Functional Safety Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Functional Safety Engineer developing and validating automotive software systems at Ford. Collaborating on safety design and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

Posted 6/9/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $77,792 - $192,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and refine functional safety work products for safety design, implementation, and validation of software for ensuring proper feature-level safety and performance.
Create concept, logical and technical level requirements in support of Features and Platform Systems, including diagnostic requirements as applicable.
Develop modeling elements in Tools.
Plan and execute design verification plans to ensure proper response for Functional and Technical requirements.
Support and coordinate root-cause analysis with internal and external suppliers.
Work in collaboration with Software Teams to implement and validate requirements in support of functional safety deliverables.
The referenced job duties relate to the verification and validation of embedded software systems used in automotive electronic control systems. This involves validating software functionality to ensure compliance with functional and technical safety requirements. These systems include functions such as driver assistance features, vehicle monitoring systems, and electronic control of vehicle components (braking, steering, and sensor-based features). Verification activities are performed using industry-standard testing systems, including Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), prototype hardware setups, and vehicle-level testing environments. These systems simulate real-world operating conditions to evaluate software performance and safety. The Functional Safety Engineer collaborates with cross-functional engineering teams to plan and execute testing and prepares Verification and Validation Reports documenting requirements, test methods, and results.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Systems Engineering or related field and 2 years of experience in the job offered or related occupation.
2 years of experience with each of the following skills is required:
1. Utilize Magicdraw (System Modeling Language/SYSML) for model-based systems engineering.
2. Application of ISO26262 safety standards for automotive systems development.
3. Using ATI Vision and CANalyzer for calibration.
4. Performing Failure Mode Avoidance (FMEA) for troubleshooting software systems.
5. Translating system cascaded requirements into safety technical requirements.
6. Requirements supporting EARS Format, having traceability to Safety Goals, and derive Technical Safety Requirements with corresponding Test Case.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage**
Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care 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.****

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Hard Skills & Tools

model-based systems engineeringfunctional safetysoftware validationrequirements engineeringfailure mode avoidancesafety technical requirementstest case developmentdiagnostic requirementsdesign verificationroot-cause analysis

Soft Skills

collaborationcommunicationproblem-solvingorganizational skillsattention to detail