Thermal System Firmware Integration Engineer

About the role

Ford’s Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company’s vision of a fully electric transportation future. 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.

Responsibilities

• Domain Ownership & Architecture: Serve as a technical anchor for the Thermal Subsystem (HVAC & Powertrain Thermal), bridging mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines. Define and drive the development roadmap for application logic, component controls, and diagnostics.
• Orchestrate the development workflow (Sprint planning, JIRA), ensuring technical risks are identified and eliminated early.
• Device & Application Integration: Lead the selection and integration of new hardware, authoring precise interface requirements for suppliers and internal controls teams. Collaborate with control algorithm engineers to optimize system performance and efficiency. Negotiate interfaces and behaviors with cross-functional teams (e.g., Infotainment, Powertrain) to ensure a seamless customer experience.
• Firmware Verification & Validation: Design and execute comprehensive pre-merge verification plans to ensure software robustness. Conduct hands-on validation using bench setups and vehicle assets, utilizing advanced debugging tools to root-cause complex integration issues. Review code (C/C++) and sign off on software releases, maintaining a high standard for code quality and system safety.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience in embedded systems, firmware integration, or systems engineering.
• Strong understanding of mechatronic fundamentals (sensors, actuators, motors) and how they interact with embedded software.
• Proven debugging and diagnostic skills in electrical, mechanical, and software domains.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded targets.
• Experience with automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet).

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
• Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and workflow management (JIRA, Confluence).
• Proficiency with vector tools (CANalyzer, CANape) or similar calibration/debugging tools.
• Scripting experience for data analysis or test automation (Python, MATLAB).
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262) and risk assessment (FMEA/HARA).
• Knowledge of thermal dynamics, fluid mechanics, or HVAC principles.

Skills

Multi-disciplinary problem solving, strong understanding of mechatronic fundamentals, proven debugging and diagnostic skills, proficiency in C/C++, experience with automotive communication protocols, familiarity with functional safety standards, knowledge of thermal dynamics, fluid mechanics, or HVAC principles.

Benefits

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.

Pay

This position is a salary grade 7-8 and ranges from $118,700-$232,700. 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.

Schedule

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.