Vehicle Software Updates Engineering Manager

Ford Motor Company

Vehicle Software Updates Systems Engineering Manager leading Ford’s software release pipeline. Manage a team to ensure integral software deployment from assembly to service diagnostics and OTA updates.

Posted 7/30/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $141,700 - $268,300 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Software Factory toolchains, with a strong focus on Automotive OTA update technology and system-level architecture. Proven leadership in managing cross-functional teams and driving software release transformation in safety-critical environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)Automotive OTA Update TechnologySoftware Factory ToolchainsLeadership in Cross-Functional TeamsAutomotive Communication Protocols

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Software EngineeringSystems EngineeringEmbedded Systems DevelopmentTechnical ArchitectureCybersecurity PrinciplesProcess AutomationQuality Assurance StandardsSystem-Level RequirementsIntegration and Field Issue ResolutionTechnical Mastery of CAN and Ethernet/SomeIP

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication SkillsMentoring and Team DevelopmentContinuous Improvement MindsetAbstracting Technical MaterialCollaboration Across Teams

Tools & Technologies

GitHubGCPJenkinsIVS/SWCM/SRP/VRP SystemsCloud Operations

Industry Keywords

Automotive IndustrySafety-Critical SoftwareAerospaceDefenseSoftware Release Transformation

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AssemblyCloudCyber SecurityDistributed SystemsGoogle Cloud PlatformJenkinsSDLC

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the architectural design and evolution of Ford's next-generation Software Factory release and deploy pipeline. Define the strategy for how software is released and deployed across the entire vehicle lifecycle from initial assembly in the plant to service diagnostics and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Recruit, mentor, and develop a diverse team of Systems Engineers. Foster a culture of technical excellence, continuous improvement, and agile delivery, specifically focused on high-integrity software release practices.
Oversee the creation and standardization of system-level requirements and specifications. Establish rigorous quality gates and validation standards to ensure software integrity across all delivery channels (Plant, Service, and OTA).
Optimize and automate processes for software release and deployment activities. Lead triaging and resolution efforts for complex integration and field issues.
Serve as the primary point of contact for Software Release and Deploy transformation at Ford (including SRP/VRP transformation) for senior leadership and global stakeholders across Manufacturing/Plant Operations, Service Engineering, Embedded ECU Development, and Cloud Operations.
Coordinate between multiple teams to ensure the "Software Factory" toolchain seamlessly integrates with vehicle hardware, ensuring a consistent and reliable pipeline to release high-quality Software Release Packages and Vehicle Release Packages while managing migration of legacy systems to the modernized systems.
Drive "War Room" sessions and executive reviews to resolve critical path blockers for vehicle launches (Job 1) and major software feature rollouts, ensuring zero-defect delivery.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, systems engineering, computer science, or a related technical field.
Minimum 10 years of experience in Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Embedded Systems Development or related fields.
Minimum 5 years of experience in a formal or informal leadership or management role, leading cross-functional technical teams through complex product lifecycles.
Deep understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Software Factory toolchains (e.g., GitHub, GCP, Jenkins).
Proven ability to translate complex business requirements into technical system-level architectures for both Embedded and Cloud domains.
Direct experience in Automotive OTA (Over-the-Air) update technology or large-scale distributed systems.
Familiarity with the Ford in-house IVS/SWCM/SRP/VRP systems to drive Software Release transformation
Technical mastery of automotive communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet/SomeIP) and cybersecurity principles for software deployment.
Exceptional communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to abstract technical material for executive-level presentations (LL5+).
Experience creating and managing big picture roadmaps across complex projects and multiple development teams to drive Macro-level project progress across cross-functional domains.
Background in the Aerospace, Defense, or Automotive industries with a focus on safety-critical software integration.
Demonstrated "Product Mindset" with ownership of the end-to-end product lifecycle (strategy, development, launch, and post-launch support).

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.