Vehicle Controls Ecu Platform Functional Safety Architect

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

Seeking a Vehicle Controls ECU Platform Functional Safety Architect to develop cutting-edge vehicle control systems, focusing on Functional Safety solutions for Inverter System Controllers and Drive Motor Controllers. The role involves architecting and designing safety mechanisms, configuring BSW components, leading security and stability configurations, advanced debugging, performance engineering, and software integration. Responsibilities also include defining and executing safety verification and authoring critical safety documentation.

What you'd actually do

  1. Apply ISO 26262 (Parts 4, 5, 6, 9) to design, implement, and review safety mechanisms for both in-house and supplier-sourced ECU platforms.
  2. Configure BSW components (Diagnostics, Watchdog, NVM, MemMap) and define ASIL/QM partitioning to ensure "freedom from interference" across powertrain ECUs.
  3. Lead the configuration of Memory Protection Units (MPU) and Safety Management Units (SMU) to ensure cross-program commonality and system stability.
  4. Master low-level troubleshooting of processor resets and software glitches to identify root causes and implement permanent solutions.
  5. Define and execute Fault Injection Testing (FIT) using HIL and SIL environments to validate diagnostic coverage.

Skills

Required

  • Embedded C
  • debugging automotive embedded systems
  • ISO 26262
  • safety-certified MCUs
  • compilers
  • makefiles
  • CI/CD automation
  • runtime debuggers
  • Python

Nice to have

  • FMEDA
  • FIT analysis
  • torque monitoring
  • high-voltage interlocks
  • battery management safety
  • CPU load distribution in multicore architectures
  • Agile/SAFe methodologies
  • supplier technical purchasing interfaces (ESOW, DIA)
  • OBD tools (DET, CANalyzer, etc.)

What the JD emphasized

  • ISO 26262
  • safety mechanisms
  • ECU platforms
  • BSW components
  • ASIL/QM partitioning
  • Memory Protection Units (MPU)
  • Safety Management Units (SMU)
  • processor resets
  • software glitches
  • Fault Injection Testing (FIT)
  • HIL
  • SIL
  • diagnostic coverage
  • ECU Technical Safety Concept (TSC)
  • ECU Software Safety Specification (SSS)
  • Hardware-Software Interface (HSI)
Read full job description

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

In this position...

You’ll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. We are seeking a highly motivated Vehicle Controls ECU Platform Functional Safety Architect to play a pivotal role in developing cutting-edge vehicle control systems.

The Role Imagine being the architect of the software that powers a vehicle's brain. In this position, you are the mastermind configuring core safety software components to ensure our systems are as reliable as they are efficient. You will drive the development of Functional Safety solutions for Inverter System Controllers (ISC) and Drive Motor Controllers (DMCM), ensuring the safety and excellence of our future EREV, EV, and Hybrid vehicle platforms.

You will dive deep into code to solve complex challenges—from processor resets to memory protection violations—ensuring the powertrain runs smoothly and responds instantly to every driver command.

What you'll do...

Architect & Design

Safety Architecture: Apply ISO 26262 (Parts 4, 5, 6, 9) to design, implement, and review safety mechanisms for both in-house and supplier-sourced ECU platforms.

Platform Bedrock: Configure BSW components (Diagnostics, Watchdog, NVM, MemMap) and define ASIL/QM partitioning to ensure "freedom from interference" across powertrain ECUs.

Security & Stability: Lead the configuration of Memory Protection Units (MPU) and Safety Management Units (SMU) to ensure cross-program commonality and system stability.

Execute & Optimize

Advanced Debugging: Master low-level troubleshooting of processor resets and software glitches to identify root causes and implement permanent solutions.

Performance Engineering: Strategically distribute runnables across multi-core processors to maximize efficiency and minimize latency.

Software Integration: Support the integration of Software Integration Packages (SIPs) and third-party supplier code into the Ford platform.

Verify & Document

Safety Verification: Define and execute Fault Injection Testing (FIT) using HIL and SIL environments to validate diagnostic coverage.

Technical Compliance: Author and maintain critical safety documentation, including the ECU Technical Safety Concept (TSC), ECU Software Safety Specification (SSS), and Hardware-Software Interface (HSI).

You'll have...

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

5+ years of experience in Embedded C and debugging automotive embedded systems.

Expert-level knowledge of ISO 26262 and experience with safety-certified MCUs (e.g., Infineon AURIX 2G, NXP S32K, or TI Hercules).

2+ years of experience with compilers, makefiles, CI/CD automation, and runtime debuggers.

Proficiency in Python for automation and testing.

Even better, you may have...

M.S. in EE, ME, or Computer Science.

Experience with FMEDA and FIT analysis.

Proven experience with torque monitoring, high-voltage interlocks, or battery management safety.

Experience managing CPU load distribution in multicore architectures.

Familiarity with Agile/SAFe methodologies and experience working with supplier technical purchasing interfaces (ESOW, DIA).

Proficiency with standard OBD tools (DET, CANalyzer, etc.).

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 salary grade 7 and ranges from $99,600-$166,600.

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: https://fordcareers.co/GSR

Visa sponsorship is not 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-RR1