Embedded Software V&V Manager

Ford • Palo Alto, CA

16h • Hybrid

About The Position

In this position...
Ford Model E is responsible for developing the key technologies and capabilities – such as EV platforms, batteries, e-motors, inverters, charging and recycling – to create ground-up breakthrough electric vehicles.

By joining the best software, engineering, design and UX talent, you will be a part of creating new technologies and concepts that can be applied across the Ford enterprise.
Being on the Ford Model E team means building the future as Ford’s center of innovation and growth through electric and connected vehicles and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in embedded software Verification & Validation (V&V) or Software Quality Assurance.
• Leadership: At least 3 years of experience in a leadership or managerial role with a proven ability to motivate and guide technical teams.
• Technical Knowledge: o Deep understanding of the embedded software development lifecycle (SDLC) and methodologies (Agile, V-Model). o Proficiency in programming languages used in V&V (e.g., Python, C/C++). o Familiarity with automotive/embedded communication protocols (e.g., CAN, LIN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C).
• Skills: Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving abilities with excellent communication skills for stakeholder management.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Education: Master’s or PhD degree in a relevant engineering field.
• Industry Standards: Deep knowledge of safety-critical standards such as ISO 26262 (Automotive), IEC 61508, or DO-178C.
• DevOps & Tools: o Experience with Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. o Experience with requirements and defect management tools (e.g., Jira, Azure DevOps, DOORS).
• Architecture: Knowledge of embedded processor architectures and Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS).

Responsibilities

• Lead and Mentor: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of V&V engineers; foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Resource Management: Assign tasks based on team strengths, manage project timelines, and oversee resources and budgets to ensure timely delivery of validation activities.
• Performance Development: Provide technical guidance and feedback to drive individual growth and team capability.
• V&V Strategy: Define and implement comprehensive V&V strategies for embedded software, covering unit, integration, system, and acceptance testing.
• Automation Focus: Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of robust automated test frameworks and infrastructure to maximize test coverage and efficiency.
• Process Improvement: Establish and maintain V&V processes and methodologies (e.g., Agile, V-Model), continuously assessing emerging trends to improve quality and safety culture.
• Test Planning: Oversee the creation of test plans, cases, and scripts, ensuring thorough coverage of functional, non-functional, performance, and regression requirements.
• Quality Metrics: Establish quality metrics, analyze test results, lead root cause identification for reported issues, and track resolutions to ensure robust software delivery.
• Compliance: Ensure all activities comply with relevant industry standards (ISO 26262, AUTOSAR) and internal quality processes.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate closely with software development, systems engineering, and product management to ensure seamless integration and traceability of requirements from system to component level.
• Reporting: Present validation results, status reports, and actionable insights to senior management and external stakeholders (clients/suppliers).
• Design Reviews: Participate in design reviews and safety analyses to integrate validation processes early in the development cycle.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager