Staff Digital Key Software Engineer

Ford's Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is seeking a Staff Digital Key Software Engineer to take full functional ownership of the vehicle access authentication path and customer-facing vehicle functions built on top of it.

The ideal candidate will help drive this stack from architecture through vehicle bring-up and post-launch support, working with wireless and embedded technologies including Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, and RF connectivity.

Responsibilities:

• Own implementation of one or more components of the vehicle access authentication path, including transaction authorization, lock/unlock, start authorization, and/or remote functions across Digital Key and Key Card.
• Architect and develop embedded software for Vehicle Access systems running on ECUs and real-time embedded platforms.
• Design, implement, and maintain Digital Key functionality based on Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standards, alongside Key Card authentication flows.
• Develop software supporting vehicle access features utilizing Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), NFC, and RF communication technologies.
• Lead collaboration with systems, hardware, validation, cybersecurity, and mobile application teams to deliver end-to-end vehicle access and vehicle function solutions.
• Write and enhance embedded software in C, leveraging Python for automation, testing, and validation activities.
• Define software architecture, interfaces, and communication frameworks between vehicle systems, key credentials (Digital Key and Key Card), and external devices.
• Support vehicle integration, debugging, and bring-up activities on prototype and production vehicles.
• Diagnose complex software, connectivity, and RF-related issues across vehicle and mobile ecosystems.
• Use AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding, code review, debugging, documentation, and test-case generation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience developing embedded software.
• Strong proficiency in Embedded C programming.
• Strong Python scripting and automation experience.
• Hands-on experience with complex embedded software projects, such as Vehicle Access systems, Digital Key, or Key Card technologies.
• Experience working with complex industry standards, e.g., Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standards.
• Understanding of Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, RF communication, and wireless connectivity architectures.
• Experience developing software for automotive ECUs and embedded real-time systems.
• Demonstrated ability to own a system end-to-end, from architecture through post-launch support, with minimal supervision.

Benefits:

• 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.