Job DescriptionIn this position...
The Embedded Software & Cybersecurity Engineer will design, develop, and secure the embedded firmware that powers Ford Energy's battery management and monitoring systems. You will own the software architecture running on microcontrollers and embedded processors within the BESS environment - writing and hardening the low-level code that reads sensors, manages state-of-charge logic, communicates over vehicle- and grid-grade protocols, and defends against sophisticated threats. Working in close coordination with Ford Auto Engineering and Ford Energy technical teams, this is a hands-on engineering role at the intersection of firmware development and cybersecurity, ensuring safe, reliable, and secure operation of safety-critical infrastructure.
ResponsibilitiesWhat you'll do...
- Embedded Firmware Development & Architecture
- Design, develop, and maintain embedded C/C++ firmware for BMS controllers and battery monitoring electronics, including drivers, RTOS tasks, and control logic. Develop and maintain higher level applications that utilize Python, C#, Java.
- Architect secure-by-design firmware structures, including memory partitioning, secure bootloaders, and modular software layers that support both functional and security requirements.
- Implement Hardware Root of Trust, secure boot chains, code signing pipelines, and cryptographic key lifecycle management directly within embedded software.
- Develop and maintain low-level drivers and middleware for microcontroller peripherals (ADC, UART, SPI, CAN controllers) used in battery sensing and monitoring.
- Cybersecurity Architecture & Risk Management
- Lead cybersecurity architecture and TARA (Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment) for battery monitoring electronics and their firmware.
- Focus on mitigating risks related to sensor spoofing, unauthorized SOC manipulation, malicious commands, remote access, and firmware compromise through robust software design.
- Define and maintain testable cybersecurity requirements for BMS and monitoring functions, ensuring traceability from concept to release, and implement them directly in embedded code.
- Communication Stack & Secure Update Software
- Develop and secure embedded communication stacks, including CAN, SPI, Ethernet, and Modbus TCP protocol implementations.
- Design and implement secure OTA (Over-the-Air) and field update firmware, including bootloader-level authentication, anti-rollback protection, and fail-safe recovery/rollback logic.
- Design and implement algorithms for state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH), thermal management, and fault detection.
- Build and integrate embedded intrusion/anomaly detection routines into firmware for real-time attack awareness at the edge.
- Validation, Testing & Response
- Write and execute unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tests for embedded firmware; support vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and fuzz testing on battery monitoring and connected interfaces.
- Debug firmware issues using JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes; lead issue remediation planning and establish response processes for product vulnerabilities and field issues.
- Develop technical security case materials and evidence for design gates, audits, and compliance reviews.
- Cross-Functional Co-Engineering
- Collaborate with software, controls, and safety teams to ensure embedded security controls are compatible with functional safety and safe-state behavior.
- Align with Ford Energy Engineering and global suppliers on shared firmware architecture, release, and implementation standards.
- Communicate technical security risks, tradeoffs, and firmware design decisions to executive-level stakeholders.
QualificationsYou'll have...
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or Cybersecurity or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of embedded software/firmware development experience (C/C++, RTOS, microcontrollers) in BMS or battery electronics.
- Experience in embedded software, controls, or firmware development, preferably in energy storage, power electronics, EV, or renewable energy systems.
- Practical experience in TARA, cybersecurity architecture, and authoring technical security requirements implemented at the software level.
- Demonstrated experience with secure embedded design (Secure Boot, cryptographic implementation, bootloader development).
- Hands-on experience with embedded debugging tools (JTAG/SWD, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) and unit/HIL test frameworks.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to navigate cross-functional engineering teams.
Even better, you may have ...
- Master's degree in a relevant technical field.
- Experience with AUTOSAR, embedded Linux, or other software platforms.
- Direct experience with IEC 61508/62443, NERC CIP, or NIST SP 800-82 frameworks.
- Familiarity with functional safety (ISO 26262) and the co-engineering of safety and security in embedded systems.
- Experience developing secure OTA update mechanisms and vulnerability response firmware in a utility-scale environment.
- Deep knowledge of communication protocol stacks such as Modbus TCP, Ethernet, and CAN-FD at the driver/software level.
- Security-Minded Firmware Architect who views cybersecurity as a fundamental pillar of embedded software design, grid-scale safety, and reliability.
- Collaborative Technical Lead capable of bridging embedded software practices with industrial energy requirements.
- Analytical Problem Solver who can anticipate emerging threats and translate them into actionable firmware and architecture requirements.
- Strategic Gatekeeper dedicated to ensuring the integrity of data and commands across the entire BESS software lifecycle.
- Location & Travel
- Location: Dearborn, MI. This position is hybrid-friendly for candidates with a proven ability to deliver results in a flexible environment.
- Travel Expectations: Occasional travel to support suppliers, test houses, and customer sites.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
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, 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
• 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.
This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-166,200.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here. https://fordcareers.co/GSR
Company: As Ford establishes a wholly owned subsidiary focused on Battery Energy Storage Systems, this role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.
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