digital experiences, defining networks, wiring, power distribution, and implementing MBSE validation via SiL testing.

The role requires strong focus on DFMEA, Six Sigma, and requirement-to-test traceability using Gherkin, Python, and MBSE tools, with collaboration across product and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 3+ years in Systems or Software Engineering (automotive preferred).
• 3+ years in vehicle electrical systems/features (CAN, Ethernet).
• 3+ years cross-functional collaboration resolving software/CAN issues.
• 3+ years of Matlab/Simulink and Python for scripting/test automation.
• 2+ years with BDD/Gherkin testing frameworks and test automation workflows.
• 3+ years with DFMEA/Failure Mode Avoidance methodologies and quality documentation.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop vehicle features from concept to production, including topology, schematics, and block diagrams.
• Create DFMEA/Failure Mode Avoidance docs, verification plans, and safety/cybersecurity assessments.
• Use Model Based Systems Engineering tools to define architectures and validate control strategies via SiL testing.
• Develop and maintain Gherkin-based test scripts and ensure traceability with Jira/JAMA.
• Lead Six Sigma-driven design improvements and facilitate cross-functional trade-off discussions.
• Collaborate with product, program, and core engineering teams and with suppliers to explore new technologies.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Automotive electronics

Python

Matlab/Simulink

Gherkin/BDD

C++

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / Mechatronics

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

JAMA

Jira

Stateflow

MagicDraw

DFMEA tooling

Job description

In this position...

Ford is seeking a Feature Systems Engineer to architect and develop vehicle features at the systems level, from early concept through production, fusing systems and software engineering to create innovative in-vehicle digital experiences. This role owns the full engineering lifecycle for complex vehicle features—from defining network, wiring, and power distribution topologies, authoring specifications and DFMEA/Failure Mode Avoidance documentation, and using Model Based Systems Engineering tools like MATLAB/Simulink and Python to validate control strategies through SiL testing. The ideal candidate will also build and maintain BDD/Gherkin test automation frameworks to ensure requirement-to-test traceability, while championing quality workshops and applying Six Sigma principles to drive continuous design improvement.

Ford is seeking a Feature Systems Engineer to architect and develop vehicle features at the systems level, from early concept through production, fusing systems and software engineering to create innovative in-vehicle digital experiences. This role owns the full engineering lifecycle for complex vehicle features—from defining network, wiring, and power distribution topologies, authoring specifications and DFMEA/Failure Mode Avoidance documentation, and using Model Based Systems Engineering tools like MATLAB/Simulink and Python to validate control strategies through SiL testing. The ideal candidate will also build and maintain BDD/Gherkin test automation frameworks to ensure requirement-to-test traceability, while championing quality workshops and applying Six Sigma principles to drive continuous design improvement.

What You'll Do

• Architect and develop features at the systems level—from early concept through production—including new features/feature upgrades/migrations, network/wiring/power distribution topologies, schematics, and block diagrams; allocate features to meet cost, quality, and performance targets.
• Develop feature/functional/implementation specifications, DFMEA/Failure Mode Avoidance documentation, verification plans, functional safety assessments, and cybersecurity assessments & mitigations.
• Use Model Based Systems Engineering tools (Python, C++, Matlab, Simulink, Stateflow, Magic Draw) to define logical architectures, develop/execute control strategies, and validate logic via SiL testing before implementation.
• Develop and maintain Behavior Driven Development scripts (Gherkin syntax), create/manage Step Definitions using the Behave package in Python, and ensure requirement-to-test traceability using tools like JAMA and Jira.
• Champion Failure Mode Avoidance/DFMEA workshops; apply 6 Sigma (DMAIC/DFSS) principles; analyze warranty/quality metrics (GQRS, AWS) to drive design improvements.
• Interact with product, program, and core engineering teams; lead trade-off discussions; develop relationships with multi-functional teams and suppliers to identify new technologies and cost/quality opportunities.
• Communicate complex systems, issues, and resolutions clearly and concisely; apply connected data & analytics to build deep customer understanding.
• Serve as a key specialist in next-generation vehicle development, fusing systems and software engineering to create innovative in-vehicle digital experiences; lead design, validation, and optimization of complex vehicle features.

You'll have

• Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience in Systems Engineering and/or Software Engineering (preferably automotive).
• 3+ years of vehicle electrical systems/features, including electrical module design, networking, wiring, power distribution, body/chassis systems, and vehicle networking protocols (CAN, Ethernet).
• 3+ years of proven cross-functional collaboration resolving software/CAN communication issues; ability to work within Agile teams (Epics, Sagas) and communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• 3+ years of advanced proficiency in Matlab Simulink and strong Python coding skills for scripting/test automation.
• 2+ years of experience with BDD/Gherkin testing frameworks and test automation workflows.
• 3+ years of experience with systems engineering V-model with deep understanding of DFMEA/Failure Mode Avoidance methodologies, quality documentation (Special Characteristics, Boundary Diagrams), and specification/requirements writing.
• 3+ years of experience with training others in simulation/robustness tools and proactively identify system gaps using data-driven approaches.
• 3+ years of Strong systems thinking and analytical skills, with excellent written/verbal communication and resilience under pressure.

Even better, you may have

• Master's Degree in relevant engineering field; 5+ years of automotive engineering experience.
• 3+ years of Seat experience in automotive engineering.
• Hands-on experience developing, implementing, and supporting software applications through the full lifecycle (design, architecture, development, testing, integration).
• Electrical D&R/testing experience.
• Functional safety (HARA, Safety Goals, FSRs/TSRs) and cybersecurity (TARA) familiarity.
• Experience with Ford internal tools (FEDE, VSEM, GPDS) and embedded software principles (AUTOSAR).
• Version control experience (Git/GitHub).

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 $99,600-$166,600.

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.

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.