Staff Platform Security Engineer

Ford Motor Company; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,200 - 283,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Parental leave

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company in Palo Alto is seeking an experienced embedded security lead to drive platform-level security in next‑gen automotive systems. You will design, implement, and validate secure embedded software, working with cross‑functional teams in a hybrid environment.

The role requires 10+ years in embedded engineering, deep Embedded C and Linux experience, and the ability to lead end-to-end security initiatives. Hybrid work option and strong growth in Ford EV platforms are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent.
• 10+ years of embedded systems development experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with Embedded C as primary development language.
• Proven track record of building security into shipped embedded products.
• Strong experience working in Linux-based embedded environments.
• Experience designing and implementing embedded security solutions (platform-level security, secure services, key provisioning, etc.).
• Comfortable working in early-stage, prototype, and pre–go-to-market environments.
• Ability to work independently, operate in ambiguity, and drive solutions end-to-end.
• Experience collaborating with systems engineering, cybersecurity, and test/validation teams.
• Proficiency with Git for source control.
• Experience using Jira or similar tools for work tracking and issue management.
• Strong problem-solving, debugging, and unit testing skills in embedded contexts.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement embedded security solutions for next-generation automotive platforms.
• Translate high-level security and system requirements into scalable, secure embedded system designs.
• Collaborate with systems engineering to refine requirements and ensure feasibility in embedded environments.
• Partner with cybersecurity teams to define and implement security architectures and platform-level security components.
• Work closely with test teams to support validation activities, including test case development and issue resolution.
• Identify gaps in existing architecture and design, then build and integrate missing components end-to-end.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize embedded software using Embedded C as the primary language.
• Implement and support unit testing and participate in broader system and integration testing efforts.
• Utilize Git for version control and Jira for task/issue tracking to manage day-to-day development work.
• Contribute to secure services, key provisioning workflows, and cryptographic operations within the platform.
• Troubleshoot complex issues in a Linux-based embedded environment, including performance and security-related defects.
• Operate as a self-directed engineer, driving delivery of key platform milestones and contributing production-level code on aggressive timelines.

Skills

Embedded C

Linux

Security in embedded

Git

Jira

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent

Tools

Git

Jira

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.

Ford’s Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company’s vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You’ll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

What you'll do

• Design and implement embedded security solutions for next-generation automotive platforms.
• Translate high-level security and system requirements into scalable, secure embedded system designs.
• Collaborate with systems engineering to refine requirements and ensure feasibility in embedded environments.
• Partner with cybersecurity teams to define and implement security architectures and platform-level security components.
• Work closely with test teams to support validation activities, including test case development and issue resolution.
• Identify gaps in existing architecture and design, then build and integrate missing components end-to-end.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize embedded software using Embedded C as the primary language.
• Implement and support unit testing and participate in broader system and integration testing efforts.
• Utilize Git for version control and Jira for task/issue tracking to manage day-to-day development work.
• Contribute to secure services, key provisioning workflows, and cryptographic operations within the platform.
• Troubleshoot complex issues in a Linux-based embedded environment, including performance and security-related defects.
• Operate as a self-directed engineer, driving delivery of key platform milestones and contributing production-level code on aggressive timelines.

You'll have

Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

• 10+ years of embedded systems development experience
• Strong hands-on experience with Embedded C as primary development language
• Proven track record of building security into shipped embedded products
• Strong experience working in Linux-based embedded environments
• Experience designing and implementing embedded security solutions (platform-level security, secure services, key provisioning, etc.)
• Comfortable working in early-stage, prototype, and pre–go-to-market environments
• Ability to work independently, operate in ambiguity, and drive solutions end-to‑end
• Experience collaborating with systems engineering, cybersecurity, and test/validation teams
• Proficiency with Git for source control
• Experience using Jira or similar tools for work tracking and issue management
• Strong problem-solving, debugging, and unit testing skills in embedded contexts

Even better, you may have

• Rust programming experience
• Experience with TPM (Trusted Platform Module)
• Experience with secure boot implementations
• Experience with key provisioning and cryptographic services
• Background in automotive platforms (highly preferred)
• Experience in consumer devices (mobile, IoT, etc.)
• Experience at semiconductor companies (e.g., Qualcomm, AMD, Intel, Broadcom)

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.

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 6 and ranges from $150,200-$283,500.

Visa sponsorship is 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.