Director, Core Runtime & Platform Engineering
Ford Motor Company· enterprise· Automotive· Aug 31, 2026 · 2mo ago
Palo Alto, CA, United States
Hybrid
Full-time
Director
$197K–$270K est.
10+ years exp
Job description
Ford Motor Company is transforming manufacturing into a software-defined, intelligent, and globally connected system. Within the Advanced Technology & Platforms (ATP) organization, the Core vertical builds the foundational platform stack that powers this transformation across Ford’s global manufacturing network.
Core’s platform includes:
· CoreOS — the operating and orchestration layer for software-defined manufacturing
· FMIL (Ford Manufacturing Intelligence Layer) — the real-time signal, execution, and decisioning layer connecting factory systems, devices, and applications
· CoreDS — the data platform enabling traceability, analytics, and enterprise-scale intelligence
In this position…
The Director, Core Runtime & Platform Engineering leads the engineering organization responsible for the runtime, edge, connectivity, cloud infrastructure, developer platform, and reliability layers that enable CoreOS and FMIL to operate securely and at scale across plants, vehicle programs, and ATP product platforms.
This leader builds the platform backbone that connects industrial devices, controls, real-time signals, and manufacturing applications into a unified execution environment, while also delivering APIs, SDKs, and reusable platform services that allow teams to build once and scale consistently across Ford.
Reporting to the Director of Software, Controls & Diagnostics (CoreOS, FMIL & CoreDS), this role is central to delivering the runtime and signal layer that powers ATP’s “Build Once, Scale Everywhere” strategy and enables closed-loop learning across manufacturing systems.
What you’ll do…
1. Lead the Core Runtime Platform
· Architect and deliver the runtime platform that powers CoreOS and FMIL across Ford manufacturing environments
· Build a secure, scalable execution layer supporting orchestration, device integration, event processing, and platform interoperability
· Enable FMIL as the real-time signal, orchestration, and decisioning layer connecting factory systems and applications
· Establish platform standards for runtime services, deployment models, lifecycle management, and system interfaces
· Drive the evolution of Core from point solutions into a globally managed industrial software platform
2. Build the Core Developer Platform (APIs & SDKs)
· Define and deliver platform APIs, SDKs, and shared services enabling ATP products and engineering teams to build on Core
· Create reusable primitives for telemetry, eventing, orchestration, device abstraction, identity, and policy control
· Establish developer standards, tooling, and integration patterns to eliminate one-off solutions across plants and products
· Enable Forge, Sight, Print, Volt, and future platforms to extend Core through standardized interfaces and services
· Drive platform adoption by improving developer productivity, consistency, and reuse
3. Industrial Edge & Distributed Systems
· Lead development of edge computing platforms for real-time manufacturing environments
· Architect distributed systems supporting high-throughput, low-latency workloads across thousands of factory devices
· Build resilient edge runtimes supporting local processing, failover, and intermittent connectivity
· Establish orchestration patterns across cells, lines, plants, and global manufacturing networks
4. Device Connectivity & Industrial Middleware
· Own the middleware connecting PLCs, robotics, vision systems, and industrial equipment to Core platforms
· Standardize interfaces for telemetry, command/control, and interoperability across manufacturing systems
· Define integration patterns across protocols such as EtherCAT, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, CAN, OPC UA, MQTT, TCP/IP, and gRPC
· Build reusable adapters, APIs, and SDKs that simplify onboarding of factory devices and applications
· Ensure consistent publishing of factory signals into FMIL and CoreDS
5. Cloud & Hybrid Platform Infrastructure
· Architect and operate hybrid edge-cloud infrastructure connecting plant environments with centralized cloud platforms
· Build and manage cloud-based control planes for orchestration, fleet management, telemetry aggregation, and lifecycle control
· Design secure edge-to-cloud patterns enabling global visibility, coordination, and system-level optimization
· Develop cloud-native services supporting CoreOS, FMIL, and CoreDS at enterprise scale
· Partner with data and enterprise teams to enable scalable storage, compute, and processing capabilities
· Implement solutions using AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, and related technologies
6. Real-Time Data, Telemetry & CoreDS Integration
· Build real-time ingestion and streaming systems connecting factory signals to CoreDS
· Ensure seamless integration between edge-generated data and cloud data platforms
· Enable high-fidelity data pipelines supporting AI/ML, diagnostics, analytics, and traceability
· Support closed-loop systems where factory signals → insights → actions continuously improve performance
· Contribute to manufacturing data models, access patterns, and system-wide data consistency
7. Observability, Diagnostics & Runtime Integrity
· Build platform-wide observability across edge and cloud environments using tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, and OpenTelemetry
· Enable real-time monitoring, alerting, and diagnostics across all deployments
