Virtual Validation Engineer

Ford; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 99,600 - 192,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Hybrid work option

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking an engineer to develop and maintain ECU simulations across multiple abstraction levels, delivering virtual prototyping solutions to software and control systems engineers. You will collaborate with simulation tool vendors to resolve issues in heterogeneous environments.

The role emphasizes C/C++ and Python, embedded systems experience, and Agile teamwork to advance automotive simulation capabilities in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in developing simulation or virtualization frameworks, or equivalent system programming experience.
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python or similar scripting language.
• Experience working in Agile development environments.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skills.
• Exposure to co-simulation and multi-domain simulation tools.
• Familiarity with automotive ECUs, control systems, and communication protocols.
• Knowledge of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate technologies and methods for integration of simulations and virtual ECU platforms.
• Troubleshoot virtual ECU hardware and software integration issues.
• Develop and maintain simulation tools and environments for automotive applications.
• Develop scripts to automate the building and running of virtual test environments.
• Assist software development and testing teams with adopting and using virtual ECU environments.
• Plan out project roadmap and participate in project management decisions.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Embedded

System programming

Agile

Co-simulation

Problem solving

Communication

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

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... The engineer in this role will develop and maintain electronic control unit (ECU) simulations at multiple abstraction levels (Level 4 target-native hardware emulation and Level 3 host-native simulations). You will work as a member of a team delivering virtual ECU prototyping solutions to software and control systems engineers within our product development teams. Additionally, you will collaborate with simulation tool vendors and suppliers to resolve issues and implement methodologies for heterogeneous simulation environments.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...

• Evaluate technologies and methods for integration of simulations and virtual ECU platforms.
• Troubleshoot virtual ECU hardware and software integration issues.
• Develop and maintain simulation tools and environments for automotive applications.
• Develop scripts to automate the building and running of virtual test environments.
• Assist software development and testing teams with adopting and using virtual ECU environments.
• Plan out project roadmap and participate in project management decisions.

Qualifications

You'll have...

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in developing simulation or virtualization frameworks, or equivalent experience in system programming (e.g., embedded systems, RTOS, hardware controllers, etc).
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python or similar scripting language.
• Experience working in Agile development environments.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skills.
• Exposure to co-simulation and multi-domain simulation tools, integrating multiple simulators.
• Familiarity with automotive ECUs, control systems, and communication protocols.
• Knowledge of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing methodologies.

Experience in embedded development and hardware bring-up.

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 7 and ranges from $99,600-$166,600., This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $115,000-$192,900.

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.

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.

Job Info

• Job Identification 67018
• Job Category PD Operations and Quality
• Posting Date 07/23/2026, 04:06 PM
• Apply Before 07/31/2026, 12:00 AM
• Degree Level Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 20000 Rotunda Dr, Dearborn, MI, 48124, US (Hybrid)