Staff Digital Key Software Engineer
Ford Motor5 days 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 systems.
- 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, Ultra-Wideband, NFC, and RF communication technologies.
- Define software architecture, interfaces, and communication frameworks between vehicle systems, credentials, and external devices.
- Lead collaboration across systems, hardware, validation, cybersecurity, and mobile application teams.
- Use C for embedded development and Python for automation, testing, and validation.
- Support vehicle integration, debugging, prototype and production vehicle bring-up, and post-launch support.
- Diagnose complex software, connectivity, and RF issues across vehicle and mobile ecosystems.
- Use AI-assisted development tools for coding, review, debugging, documentation, and test-case generation while validating output against automotive safety, security, and coding standards.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- 8+ years of professional experience developing embedded software.
- 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 Car Connectivity Consortium standards and Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, RF, 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 with AI-assisted development tools such as VS Code Copilot, Claude Code, or similar.
- Preferred experience includes automotive CCC Digital Key or Key Card systems, Body Control Modules, vehicle-access cybersecurity, CAN, Automotive Ethernet, diagnostics, vehicle integration, embedded Linux, RTOS-based systems, ISO 26262, ASPICE, MISRA, and safe use of AI coding assistants in regulated environments.
Benefits
- Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new-parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
- Family-building benefits including adoption and surrogacy reimbursement and fertility treatments.
- Vehicle discount programs for employees and family members and management leases.
- Tuition assistance and established employee resource groups.
- Paid time off for individual and team community service.
- Paid holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, plus the option to purchase additional vacation time.
- Hybrid position requiring onsite work four or more days per week.
- Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
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.