Staff Digital Key & Vehicle Access 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

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.