Perception Systems Engineer

Ford Ford · Auto · Dearborn, MI +1 · PD Operations and Quality

This role focuses on designing, defining requirements, and creating analysis and testing methodologies for Near-Field Perception Systems in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for Ford vehicles. It involves leveraging technologies like vision, radar, and ultrasonic sensors to enable vehicles to sense their environment, with a strong emphasis on system performance, robustness, and failure mode analysis. The role requires experience in systems engineering within the automotive or related industries and knowledge of probabilistic filtering and spatial mapping techniques.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead the decomposition of functions and architecture for Near Field Perception Systems, aligning with Feature System Engineers to ensure coverage and completeness
  2. Translate feature-level requirements into specific sensing system performance expectations.
  3. Define and establish comprehensive performance requirements and metrics for the Neir-Field Perception System, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the system including availability, accuracy, and false positive rates.
  4. Evaluate and optimize a variety of perception data pipelines including those utilizing ultrasonic based sensing.
  5. Design validation strategies to quantify system robustness against interacting noise factors for both platform and application sign-off

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience as a systems engineer, including authoring functional & performance requirements in the automotive, aerospace, defense, or related industry
  • 3+ years of experience working on projects leveraging Near Field Perception solutions
  • Deep understanding of the physical principles & limitations of Ultrasonic Sensors
  • Knowledge of probabilistic filtering (e.g., Kalman Filters, Particle Filters) and spatial mapping techniques like Occupancy Grid Mapping
  • Proficiency using Requirements Management tools such as DOORS, JAMA, or Polarion
  • Proficiency in statistical analysis and experimental design
  • Strong communication skills and ability to lead ad-hoc teams

Nice to have

  • Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
  • 7+ years of experience as a systems engineer
  • 5+ years of experience delivering production hardware/embedded software
  • 7+ years of experience with ADAS perception systems
  • Familiarity with Functional Safety (ISO26262), SOTIF, and ASPICE standards
  • 3+ years of experience with systems modeling and/or requirements management tools (SysML/MagicDraw, Polarion, JAMA, DOORS, etc.) and Failure Mode Analysis techniques

What the JD emphasized

  • Near-Field Perception Systems
  • perception data pipelines
  • system robustness