Staff Chassis Software Validation Lead

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

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...

• Lead a team of validation engineers and student workers, providing technical direction, mentorship, and performance feedback to ensure high-quality software validation.
• Lead the planning, execution, and reporting of pre-merge validation and testing activities for in-house and tier 1 chassis ECU software.
• Develop, build, and maintain robust test environments, including Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and on-vehicle test setups for chassis systems.
• Design, create, and execute comprehensive test cases for new functionalities and regression testing of software binaries from external suppliers.
• Perform End-to-End (E2E) regression testing for safety-critical chassis software, ensuring readiness for mainline integration and deployment.
• Plan and execute vehicle-level validation tests, including limit handling, performance, and functional safety tests, to ensure software robustness in real-world scenarios.
• Collaborate with development teams, suppliers, and vehicle integration engineers to progress software through various stages, from development to public road driving ODD (Operational Design Domain) with the DCV fleet and eventual customer release.
• Anticipate future testing needs and contribute to the evolution of chassis validation strategies, including Chassis SIL testing, advanced vehicle-level testing, and the integration of driver-in-the-loop (DIL) simulators for pre-merge motion/chassis controls validation.
• Actively participate in and lead in-vehicle limit handling test cases at proving grounds, providing technical expertise and ensuring data integrity.

You'll have...

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Approximately 10+ years of industry experience in chassis controls, software development, validation, or related fields.
• Proven experience in slip controls software development and simulation.
• Extensive experience building and utilizing chassis controls Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in validating chassis actuator software, particularly for safety-critical applications.
• Strong multi-domain chassis experience, specifically with brakes and steering systems.
• Prior experience leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, or managing small teams.
• Significant experience in vehicle-level testing and validation of chassis control systems.
• Familiarity with receiving and validating software deliveries from Tier 1 suppliers for systems like EBB and EPAS.
• Experience in test case creation, execution, and defect management for embedded software.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Ability to work effectively both as an individual contributor and in a leadership capacity, guiding and mentoring others.

Even better, you may have...
• Knowledge of functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262).
• TRC level 3 driver training or equivalent, making you eligible for Ford Tier 3 driver training.
• Experience with Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulation.

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, we encourage you to apply!

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,