Hardware Engineer

Job Description

As a member of Ford's Advanced Networking Group, the Hardware Engineer will be responsible for ensuring signal integrity in in-vehicle communication networks. The Advanced Networking Group plays a crucial role in identifying and developing optimal in-vehicle communication networks for Ford's next-generation electrical architecture. This involves integrating new network technologies, enhancing the performance of existing ones, and maintaining electrical robustness for automotive applications. The group is tasked with creating network requirement specifications and design verification documents spanning from OSI model's layer 1 (hardware) to layer 2. These specifications are utilized by Product Development teams across all vehicle programs. Additionally, the group ensures the accurate implementation of in-vehicle communication networks through comprehensive design reviews, simulations, measurements, and proof of concept.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing automotive communication network interfaces, including PCB components, layout, cables, connectors, etc., to ensure compliance with industry standards and automotive requirements for Signal Integrity (SI) and Electromagnetic Interference/Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC).
• Conducting signal integrity simulations to detect and address potential issues and performing measurements for validation and correlation.
• Collaborating with product development teams—Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS), and Vehicle Validation—to seamlessly integrate signal integrity throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Developing design verification test methods to guarantee robustness and performance.
• Leading problem-solving activities for signal integrity functional failures in prototypes and production vehicles.
• Providing technical guidance, feasibility assessments, alternative solutions, and oversight for in-vehicle network implementations to product development teams.
• Driving the development of industry standards to reduce component costs, automate testing, and address common automotive industry challenges in collaboration with industry experts.
• Establishing strong relationships with chip, cable, and connector vendors to evaluate emerging technologies.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent technical field.
• 2+ years of experience in designing hardware circuits (digital and analog electronics, such as microcontrollers, transceivers, filters, ESD protection, etc.)
• 2+ years of experience in reviewing schematics and PCB layout design for SI and EMC/EMI validation.
• Proficient in lab testing and characterization using equipment such as oscilloscopes, vector network analyzers, time domain reflectometers, and circuit board rework stations.
• Good understanding of automotive communication interfaces (e.g., LIN, CAN, Ethernet, SerDes).
• Proficient in transmission line theory, S-parameters, bit error rate testing, crosstalk, characteristic impedance, eye diagrams, and time-domain analysis.
  
  
  

Preferred requirements:

• Master's degree in electrical engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in designing high-speed digital circuits for automotive applications.
• 5+ years of experience with SI simulation tools.
• 5+ years of experience with EMC/EMI and regulatory requirements for automotive components.
• Experience in designing, modeling, and characterizing high-speed network interfaces.
• In-depth knowledge of transmission line and electromagnetic theory.
• Proficiency in PCB design tools (e.g., Altium) and circuit simulation tools (e.g., LTSpice).
• Experience with automotive networking hardware, network structures, data transmission rates, network configuration, and networking protocols.
• Experience in capturing and writing requirements specifications.
• Experience with vehicle diagnostic tools for troubleshooting, analyzing, and resolving vehicle network issues.
• Experience collaborating with automotive standards organizations like IEEE, SAE, ASA, and Open Alliance.
• Self-starter attitude: Willing to take on assignments with general goals and collaborate within a team to achieve them.
  
  
  

What You Will Receive In Return

As part of the Ford family, you will enjoy excellent compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings and stock investment plans, incentive compensation and much more. You will also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.

If you have what it takes to help us redefine the future of mobility, we would love to have you join us.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• 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.
  
  
  

For information on Ford's salary and benefits, please visit:

https://fordcareers.co/GSR-HTHD

Salary Grade: SG5-SG8

Candidates with Ford Motor Company positions must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

Same Posting Description for Internal and External Candidates