Job Description
Our team develops firmware and controls for a diverse array of electronics throughout the vehicle. Securing our vehicles against potential cyber threats is increasingly important as vehicles become increasingly complex and more connected. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the boot loader software used by our electronic controllers to provide cutting edge secure boot and software update capabilities. In this role, you will be collaborating with cross-functional teams across the organization, from electrical architecture, system integration, to platform software engineers and manufacturing.
Responsibilities
What you’ll be able to do:
- Lead the design, development, testing and maintenance of secure, high-performance boot loaders for Ford's next generation electric vehicles.
- Work cross-functionally to define the boot loader architecture and interfaces for multiple ECUs using a variety of microprocessors.
- Work with/resolve ambiguity in requirements/specifications/designs.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship across the organization related to security, boot loaders and software update.
- Design safe, secure, portable code that scales as new ECUs and hardware platforms are added.
- Implement secure boot.
- Implement secure software update for a complex networked vehicle architecture using multiple physical layers.
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices.
- Develop comprehensive test plans and perform thorough testing to validate functionality, reliability, and performance under various conditions.
- Keep up to date with industry trends and regulatory requirements related to cybersecurity.
- Deep understanding of bootloader architectures, including secure boot and secure software updates.
- Hands-on experience in hardware bring-up, low-level software development, system debugging, and code optimization.
- Ability to collaborate and communicate complex technical concepts.
- Ability to deliver high-quality C code in a real-time embedded environment.
- Proficiency in embedded architectures, from bare metal to RTOS implementations, and a deep understanding of modern multi-core 32-bit embedded controller peripherals and architecture.
- Understanding of CI/CD pipeline and software build infrastructure.
Qualifications
The minimum requirements we seek:
- 5+ years of relevant experience in embedded design, preferably in the automotive industry.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering, experience with evidence of exceptional ability, or equivalent.
- Strong programming skills in C and/or C++
- Familiarity with standards relevant to automotive and cyber security (e.g. ISO, SAE, UNECE, IEEE, IETF and NIST). In-depth knowledge of ISO/SAE 21434 and UNECE R155/R156 is a plus.
- Knowledge of security concepts and technologies commonly used in automotive (e.g. hypervisors, Hardware Security Modules, Trusted Execution Environments, hashing, encryption, signatures, and certificates)
- Highly collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of automotive networking (e.g. CAN, CAN FD, Ethernet, and LIN) and protocols (e.g. UDS, XCP, UDP, TCP/IP, etc.)
- Substantial experience in secure bootloader development and software updates.
- Significant experience in low-level software development and debugging, including board bring-up, driver development, system debugging, and RTOS integration.
- Fluent in software fundamentals including software design and maintainability.
- Ability to write testing scripts using scripting languages (Python).
What you’ll receive in return:
As part of the Ford family, you’ll enjoy excellent compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings and stock investment plans, incentive compensation and much more. You’ll also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.
If you have what it takes to help us redefine the future of mobility, we would love to have you join us.
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. Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. 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.
For information on Ford's salary and benefits, please visit: https://corporate.ford.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en-us/documents/careers/2024-benefits-and-comp-LL6-sal-plan-2.pdf
At Ford, the health and safety of our employees is our top priority. Vaccination has been proven to play a critical role in combatting COVID-19. As a result, Ford has made the decision to require U.S. salaried employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless employees require an accommodation for religious or medical reasons. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption.