Staff Vehicle Test Engineer

Job Description
We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we're all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

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.

Responsibilities
What you'll do...

• Develop and execute vehicle-level test plans for pre-merge and post-merge software releases.
• Lead daily regression testing loops (startup/shutdown, diagnostics, CAN/Ethernet communication, domain feature smoke tests).
• Operate and maintain prototype vehicles, ensuring readiness for software testing and proving ground campaigns.
• Collect, analyze, and manage vehicle log data, providing clear feedback to integration and domain software teams.
• Debug and triage software/hardware integration issues, working closely with integration engineers and suppliers.
• Support vehicle bring-up: ECU flashing, network validation, wiring checks, and basic diagnostics.
• Define and enforce test processes and standards to ensure consistent execution across vehicles and sites.
• Mentor junior vehicle test engineers/operators on procedures, safety, and best practices.
• Partner with release and tools engineers to automate test result reporting and regression tracking.
• Support extended test campaigns at proving grounds, winter test sites, and internal demos.

Qualifications
You'll have...

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of experience in automotive vehicle-level testing or integration, with at least some exposure to multiple domains (chassis, powertrain, ADAS, body, infotainment).
• Strong hands-on experience with prototype vehicles, including flashing ECUs, configuring networks, and running test campaigns.
• Proficiency in automotive communication tools (Vector CANoe, CANalyzer, CANape; or equivalent).
• Experience analyzing and managing vehicle logs (MDF, BLF, or other formats).
• Solid understanding of diagnostics (UDS, OBD-II, DoIP) and ECU validation.
• Comfortable with scripting (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for test automation and data analysis.
• Proven ability to debug issues at the system level, bridging software and hardware boundaries.
• Familiarity with safety and validation processes (ISO 26262, ASPICE) is a plus.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, prototype-heavy environment with changing priorities.
• Willingness to work flexible hours (afternoon/evening/weekend shifts) as needed during test campaigns.
• Willingness to travel for proving ground and winter test campaigns.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've 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 builder…or 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 Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a leadership level 6.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here:

Visa 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 status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call

Onsite work of up to three days per week may be required for candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub location.