· Ensure runtime and telemetry signals are high-quality, structured, and actionable
· Support diagnostics and AI/ML systems through reliable signal and data availability
· Improve transparency and operational trust across engineering, launch, and plant teams
8. Reliability, Deployment & Global Scale
· Define deployment, rollout, upgrade, and rollback strategies across edge, on-prem, and cloud environments
· Establish SRE and release engineering practices for mission-critical manufacturing systems
· Define SLAs for uptime, latency, reliability, and deployment stability
· Lead global rollout of Core platforms aligned to ATP lifecycle models (TRL/MRL/IRL) and launch playbooks
· Partner with Launch, Field, Compass, and product teams to enable repeatable, scalable deployments
9. Engineering Leadership & System Execution
· Build and lead a high-performing engineering organization across runtime, edge, infrastructure, connectivity, and platform domains
· Drive engineering excellence in architecture, SDLC, testing, release management, and operational rigor
· Develop senior technical talent and create clear career pathways tied to platform and business outcomes
· Align execution with ATP operating model, lifecycle governance, and platform priorities
· Translate strategy into roadmaps, staffing plans, and delivery execution
10. Cross-Functional Platform Leadership
· Partner with Controls, Diagnostics, Data, and ATP vertical teams to deliver integrated manufacturing platforms
· Align with plant operations, global manufacturing engineering, and vehicle programs
· Contribute to enterprise standards for software-defined manufacturing and industrial platform architecture
· Support system priorities including runtime adoption, AIR integration, diagnostics readiness, and platform reuse
· Serve as a key leader in shaping Ford’s software-defined manufacturing platform strategy
What success looks like...
· A standardized Core runtime platform deployed across plants, programs, and ATP products
· A scalable edge-to-cloud operating model enabling global orchestration and visibility
· Broad adoption of APIs, SDKs, and platform services across engineering teams
· Reliable, high-quality factory data powering CoreDS, analytics, and AI/ML systems
· Closed-loop learning systems improving manufacturing performance through real-time signals
· Increased platform reuse across sites, reducing duplication and accelerating deployment
· Strong engineering execution aligned to lifecycle gates, launch readiness, and measurable plant value
You’ll have…
· Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
· 10+ years in software, platform, or infrastructure engineering
· 5+ years leading engineering teams delivering complex systems at scale
· Experience building distributed systems, runtime platforms, or edge computing systems
· Experience designing and operating cloud-native and hybrid edge-cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure; Kubernetes)
· Experience building platform APIs, SDKs, or reusable developer systems
· Strong understanding of industrial systems, factory automation, and device integration
Experience in several of the following:
· Distributed systems and container orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker)
· Edge computing and real-time systems
· Hybrid edge-cloud architectures and distributed control planes
· Platform APIs, SDKs, and developer tooling
· Industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, Profinet, CAN, OPC UA, MQTT, etc.)
· Streaming and messaging systems (Kafka, NATS, Pub/Sub)
· Observability platforms (Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetry)
· Infrastructure automation, CI/CD, and reliability engineering
· Building platforms that scale across multiple products, plants, or business domains
Even better, you may have…
· Experience with software-defined manufacturing or industrial automation platforms
· Familiarity with TRL/MRL/IRL lifecycle models
· Experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing environments
· Experience integrating runtime, data, and controls-adjacent systems into unified platforms
Why join us...
This is an opportunity to help define the platform foundation for Ford’s next generation of manufacturing.
You will lead the engineering systems that make software-defined manufacturing real at scale by connecting machines, signals, factory systems, and product platforms into a common runtime backbone. You will also help create the APIs, SDKs, and developer platform capabilities that allow ATP teams to build on Core consistently rather than reinventing infrastructure product by product.
The work will directly shape how Ford deploys, scales, and learns across plants, programs, and ATP products worldwide.
If you are excited by industrial-scale software, real-world systems, and building platforms that matter in production, this role offers the chance to lead at the center of that transformation.
What you'll receive in return...
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 childcare 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 4.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: 2026 LL4 Benefits Summary
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-WC2
The Director, Core Runtime & Platform Engineering leads the engineering organization responsible for the runtime, edge, connectivity, cloud infrastructure, developer platform, and reliability layers that enable CoreOS and FMIL to operate securely and at scale across plants, vehicle programs, and ATP product platforms.
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