Director, Vehicle Systems Engineering

About Ford

Come help build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. Ford Motor Company was built on the belief that freedom of movement drives human progress. It’s a belief that has fueled our passion to create great cars and trucks. And today, it drives our commitment to become the world’s most trusted mobility company, designing vehicles for a smart world that helps people move more safely, confidently, and freely. Ford is experiencing significant business transformation in an ever-changing propulsion and digital world, and we are looking for exceptional talent to join us on this journey.

 

About EVDD

Ford is redefining how it will build a better world for the future by creating a culture and opportunities where employees will capitalize on Ford’s excellence in designing and building the most iconic products while also helping develop the future of world-class connected EVs. Ford is transforming our global automotive business to scale EVs, strengthen operations, and unlock value. We will deliver the speed of a startup, with the deep expertise of high-volume production. 

 As part of the future, we have the EVDD function. Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design leadership – driving the future of the digital technologies.

The Opportunity

The Director, Vehicle Systems Engineering will be reporting to the Executive Director of Platform Architecture and Prototyping. 

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Systems Engineering team leading FNV2 & 3, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Oversee the end-to-end development of vehicle features and systems, from concept to production, ensuring alignment with product requirements and company objectives.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including product management, design, software engineering, and hardware engineering to define feature requirements and drive execution.
• Provide technical guidance and expertise in areas such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), connectivity, infotainment, autonomous driving, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.
• Ensure the highest standards of quality and reliability in feature development, including rigorous testing, validation, and verification processes.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and challenges associated with feature development, proactively addressing issues to ensure successful delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize feature development processes, tools, and methodologies, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
• Communicate project status, risks, and opportunities to executive leadership and stakeholders, providing regular updates and insights.

Functional & Technical Knowledge 

The minimum requirements we seek

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.​
• Minimum of 15 years of hands-on experience in system engineering, software development, or related technical roles within the automotive industry, with a deep understanding of software and hardware systems.​
• Proven expertise in defining and developing secure and safe feature systems for vehicles, including a comprehensive understanding of safety, security power and performance requirements specific to automotive applications.​
• Extensive knowledge of cybersecurity principles and best practices, with a track record of implementing robust security measures within feature systems to protect against cyber threats and ensure data integrity.​
• Strong technical background in system architecture, integration, and validation processes, with the ability to design and optimize complex systems for optimal performance and reliability.​
• In-depth understanding of over-the-air (OTA) update processes and technologies, with experience in managing and deploying software updates securely and efficiently to vehicles in the field.​
• Familiarity with automotive safety standards and regulations, such as ISO 26262 and cybersecurity standards like ISO/SAE 21434, and the ability to apply these requirements to feature system development.​
• Ability to define applications in an embedded system, with proficiency in developing software for embedded platforms and optimizing performance in resource-constrained environments.​
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively engage with cross-functional teams, external partners, and stakeholders to drive successful feature system development projects.​
• Proven leadership abilities, with a track record of mentoring and guiding technical teams, fostering innovation, and delivering high-quality feature systems