Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated Vehicle Integration and Software Test Lead to help bring our electric vehicle platform from concept to production. This role will lead vehicle-level software integration and testing across the full vehicle, working closely with software, hardware, controls, validation, electrical, product, manufacturing, technicians, operators, and suppliers. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can solve complex integration challenges, and is passionate about building exceptional EVs from the ground up. We are looking for a systems-minded technical leader who can connect software, hardware, and vehicle behavior; drive issues to closure; influence across disciplines; and balance strategic planning with hands-on execution. What you'll do... • Define and own the vehicle integration roadmap and software test strategy, including validation plans, regression coverage, and vehicle-level test plans. • Align integration and test activities with program milestones, hardware/software roadmaps, dependencies, and delivery timing. • Lead cross-functional coordination between software, systems, electrical, mechanical, validation, manufacturing, technicians, operators, and suppliers. • Serve as the central technical point of contact for vehicle integration and software test topics. • Lead vehicle-level software integration and testing across major domains, including powertrain, battery management, charging, infotainment, body controls, ADAS, and connectivity. • Partner with software and systems engineering teams to develop and execute embedded and vehicle-level test plans. • Lead pre-merge and post-merge vehicle-level testing, regression strategy, dogfooding activities, and defect closure. • Support software release planning and integration testing across a fleet of 150+ vehicles. • Plan test fleet utilization, including retrofits, instrumentation, vehicle shipping, and offsite testing at locations such as winter testing, MPG, and APG. • Coordinate prototype and production build bring-up, validation, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis. • Establish integration and software test processes, tools, dashboards, and best practices for a growing engineering organization. • Support calibration, tuning, data collection, logging, A2L, XCP/ATI usage, and vehicle attribute evaluations. • Own software maturity gate sign-off for track release, road release, customer release readiness, and launch milestones. • Document integration status, test results, risks, dependencies, and provide regular updates to engineering and program leadership. • Escalate risks and recommend tradeoffs across quality, cost, schedule, and regression coverage. You'll have... • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. • 7+ years of experience in automotive software, vehicle integration, software testing, systems engineering, or related technical roles. • Strong understanding of vehicle architecture, embedded systems, software integration, and vehicle-level test workflows. • Experience with CAN, LIN, Ethernet, diagnostics, flashing, and software release processes. • Hands-on experience troubleshooting vehicle systems, integration issues, and test failures. • Experience developing or executing software test plans for vehicle or embedded systems. • Familiarity with automotive development tools and processes. • Strong communication skills with the ability to lead cross-functional technical discussions. • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment. Even better, you may have... • Experience with prototype vehicle bring-up, test track validation, and production launch. • Prior proving ground or track driver training. • Experience in an EV startup or high-growth automotive environment. • Knowledge of OTA updates, functional safety, cybersecurity, or diagnostics. • Experience with model-based development or middleware integration. • Familiarity with ISO 26262, FMVSS, ACC2, or related compliance standards. • Experience building processes from the ground up in an early-stage organization. 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, 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 leadership level 5 and ranges from $167,200-$316,600. 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. For more information on salary and benefits, click here: fordcareers.co Visa sponsorship is 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. #LI-Hybrid #LI-MZ1 #UEV

Requirements

Must-haves

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can solve complex integration challenges, and is passionate about building exceptional EVs from the ground up.
What you'll do...
Define and own the vehicle integration roadmap and software test strategy, including validation plans, regression coverage, and vehicle-level test plans.
Align integration and test activities with program milestones, hardware/software roadmaps, dependencies, and delivery timing.
Lead cross-functional coordination between software, systems, electrical, mechanical, validation, manufacturing, technicians, operators, and suppliers.
Serve as the central technical point of contact for vehicle integration and software test topics.
Lead vehicle-level software integration and testing across major domains, including powertrain, battery management, charging, infotainment, body controls, ADAS, and connectivity.
Partner with software and systems engineering teams to develop and execute embedded and vehicle-level test plans.
Lead pre-merge and post-merge vehicle-level testing, regression strategy, dogfooding activities, and defect closure.
Support software release planning and integration testing across a fleet of 150+ vehicles.
Plan test fleet utilization, including retrofits, instrumentation, vehicle shipping, and offsite testing at locations such as winter testing, MPG, and APG.
Coordinate prototype and production build bring-up, validation, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis.
Establish integration and software test processes, tools, dashboards, and best practices for a growing engineering organization.
Support calibration, tuning, data collection, logging, A2L, XCP/ATI usage, and vehicle attribute evaluations.
Own software maturity gate sign-off for track release, road release, customer release readiness, and launch milestones.
Document integration status, test results, risks, dependencies, and provide regular updates to engineering and program leadership.
Escalate risks and recommend tradeoffs across quality, cost, schedule, and regression coverage.
You'll have...
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
7+ years of experience in automotive software, vehicle integration, software testing, systems engineering, or related technical roles.
Strong understanding of vehicle architecture, embedded systems, software integration, and vehicle-level test workflows.
Experience with CAN, LIN, Ethernet, diagnostics, flashing, and software release processes.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting vehicle systems, integration issues, and test failures.
Experience developing or executing software test plans for vehicle or embedded systems.

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: eightfold
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave