Staff Digital Key Software Engineer

Ford; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for the Advanced EV and Software org. This role owns the vehicle access authentication path and the customer-facing vehicle functions built atop it, spanning Digital Key and Key Card credentials.

You will work across Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, and RF connectivity to deliver end-to-end access and function solutions. Lead collaboration with systems, hardware, validation, cybersecurity, and mobile teams, and apply MISRA-compatible coding practices.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience developing embedded software.
• Experience with vehicle access systems, Digital Key, or Key Card tech is a plus.
• Strong proficiency in Embedded C and Python scripting.

Responsibilities

• Own components of the vehicle access authentication path and related functions.
• Architect and develop embedded software for Vehicle Access systems on ECUs and RTOS.
• Design and implement Digital Key functionality per CCC standards and related flows.
• Develop software for Bluetooth, UWB, NFC and RF communications in vehicle access features.
• Collaborate with systems, hardware, validation, cybersecurity and mobile teams for end-to-end solutions.
• Write and enhance embedded software in C; use Python for automation, testing, and validation.
• Define software interfaces between vehicle systems, key credentials, and external devices.
• Support vehicle integration, debugging and bring-up on prototype/production vehicles.
• Diagnose complex software, connectivity, and RF issues across vehicle and mobile ecosystems.
• Utilize AI-assisted tools to accelerate coding while validating AI output for safety and standards.

Skills

Embedded C

Python scripting

Embedded software

System end-to-end ownership

AI-assisted development tools

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Computer/Electrical/ECE/CS

Tools

VS Code Copilot

Claude Code

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.

In this position...

Ford's Advanced EV and Software organization is looking for a Staff Software Engineer to take full functional ownership of the vehicle access authentication path and the customer-facing vehicle functions built on top of it. This is the software that every single customer access event passes through - transaction authorization, lock/unlock, start authorization, and remote functions - spanning Digital Key and Key Card credentials. You will help drive this stack from architecture through vehicle bring-up and post-launch support, working with wireless and embedded technologies including Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, and RF connectivity.

What you'll do...

• Own implementation of one or more components of the vehicle access authentication path, including transaction authorization, lock/unlock, start authorization, and/or remote functions across Digital Key and Key Card.
• Architect and develop embedded software for Vehicle Access systems running on ECUs and real-time embedded platforms.
• Design, implement, and maintain Digital Key functionality based on Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standards, alongside Key Card authentication flows.
• Develop software supporting vehicle access features utilizing Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), NFC, and RF communication technologies.
• Lead collaboration with systems, hardware, validation, cybersecurity, and mobile application teams to deliver end-to-end vehicle access and vehicle function solutions.
• Write and enhance embedded software in C, leveraging Python for automation, testing, and validation activities.
• Define software architecture, interfaces, and communication frameworks between vehicle systems, key credentials (Digital Key and Key Card), and external devices.
• Support vehicle integration, debugging, and bring-up activities on prototype and production vehicles.
• Diagnose complex software, connectivity, and RF-related issues across vehicle and mobile ecosystems.
• Use AI-assisted development tools (such as VS Code with GitHub Copilot or other Ford-approved AI coding assistants) to accelerate coding, code review, debugging, documentation, and test-case generation, while critically validating all AI-suggested code against automotive safety, security, and coding standards (e.g., MISRA).

You'll have...

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience developing embedded software.
• Strong proficiency in Embedded C programming.
• Strong Python scripting and automation experience.
• Hands-on experience with complex embedded software projects, such as Vehicle Access systems, Digital Key, or Key Card technologies.
• Experience working with complex industry standards, e.g., Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standards.
• Understanding of Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, RF communication, and wireless connectivity architectures.
• Experience developing software for automotive ECUs and embedded real-time systems.
• Demonstrated ability to own a system end-to-end, from architecture through post-launch support, with minimal supervision.
• Practical experience using modern AI-assisted development tools (e.g., VS Code Copilot, Claude Code, or similar) to improve coding efficiency, accelerate debugging, and support test/documentation generation, paired with sound judgment on responsible use of AI-generated output.

Even better, you may have...

• Automotive experience implementing CCC Digital Key vehicle access technology, and/or Key Card authentication systems.
• Experience developing software for Body Control Modules (BCM) or Vehicle Access ECUs.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity concepts related to vehicle access, transaction authorization, and secure authentication.
• Familiarity with CAN, Automotive Ethernet, diagnostics, and vehicle communication protocols.
• Experience with vehicle integration, validation, and launch activities.
• Understanding of embedded Linux and RTOS-based systems.
• Familiarity with ISO 26262, ASPICE, MISRA, or automotive software development processes.
• Experience establishing