Perception Systems Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Systems Engineer contributing to Ford's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems team. Designing and testing Near-Field Perception systems to enhance vehicle safety and functionality.

Posted 6/2/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $99,600 - $192,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the decomposition of functions and architecture for Near Field Perception Systems, aligning with Feature System Engineers to ensure coverage and completeness
Translate feature-level requirements into specific sensing system performance expectations.
Define and establish comprehensive performance requirements and metrics for the Neir-Field Perception System, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the system including availability, accuracy, and false positive rates.
Evaluate and optimize a variety of perception data pipelines including those utilizing ultrasonic based sensing.
Work with vendors to measure system sensitivity to numerous factors including vehicle characteristics (e.g., sensor packaging) and environmental conditions.
Design validation strategies to quantify system robustness against interacting noise factors for both platform and application sign-off
Own Failure Mode Analysis actions for Near Field Perception, including authoring DFMEAs, Permanent Corrective Actions, and Systemic Prevent Recurrence.
Explore and propose system architecture modifications to decrease application sensitivity.
Partner with vendors and our hardware team to refine sensor packaging requirements.
Perform root cause analysis with cross-functional teams on current generation systems.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
5+ years of experience as a systems engineer, including authoring functional & performance requirements in the automotive, aerospace, defense, or related industry
3+ years of experience working on projects leveraging Near Field Perception solutions
Deep understanding of the physical principles & limitations of Ultrasonic Sensors
Knowledge of probabilistic filtering (e.g., Kalman Filters, Particle Filters) and spatial mapping techniques like Occupancy Grid Mapping
Proficiency using Requirements Management tools such as DOORS, JAMA, or Polarion
Proficiency in statistical analysis and experimental design
Strong communication skills and ability to lead ad-hoc teams.

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

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Near Field Perception Systemsperformance requirementsKey Performance Indicatorsperception data pipelinesultrasonic sensingFailure Mode AnalysisDFMEAsprobabilistic filteringKalman FiltersOccupancy Grid Mapping

Soft Skills

strong communication skillsleadershipcross-functional collaboration