Staff Digital Key Software Engineer
Ford Motor2 months ago
Base Salary
$150k - $284k/yr
Responsibilities
- Own implementation of vehicle access authentication components covering transaction authorization, lock/unlock, start authorization, and remote functions across Digital Key and Key Card.
- Architect, develop, and maintain embedded software for automotive ECUs and real-time embedded platforms.
- Implement Digital Key functionality based on Car Connectivity Consortium standards and Key Card authentication flows.
- Develop vehicle access features using Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, and RF communication technologies.
- Define software architecture, interfaces, and communication frameworks between vehicle systems, credentials, and external devices.
- Collaborate with systems, hardware, validation, cybersecurity, and mobile application teams on end-to-end solutions.
- Write embedded C software and use Python for automation, testing, and validation.
- Support vehicle integration, debugging, bring-up, validation, and post-launch activities on prototype and production vehicles.
- Diagnose complex software, connectivity, and RF issues across vehicle and mobile ecosystems.
- Use and critically validate AI-assisted development tools for coding, review, debugging, documentation, and test generation in accordance with automotive safety, security, and MISRA standards.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- At least 8 years of professional embedded software development experience.
- Strong proficiency in Embedded C and 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 with complex industry standards such as Car Connectivity Consortium standards.
- Understanding of Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, RF communication, and wireless connectivity architectures.
- Experience developing software for automotive ECUs and embedded real-time systems.
- Ability to own systems end-to-end from architecture through post-launch support with minimal supervision.
- Practical experience using AI-assisted development tools such as VS Code Copilot, Claude Code, or similar.
- Preferred qualifications include automotive CCC Digital Key or Key Card implementation, Body Control Module or Vehicle Access ECU experience, vehicle access cybersecurity knowledge, CAN, Automotive Ethernet, diagnostics, vehicle communication protocols, vehicle integration and launch experience, embedded Linux, RTOS-based systems, ISO 26262, ASPICE, MISRA, and experience establishing guidelines for safe AI coding assistant use.
Benefits
- Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized backup child care, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and fertility benefits.
- Vehicle discount programs for employees and family members and management leases.
- Tuition assistance and employee resource groups.
- Paid time off for community service, paid holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, and an option to purchase additional vacation time.
- Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
- Hybrid work arrangement requiring onsite attendance four or more days per week.
About Ford Motor
Ford Motor Company designs, manufactures, and sells cars, trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles for consumers and businesses, and provides financing through Ford Credit. A public company headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan and listed on the NYSE, it operates globally under the Ford and Lincoln brands, including electric and connected vehicles such as the F‑150 Lightning and Mustang Mach‑E. Founded in 1903, it also offers software-driven fleet, mobility, and aftersales services.