Pre-Production Controls Development Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Investigating control functionality for Pre-Program Motion control technology to develop new control system requirements. Supporting Ford-developed control systems tools under the direction of Vehicle Controls Technical Leader.

Posted 5/30/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $85,400 - $192,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Investigating control functionality for Pre-Program Motion (PT/Chassis) control technology to develop for new control system requirements, algorithms, systems design, and coding in areas where new technology is needed.
Supporting software, module, and sensor changes to Ford-developed control systems tools under the direction of the Vehicle Controls Senior Technical Leader.
Collaborating with partners in calibration, engine, transmissions/driveline, emissions development, and similar to understand needs and form detailed assumptions for control system technology.
Creating and delivering required milestone deliverables for both MR and PS as well as designs and support for any X-phase prototypes.
Developing prototype models, simulations and data analysis in support of any new technology design using standard tools and strong first principle engineering analysis.
Writing rapid prototype code and making builds for testing new control systems in SIL/HIL/Vehicle to generate necessary data and/or demonstrate functionality.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science, or related degree, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
5+ years’ experience in C-language (or equivalent), preferably in support of an embedded control systems environment.
3+ years’ experience in control system or embedded logic development
3+ years working experience of Code Configuration Management, Jira Issue Management, Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint.
Knowledge in Powertrain, Chassis, and/or Body controls development and the underlying physics/functional knowledge of those systems.
3+ years’ experience controls mechatronic hardware including sensors and actuators
10+ years’ experience in C-language (or similar), preferably in support of an embedded real-time control systems environment.
Knowledge of rapid prototyping environments such as Arduino or Raspberry PI
Knowledge of control system software and calibration development including ATI/Vision, ETAS/Inca and data analysis tools such as MATLAB or similar and familiarity with working with prototype vehicles and HIL environments.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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.

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

C-languageembedded control systemscontrol system developmentCode Configuration Managementrapid prototypingdata analysismechatronic hardwaresensorsactuatorscalibration development