Staff Digital Key Software Engineer

We made history and now we work to transform the future for our customers our communities and our families. Youll 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.

Fords Electric Vehicles Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the companys 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. Youll 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...

Fords Advanced EV and Software organization is looking for a Staff Software Engineer to take full functional ownership of the vehicle access authentication path and the customer-facing vehicle functions built on top of it. This is the software that every single customer access event passes through transaction authorization lock/unlock start authorization and remote functions spanning Digital Key and Key Card credentials. You 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.

What youll do...

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 (such as VS Code with GitHub Copilot or other Ford-approved AI coding assistants) to accelerate coding code review debugging documentation and test-case generation while critically validating all AI-suggested code against automotive safety security and coding standards (e.g. MISRA).

Youll have...

Bachelors or Masters 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.
Practical experience using modern AI-assisted development tools (e.g. VS Code Copilot Claude Code or similar) to improve coding efficiency accelerate debugging and support test/documentation generation paired with sound judgment on responsible use of AI-generated output.

Even better you may have...

Automotive experience implementing CCC Digital Key vehicle access technology and/or Key Card authentication systems.
Experience developing software for Body Control Modules (BCM) or Vehicle Access ECUs.
Knowledge of cybersecurity concepts related to vehicle access transaction authorization and secure authentication.
Familiarity with CAN Automotive Ethernet diagnostics and vehicle communication protocols.
Experience with vehicle integration validation and launch activities.
Understanding of embedded Linux and RTOS-based systems.
Familiarity with ISO 26262 ASPICE MISRA or automotive software development processes.
Experience establishing or contributing to team guidelines for the safe and efficient use of AI coding assistants in safety-critical or regulated software environments.

You may not check every box or your experience may look a little different from what weve 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 builderor 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 Years Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a leadership level 6 and ranges from $150200-$283500.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidates 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: sponsorship is 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 the United States if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability please call 1-.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #UEV

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