Global Head of IVI - Audio & Connectivity Domain HW Architecture

Lincoln Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Generous PTO and paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company seeks a Global Head of IVI, Audio, & Connectivity Domain Hardware to own architecture, strategy, and lifecycle delivery for IVI, audio, displays and connectivity across Ford’s vehicle platforms. You will lead Core and Application engineering globally, driving modular, cost‑optimized architectures and ensuring robust governance and cross‑functional alignment.

You will manage multi‑year roadmaps, partner with Purchasing and Manufacturing to align with TVM targets, and guide

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in high‑complexity automotive electronic systems, consumer electronics, or connected embedded devices.
• 8+ years leading large-scale, multi-regional engineering organizations with direct oversight of both Core (platform) and Application (program delivery) teams.
• Proven track record of architecting, industrializing, and launching complex electronic hardware commodities (infotainment, high‑resolution displays, premium acoustics, or wireless telematics/connectivity).

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the multi-year hardware technology roadmap and commodity business plans across IVI, Audio, Display, and Connectivity in alignment with enterprise product cycles.
• Champion platform modularity, scalability, and hardware reuse globally to maximize return on investment, reduce complexity, and accelerate time-to-market.
• Partner with Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Finance to align technical roadmaps with sourcing strategies, supplier capabilities, capital allocations, and TVM cost-reduction targets.
• Direct global Core and Application engineering teams, establishing domain hardware architectures, unified design rules, interfaces, and technical standards.
• Ensure seamless cross-functional alignment across hardware, embedded software, vehicle electrical architectures, zonal compute controllers, RF/antennas, power systems, and cybersecurity/functional safety frameworks.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or an MBA with strong technical foundation

Job description

About Ford

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.

The Role

As the Global Head of IVI, Audio, & Connectivity Domain Hardware, you will hold enterprise-wide accountability for the hardware architecture, technology strategy, industrialization, and lifecycle delivery of Ford’s In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI), Audio, Display, and Connectivity systems.

In this leadership role, you will bridge long-range cycle planning and advanced engineering with high-volume vehicle program execution. Leading both Core and Application engineering organizations globally, you will drive modular, reusable, and cost-optimized hardware architectures across all Ford vehicle platforms. You will establish technical governance, ensure seamless integration with modern zonal electrical architectures, and partner closely with Purchasing, Manufacturing, and Software teams to deliver world-class digital cabin experiences that meet rigorous quality, cost, cybersecurity, and launch targets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Roadmaps & Commodity Business Planning

• Define and execute the multi-year hardware technology roadmap and commodity business plans across IVI, Audio, Display, and Connectivity in alignment with enterprise product cycles.
• Champion platform modularity, scalability, and hardware reuse globally to maximize return on investment, reduce complexity, and accelerate time-to-market.
• Partner with Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Finance to align technical roadmaps with sourcing strategies, supplier capabilities, capital allocations, and Total Value Management (TVM) cost-reduction targets.

Architecture, Core & Application Engineering

• Direct global Core and Application engineering teams, establishing domain hardware architectures, unified design rules, interfaces, and technical standards.
• Ensure seamless cross-functional alignment across hardware, embedded software, vehicle electrical architectures, zonal compute controllers, RF/antennas, power systems, and cybersecurity/functional safety frameworks.
• Lead executive-level architecture reviews, design sign-offs, technical maturity gates, and critical trade-off analyses.

Systems Integration & Program Delivery

• Maintain end-to-end delivery accountability from concept feasibility and advanced technology maturation through high-volume production launch and sustained lifecycle support.
• Drive disciplined engineering execution using rigorous systems engineering practices, including robust requirements management, DFMEA, worst-case circuit analysis, and comprehensive validation plans.
• Establish domain-wide technical readiness, launch sign-off criteria, and post-launch field stabilization metrics.

Quality, Industrialization & Operational Excellence

• Partner with Manufacturing and Tier-1/Tier-2 supply partners to guarantee production readiness, tooling capacity, supply-chain resilience, and seamless industrialization.
• Champion zero-defect culture by proactively identifying root causes, mitigating technical risks, and rapidly resolving complex integration, launch, warranty, or field issues.
• Lead executive-level technical escalations, providing strategic direction and decisive resolution for critical program roadblocks.

Global Organizational Leadership & Governance

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a world-class global organization of engineering managers, chief architects, hardware specialists, and integration engineers.
• Establish consistent global engineering processes, rigorous technical governance, and transparent decision-making rights.
• Cultivate top technical talent, advance succession planning, and foster an inclusive, high-accountability engineering culture.

You’ll Have...

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in high‑complexity automotive electronic systems, consumer electronics, or connected embedded devices.
• 8+ years leading large-scale, multi-regional engineering organizations with direct oversight of both Core (platform) and Application (program delivery) teams.
• Proven track record of architecting, industrializing, and launching complex electronic hardware commodities (infotainment, high‑resolution displays, premium acoustics, or wireless telematics/connectivity).

You May Also Have...

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or an MBA with a strong technical undergraduate foundation.
• Technical Expertise & Complexity: Deep domain mastery across high-speed digital circuit design, SoC/compute integration, RF/connectivity (5G/C-V2X, Wi‑Fi, BT, GNSS), complex display modules, automotive audio processing/amplification, EMC/EMI mitigation, and thermal management within automotive environments.
• Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated success translating long-term business and consumer trends into actionable multi-year technology roadmaps, commodity sourcing strategies, and significant TVM/cost optimization results.
• Systems Thinking & Problem Solving: Demonstrated mastery in resolving highly ambiguous, multidisciplinary engineering bottlenecks spanning hardware, firmware/software, vehicle networking (Ethernet, CAN, LIN), and vehicle power distribution.
• Influence & Executive Communication: Exceptional executive presence with the ability to synthesize complex engineering trade-offs and build consensus across C-suite leadership, vehicle line directors, manufacturing operations, and global Tier-1 suppliers.
• Discretion & Impact: Proven capability to operate with broad latitude and enterprise-level discretion, making high-impact decisions that balance cost, performance, quality, and program delivery on a global scale.

What You’ll Receive In Return…

As part of the Ford family, you’ll enjoy excellent compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings and stock investment plans, incentive compensation, and much more. You’ll also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.

Our Benefits Summary Can Be Found Here

2026-New-Hire-Benefit-Summary-LL4.pdf

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.

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.

Onsite work of up to four days per week may be required for candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub location.