Software Quality Engineer

Ford Motor

Dearborn (MI)

Hybrid

USD 99,100 - 166,200

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Hybrid work model

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Ford Motor Company seeks a seasoned Software Quality Assurance Engineer to drive defect prevention and quality across embedded software in connected vehicle platforms. Lead RCA efforts, apply 8D/5 Whys/PDCA, and develop robust PRAs with cross‑functional engineering teams.

The role emphasizes audits, non‑conformance resolution, statistical quality monitoring, and training to embed a shift‑left quality culture within the software development lifecycle.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of software engineering experience in the automotive industry, with focus on software quality and defect prevention.
Proven expertise in software defect prevention methodologies, including embedded software systems.
Hands‑on experience with structured problem‑solving tools (8D, 5 Whys, Root Cause Analysis facilitation, PDCA).
Experience conducting quality audits and managing non‑conformance resolution.
Strong background in Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) for software systems.
Strong embedded software development expertise.
Experience applying statistical methods to monitor and improve quality metrics.
Excellent communication, coaching, and training skills to drive improvements.
Experience in a software quality organization highly desired.

Responsibilities

Facilitate RCA of identified issues with cross‑functional engineering disciplines.
Use structured problem‑solving methods to identify true root causes.
Document RCA findings with contributing factors and weaknesses.
Define Prevent Recurrence Actions (PRAs) with teams to eliminate root causes.
Maintain a tracking mechanism for PRAs and monitor progress to closure.
Verify corrective actions improve quality without introducing new issues.
Document non‑conformances and potential issues.
Collaborate with teams to resolve non‑conformances and verify effectiveness.
Plan, schedule, and perform quality audits across processes and products.
Identify non‑compliance, risks, and improvement opportunities.
Generate audit reports and communicate findings to stakeholders.
Establish data collection for key quality metrics and monitor trends.
Apply statistical methods to quality metrics and trends.
Partner with cross‑functional teams to implement targeted actions.
Synthesize SWQA data into clear, actionable summaries.
Develop dashboards, newsletters, and executive presentations for SWQA status.
Collaborate with supplier quality management to meet Ford eSoW requirements.
Conduct software design reviews to ensure quality standards.
Participate in engineering joint reviews to reinforce best practices.
Coach and train teams on software quality, including ASPICE compliance.

Skills

Root Cause Analysis

PDCA

FMA

Embedded software

Statistical methods

Cross-functional collaboration

Coaching/Training

ASPICE

Defect prevention

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

5 Whys

PDCA

ASPICE

Job description

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Do you want to drive business strategy and define products for software and digital experiences? Enterprise Connectivity Business Operations team translates those strategic choices into tangible business propositions. We represent the voice of the customer as we build distinctive, always‑on connected vehicle technologies and services that transform the ownership experience.

The Software Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for applying advanced quality methodologies and tools to proactively identify, analyze, and eliminate potential defects throughout the product lifecycle. This role champions a "shift-left" approach, embedding prevention strategies into every stage of software and product development.

You will translate quality principles and defect prevention vision into concrete action — acting as a trusted technical partner to cross‑functional stakeholders and collaborating closely with engineering teams to embed robust, systemic defect prevention practices across our automotive platforms.

Responsibilities

What you’ll do…

Facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA) of identified issues, collaborating with cross‑functional engineering disciplines
Employ structured problem‑solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, 3‑Legged 5 Whys, PDCA) to identify true underlying causes rather than symptoms
Document RCA findings, clearly capturing contributing factors and systemic weaknesses
Define robust Prevent Recurrence Actions (PRAs) with relevant teams to eliminate root causes
Establish and maintain a systematic tracking mechanism for PRAs, monitoring progress to closure
Verify implemented actions achieve the desired quality improvement without introducing new issues
Document identified non‑conformances and potential issues
Collaborate with responsible teams to resolve non‑conformances, track progress, and verify corrective measure effectiveness
Plan, schedule, and perform quality audits across processes and products
Identify non‑compliance, risks, and improvement opportunities
Generate audit reports, communicate findings to stakeholders, and drive timely closure; elevate as needed to resolve open findings
Establish and maintain data collection processes for key quality measures
Apply statistical methods to monitor quality metrics and identify trends
Partner with cross‑functional teams to implement targeted actions, bringing processes and product quality back within control limits
Synthesize Software Quality Assurance (SWQA) data and activities into clear, actionable summaries
Develop and maintain dashboards, newsletters, executive summaries, and formal presentations to communicate SWQA status, KPIs, risks, and improvement initiatives to both engineering teams and executive leadership
Collaborate with supplier quality management teams to ensure externally sourced components meet Ford eSoW requirements and support overall defect prevention
Conduct software design reviews to ensure compliance with architectural and quality standards
Participate in engineering joint reviews to reinforce best practices in software development
Coach and train engineering teams on software quality best practices, including ASPICE compliance

Qualifications

You’ll have…

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
10+ years of software engineering experience in the automotive industry, with a strong focus on software quality and defect prevention (root cause analysis, corrective/preventive action management, quality audits). Experience in verification & validation is a plus but is not a substitute for direct defect prevention/quality engineering experience.
Proven expertise in software defect prevention methodologies, including within embedded software systems
Hands‑on experience with structured problem‑solving tools (8D, 5 Whys, Root Cause Analysis facilitation, PDCA)
Experience conducting quality audits and managing non‑conformance resolution
Strong background in Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) for software systems
Strong embedded software development expertise
Experience applying statistical methods to monitor and improve quality metrics
Excellent communication, coaching, and training skills to drive cultural and technical improvements
Experience working within a software quality organization highly desired

Even better, you may have…

ASPICE Assessor Certification
Experience with software process assessments
Experience with automotive software engineering development processes
Experience with Ford GPDS and as a Ford Design & Release Engineer
Experience with Ford eSoW requirements and supplier quality management
Experience with DevOps, continuous integration, and automated software testing
Understanding of open-source software compliance and cybersecurity best practices

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 salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200.

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. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid

#LI-SC3

Job Info