Staff Electrical Engineer, Design Concept Engineering

Ford Ford · Auto · Palo Alto, CA +1 · PD Operations and Quality

This role is for a Staff Electrical Engineer focused on designing and architecting electrical boards for Ford's new EV platform. Responsibilities include schematic design, layout, bring-up, testing, and system integration, with a focus on product-differentiating, customer-facing hardware. The role requires extensive experience in electrical engineering, board design, and working with contract manufacturers.

What you'd actually do

  1. Electrical Design – This would include schematic and layout of key electrical boards as well as providing guidance to JDM/OEMs on executing designs.
  2. Bring Up and validation – Bring up designs done in-house and at JDM/OEM. Test designs for reliability and validity. Implement changes to address issues found.
  3. Rapid Prototyping – Create quick, simple designs to execute design vision of the studio team using off the shelf parts. Understand tradeoffs being made for velocity and mitigate risks that impact team progress.
  4. System Integration – Work with other engineering teams to integrate electrical designs into our vehicles.
  5. Influence design decisions – Help define electrical architecture and execution.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering
  • 10+ years of experience with board design
  • Experience working with Altium eCAD tools
  • Experience working with contract manufacturers and OEMs
  • Knowledge of DC/DC converters, transmission lines, common Data buses, analog circuits, board design and layout best practices
  • Experience in technical leadership

Nice to have

  • 10+ years of experience with Systems/HW architectures experience
  • Python scripting experience
  • C/C++ coding experience
  • Design experience using microprocessors and digital logic
  • Knowledge in display, audio and camera technologies
  • Experience in motors and encoders
  • Experience using SI tools such as hyperlink
  • Experience in ethernet networking
  • Experience in automotive design (AECxxx, CAN, LIN, T1S)
  • Experience with validation testing and production design processes