Sr. Staff Embedded Controls Engineer Body Controls

Ford; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 256,000 - 307,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and prescription drug

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Equity/employee resource groups

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Sr. Staff Embedded Controls Engineer for Body Controls in Palo Alto, CA. The role blends hardware, firmware, and software collaboration to deliver robust body control features across test benches and vehicles. A hybrid work arrangement is required, with travel up to 10%.

The candidate will lead design reviews, write subsystem block diagrams, and validate firmware performance through SIL/HIL testing and labcar setups, leveraging CI/CD and cross‑functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10 years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in embedded controls.
• Hands-on experience with C firmware development and code reviews.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and testing automation.

Responsibilities

• Create control/estimation algorithms for body control features in vehicles.
• Lead design and integration of body controls hardware on test assets and vehicles.
• Collaborate with software teams to align hardware and software requirements.
• Perform hardware- and firmware-focused validation and testing across conditions.

Skills

Firmware development in C

Code reviews in C

Python

CI/CD

CAN/LIN

Testing with automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

Digital multimeters

Job description

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.

Do you have what it takes to make smart vehicles for a smart world? Join the Ford Product Development team. Utilizing Design Thinking & User Experience methods, you’ll work to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We’re seeking forward-thinking, laser-focused professionals with a passion for bringing innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life.We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to such advancements as autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

What you’ll be able to do:

Sr. Staff Embedded Controls Engineer Body Controls - positions offered by Ford Motor Company (Palo Alto, California). Note, this is a hybrid position whereby the employee will work both from home and from the aforementioned worksite. Hence, the employee must live within a reasonable commuting distance from the worksite. Create control/estimation algorithms for various body control features like window control, closure system, and lighting. Lead the design and integration of various body controls hardware components on electrical test assets such as benches, bucks, labcars, and vehicles. Collaborate with software integration teams to bring up core functions and broadcast software level requirements to electrical hardware and systems teams. Understand functional safety principles and participate in functional safety analyses of complex vehicle subsystems. Develop comprehensive test plans and perform thorough testing to validate firmware functionality, stability, and performance under various conditions, including low power modes. Spearhead body controls feature development, working cross-functionally with hardware, software, architecture, and many other teams to author feature boundary diagrams and validation strategies. Author subsystem block diagrams and lead subsystem reviews through all vehicle program development phases. Early phases of firmware development will focus on hardware validation, labcar testing, and setting up the automation framework for unit, SIL and HIL testing. Domestic Travel Required up to 10%.

You'll have...

Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field and 10 years of progressive, post-baccalaureate experience in the job offered or a related occupation. 10 years of experience with each of the following skills is required:1. Conducting firmware code reviews using C, coupled with experience in analyzing diverse code paths to develop detailed and comprehensive test plans. 2. Testing equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and digital multimeters. 3. Converting initial design requirements into clear and actionable functional specifications. 4. Leveraging Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to ensure seamless integration of software changes and correct deployment of shipping software. 5. Interacting between hardware and software components, utilizing programming languages including Python and C. 6. Testing firmware functionality through the application of automation toolchains. 9 years of experience with each of the following skills is required: 1. Using vehicle network protocols including CAN and LIN.

We are offering a salary of$255,653.00 - $307,200.00/yr.

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp‑up programs, subsidized back‑up child care 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.

For a detailed look at our benefits, click here:

https://fordcareers.co/LL5

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.