Lead Platform Software V&V Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Lead Platform Software V&V Engineer ensuring quality and reliability of automotive software solutions at Ford. Architect, execute testing strategies for next-gen automotive ECUs.

Posted 7/30/2026full-timePalo Alto • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $150,200 - $283,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in validation and verification processes for automotive hardware, with a strong focus on microcontroller debugging, automotive communication protocols, and functional safety standards. Proficient in mentoring teams and executing test strategies that ensure high-quality code and safety-critical testing.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Microcontroller DebuggingAutomotive Networking ProtocolsFunctional Safety StandardsPython ProgrammingTest Strategy Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Microcontroller ValidationAutomotive EthernetCAN FDLINUnified Diagnostic ServicesISO 26262Test Automation FrameworksC ProgrammingHardware-Software Interface DefinitionsBench-Level Validation

Soft Skills

MentoringCross-Functional CollaborationTeam Coordination

Tools & Technologies

Realtek Ethernet TransceiversSystem Timer ModuleAutomotive ECUsHigh-Speed Ethernet Transceivers

Industry Keywords

Safety-Critical TestingValidation RoadmapTest Engineering ExcellenceArchitectural DesignPhysical Post-Silicon Testing

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define the validation & verification roadmap, test strategies, and architectural design for physical post-silicon bench testing and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments.
Mentor and guide offshore engineers and distributed validation teams across different regional US offices, establishing unified best practices for code quality, safety-critical testing, and test engineering excellence.
Coordinate cross-site execution to ensure continuous testing alignment, smooth handoffs, and consistent test artifact generation between global engineering groups.
Interface directly with cross-functional teams (Systems, Silicon, Firmware, Safety) to align verification plans with hardware-software interface definitions (HSI).
Execute bench-level validation on physical silicon evaluation boards and custom automotive ECUs.
Configure and validate hardware peripherals, specifically focusing on the System Timer Module (STM), memory protection units, and interrupt controllers.
Integrate and verify PHY/switch drivers, validating high-speed automotive Ethernet transceiver performance under varied environmental conditions.
Architect and execute test strategies for primary/secondary bootloaders, validating secure boot sequences (cryptographic signature verification), flashing routines via UDS (ISO 14229) over CAN/Ethernet, and dual-bank OTA roll-back mechanisms on microcontrollers.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Education: B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.
Processor Expertise: Hands-on experience debugging and validating microcontrollers (ie. ESP32, ARM Cortex-M, etc.).
Automotive Communication: Deep understanding of automotive networking protocols, including Automotive Ethernet (100BASE-T1/1000BASE-T1), CAN FD, LIN, and Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS / ISO 14229) for flashing configurations.
Silicon Ecosystems: Proven familiarity with Realtek Ethernet transceivers/switches and configuring low-level peripheral timers like the STM.
Functional Safety Standards: Comprehensive understanding of ISO 26262 processes, hardware-software interface definitions (HSI), and safety-critical testing techniques.
Software Toolkit: Strong programming fluency in Python for building bench automation frameworks, alongside C for low-level embedded software inspection.

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