Chief Engineer, Design Quality (Software, Electronic Modules, Wiring, ADAS, Infotainment)

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The Chief Engineer will work in close partnership with the Design and Release, Program Quality Teams, and across a number of cross-functional teams to ensure the content and execution of designs meet the highest quality standards and customer expectations. This role demands strong leadership, Design and Release experience in automotive software, electronic hardware, ADAS, or Infotainment architectures, an understanding of automotive software development lifecycles, electronic module manufacturing, system integration, and launch processes, a steadfast commitment to quality, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and suppliers. You will be instrumental in driving both technical excellence and strategic business solutions to complex quality challenges.

You Will...

•    Review forward model program content for Software, Electronic Modules, ADAS, and Infotainment systems to ensure any gaps in quality, customer expectations, or regulatory compliance have robust closure plans.
•    Actively participate in design reviews, DFMEAs (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), Software Failure Mode Avoidance,  DRBFM (Design Review Based on Failure Mode), and other risk mitigation activities, providing technical expertise and ensuring the development of robust, high-quality designs and architectures.
•    Identify, analyze, and assist in the resolution of complex technical and business issues related to software, electronic modules, ADAS, and Infotainment systems, employing robust root cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies to achieve systemic solutions. And where issues are proposed to be resolved post-launch, provide oversight and guidance on risk.  Six Sigma certification is a plus.
•    Conduct thorough audits of engineering work products, including requirements, design specifications, architecture documents, test plans, validation reports, and cybersecurity assessments, to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established quality standards, Ford processes, and relevant industry regulations.
•    Stay up-to-date on the latest automotive technologies, trends, and best practices in software development, electronic hardware design, embedded systems, ADAS functionalities (e.g., perception, planning, control), Infotainment platforms, cybersecurity, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and related emerging technologies.
•    Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the team and across engineering functions, driving the capture and communication of lessons learned from design, development, and field issues. Lead efforts to identify and resolve systemic issues to prevent their recurrence in future programs and designs.
•    Assist in Systemic Knowledge capture and creation of Issue Detection and Prevention, and documentation of such.
•    Collaborate closely with Software, Electrical, ADAS, and Infotainment engineering teams to optimize handoff processes, including software release management, hardware-software integration, and system validation strategies.
•    Lead the development and implementation of Design Quality and Sign-off Best Practices for software, electronic modules, ADAS, and Infotainment systems, ensuring adherence to Ford Standards, while also seeking to understand and adopt leading practices from within and outside the automotive industry.
 

You'll Have...

•    Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
•    10+ years of experience in automotive software development, electronic module design, ADAS/Infotainment system integration, validation, and/or related quality assurance.
•    8+ years of experience in a leadership/management role within an automotive software or engineering environment.
•    Deep technical knowledge of automotive software architectures, electronic control unit (ECU) design, embedded systems, real-time operating systems, ADAS functionalities, Infotainment platforms, vehicle networks (e.g., CAN, Ethernet), functional safety (ISO 26262), and cybersecurity principles.
•    Expertise in Failure Mode Avoidance processes (e.g., DFMEA, SFMEA, DRBFM, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams) specifically applied to software, electronics, and system interfaces.
•    Strong understanding of reliability engineering principles, including their application in validation plans for complex electronic and software systems.
•    Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) Certification or similar experience in structured problem-solving methodologies.
•    Excellent communication (wr