Vehicle Integration and Software Test Lead

Ford Ford · Auto · Long Beach, CA +1 · PD Operations and Quality

Lead vehicle integration and software testing for an electric vehicle platform, defining strategy, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring software maturity for production release. This role involves hands-on leadership in a fast-paced environment, troubleshooting complex integration challenges, and connecting software, hardware, and vehicle behavior.

What you'd actually do

  1. Define and own the vehicle integration roadmap and software test strategy, including validation plans, regression coverage, and vehicle-level test plans.
  2. Align integration and test activities with program milestones, hardware/software roadmaps, dependencies, and delivery timing.
  3. Lead cross-functional coordination between software, systems, electrical, mechanical, validation, manufacturing, technicians, operators, and suppliers.
  4. Serve as the central technical point of contact for vehicle integration and software test topics.
  5. Lead vehicle-level software integration and testing across major domains, including powertrain, battery management, charging, infotainment, body controls, ADAS, and connectivity.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in automotive software, vehicle integration, software testing, systems engineering, or related technical roles.
  • Strong understanding of vehicle architecture, embedded systems, software integration, and vehicle-level test workflows.
  • Experience with CAN, LIN, Ethernet, diagnostics, flashing, and software release processes.
  • Hands-on experience troubleshooting vehicle systems, integration issues, and test failures.
  • Experience developing or executing software test plans for vehicle or embedded systems.
  • Familiarity with automotive development tools and processes.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to lead cross-functional technical discussions.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.

Nice to have

  • Experience with prototype vehicle bring-up, test track validation, and production launch.
  • Prior proving ground or track driver training.
  • Experience in an EV startup or high-growth automotive environment.
  • Knowledge of OTA updates, functional safety, cybersecurity, or diagnostics.
  • Experience with model-based development or middleware integration.
  • Familiarity with ISO 26262, FMVSS, ACC2, or related compliance standards.
  • Experience building processes from the ground up in an early-stage organization.

What the JD emphasized

  • 7+ years of experience in automotive software, vehicle integration, software testing, systems engineering, or related technical roles.
  • Strong understanding of vehicle architecture, embedded systems, software integration, and vehicle-level test workflows.
  • Hands-on experience troubleshooting vehicle systems, integration issues, and test failures.
  • Experience developing or executing software test plans for vehicle or embedded systems.