Thermal Systems Firmware Integration Engineer

In this position...
Ford is seeking a hands-on Thermal Firmware Integration Engineer to own the sensing and actuation layer of our next-generation climate system. Cabin comfort is one of the most immediate and personal parts of the customer experience. All of that depends on firmware correctly interpreting what the vehicle senses and precisely commanding what it actuates.

In this role you will own that layer end to end. You will lead the integration and characterization of cabin temperature sensors and rain light solar and humidity (RLSH) sensing drive the firmware integration of electromechanical registers (motorized air vents) and build the diagnostics and self-test capability that proves the system is healthy.
This is a multi-disciplinary role for someone who is equally comfortable reading embedded C instrumenting a buck interpreting a vehicle log. You will work closely with controls modeling and test engineers and directly with component suppliers. Our team is small and the scope is real: you will own your domain rather than coordinate it.

What youll do...

Cabin sensing integration and characterization

• Own the firmware integration of cabin temperature humidity solar and rain/light sensing from component selection and interface definition through characterization calibration and vehicle validation.

• Characterize sensor behavior across operating conditions and integrate the results into the climate control and models partnering with modeling and controls engineers.

• Work with controls engineers to define sensor plausibility validity and fault-detection logic so that the system degrades gracefully rather than failing outright when a sensor is compromised.

Electromechanical register and actuator integration

• Lead firmware integration of electromechanical registers (motorized air vents) including aiming position accuracy calibration and end-stop learning.

• Align register aiming and HMI representation so the position the customer selects on screen matches the airflow they receive working with infotainment and HMI teams to negotiate the interface.

• Define actuator interface requirements for suppliers and verify delivered behavior against them.

Diagnostics fault handling and manufacturing self-test

• Implement and verify diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) for climate sensors and actuators and define the supporting diagnostic codes.

• Partner with manufacturing and service teams to make self-test results actionable on the line and in the field and to drive first-pass yield on thermal build processes.

Firmware verification and hands-on debug

• Design and execute pre-merge verification plans; review embedded C and support release sign-off

• Lead root-cause investigation of integration issues using logging CAN/LIN/ETH trace analysis and physical measurement.

• Support vehicle test campaigns including offsite hot and cold weather trips.

• Log track and drive closure of issues to genuine root cause through the teams Jira and Jama workflow.

Feature and interface development

• Own the climate-to-HMI interface specification and hold command-to-response latency to target.

• Contribute to sprint planning and technical risk identification and document architecture interfaces and known issues so the work is maintainable by the team rather than by one person.

Youll have...

Bachelors degree in Mechatronics Mechanical Electrical or Computer Engineering.
3 years of experience in embedded systems firmware integration or systems engineering ideally in automotive or another relevant high-volume product domain.
Strong grounding in mechatronic fundamentals (sensors actuators motors position feedback) and how they interact with embedded software.
Proficiency reading and debugging C/C on embedded targets.
Demonstrated debugging skill across electrical mechanical and software domains and the judgment to know which one you are actually looking at.
Experience with automotive communication protocols (CAN LIN Ethernet) and associated tooling.
Hands-on comfort in a lab: building test setups instrumenting hardware and generating your own data.


Even better you may have...
Masters degree in a relevant engineering field.
Direct experience with HVAC systems and/or cabin climate control
Experience integrating environmental or optical sensing (humidity solar load rain/light) in an automotive context.
Experience with motorized air vents smart registers or similar customer-facing electromechanical devices.
Background in end-of-line testing manufacturing diagnostics or plant-facing validation.
Familiarity with diagnostic standards and services (UDS DTC design) and functional safety practice (ISO 26262).
Scripting for data analysis or test automation (Python MATLAB).
Proficiency with Vector tools (CANalyzer CANoe CANape) or equivalent calibration and debugging environments.
Experience with Agile delivery and workflow tooling (Jira Confluence) and requirements management (Jama).
Knowledge of thermal physics psychrometrics or fluid dynamics.


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 salary grade 8 and ranges from $138800-$232700.
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

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