SW Applications Engineer, Ultra Cap/Energy Modules
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.
Ford's Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company's vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You'll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.
In this position...
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced SW Applications Engineer to join our innovative Body Controls organization. In this critical role, you will serve as the primary Ultra Capacitor (UCap) / Energy Module (EMM) module expert and a key technical stakeholder in the development, release, and support of embedded software solutions that control and manage advanced UCap/EMM systems powering various electrical systems within Ford's next-generation vehicles.
You will collaborate extensively with core software engineers, system and feature owners, and hardware design and release engineers. Your main objective will be to ensure the embedded software solution fully aligns with the UCap/EMM system's functional, performance, functional safety, and cybersecurity requirements, and integrates seamlessly into the overall automotive electrical architecture. This position demands a deep understanding of UCap/EMM systems, automotive electrical architectures, functional safety, and cybersecurity, coupled with a strong comprehension of embedded software principles, processes, and their interaction with hardware. Your focus will be on leveraging your UCap/EMM system knowledge to validate, troubleshoot, and ensure the effective application of software solutions for critical body electronic systems.
What you'll do...
UCap/EMM System Representation: Act as the primary technical interface and advocate for the UCap/EMM system's requirements and integration needs to core software development teams, vehicle program stakeholders, and other cross-functional groups.
Requirements Translation & Validation: Collaborate with key stakeholders to translate UCap/EMM system-level requirements (functional, performance, safety, cybersecurity) into clear, actionable inputs for software development teams. Review software requirements and designs from an UCap/EMM system perspective to ensure alignment with hardware capabilities and system specifications.
Functional Safety (ISO 26262) & Redundancy Collaboration: Collaborate with functional safety engineers and software teams to ensure UCap/EMM software solutions meet ISO 26262 standards. Provide UCap/EMM system input for ASIL-compliant software requirements, specifically focusing on the UCap/EMM's role as a redundant power supply source to mitigate power-related failures and ensure continuous power delivery to safety-critical systems (e.g., braking and steering) for achieving required ASILs. Review safety mechanism designs and participate in safety analyses (e.g., FTA, FMEA) from an UCap/EMM system perspective.
Cross-Functional Liaison: Act as a critical technical liaison between UCap/EMM hardware design, core software development, system/feature owners, and validation teams to ensure seamless integration and resolution of inter-disciplinary issues.
Embedded Systems Interaction Understanding: Understand the interaction between UCap/EMM software, microcontroller units (MCUs), peripheral drivers, and Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) to effectively support UCap/EMM system integration and troubleshooting.
Communication Protocols Verification: Ensure the UCap/EMM software properly implements and utilizes automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, LIN, Ethernet) for effective interaction between the UCap/EMM module and other Body Control Modules (BCMs) and vehicle ECUs.
Validation & Test Strategy Contribution: Contribute to the development and review of comprehensive software validation and test strategies (including unit, integration, system, and HIL testing) to verify that the UCap/EMM software correctly controls and manages the UCap/EMM hardware and meets system requirements.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Leadership: Lead and actively participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) efforts (e.g., 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams) for UCap/EMM system issues, especially when software is a contributing factor or interacts with the problem. Utilize UCap/EMM system expertise to guide investigations and collaborate with software SMEs to identify and implement robust solutions.
Software Release Monitoring & Support: Monitor the software build, configuration, and release process, ensuring that UCap/EMM software versions are correctly managed and documented for vehicle program integration and compatibility.
Supplier Technical Review: Review external software deliverables from an UCap/EMM system perspective, ensuring they meet Ford's technical specifications and quality standards.
Documentation Review: Review software design documents, architecture specifications, validation plans, and release notes for accuracy and completeness, ensuring alignment with UCap/EMM system objectives.
Automotive Powernet LVPS System Expertise: Provide expertise to ensure software properly addresses Automotive Powernet Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS) Systems, including system voltage regulation, battery and ultracapacitor (UCap) charging strategies, and power load management techniques related to UCap/EMM functionality.
Diagnostics and Fault Management Strategy Contribution: Provide expertise to ensure software effectively develops and implements strategies for diagnosing system faults and managing them effectively within UCap/EMM and interacting automotive power supply systems.
You'll have...
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
3+ years of experience in automotive electrical systems engineering, with significant exposure to Ultra Capacitors, Energy Modules, or similar power storage/delivery systems.
This will include
Strong understanding of embedded software development processes, methodologies, and lifecycle (e.g., requirements, design, coding, testing), sufficient to effectively collaborate with software subject matter experts.
Demonstrated experience with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262) and their application in automotive systems, particularly concerning power redundancy for safety-critical functions.
Familiarity with automotive Powernet Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS) systems, including voltage regulation, battery/ultracapacitor charging strategies, and power load management techniques.
Experience with developing and implementing strategies for diagnosing system faults and managing them effectively within automotive power supply systems.
Experience with automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, LIN, Ethernet) and diagnostics (UDS).
Familiarity with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) concepts.
Excellent problem-solving skills and proven experience leading Root Cause Analysis (RCA) efforts.
Strong collaboration and communication skills, with proven ability to work effectively across multiple engineering disciplines.
Even better, you may have...
- Master's degree in Electrical Engine
