Ford Motor Company

RAE Software Engineer

Ford Motor Company • $115K — $192K *
Dearborn, MI 48126In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
  • 7+ years of experience in software engineering with demonstrable impact
  • 7+ years of strong C++ expertise for performance-critical systems
  • 7+ years of experience with system-level programming (multi-threading, memory, IPC)
  • 7+ years integrating software with hardware systems or devices
  • 7+ years of ownership of a complex software subsystem, including architecture definition and implementation
  • 7+ years working on latency-sensitive or real-time applications with performance understanding.

Responsibilities

  • Design and develop high-performance C++ software for AR HUD pipelines
  • Integrate platform software with real-time AR rendering stacks
  • Interface with vehicle data pipelines to ingest ADAS signals and vehicle state
  • Translate vehicle signals into real-time AR visualization inputs
  • Collaborate with lab and prototype teams to stabilize demo systems
  • Define and execute validation strategies for latency and timing behavior
  • Act as a technical owner across software and hardware boundaries.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment with onsite requirements at Ford locations
  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AR technologies
  • Cross-disciplinary collaboration with optics and ADAS teams
  • Engagement in prototype-to-production technology development
  • Utilization of AI-assisted tools for efficient coding and testing.
Full Job Description
Job Description

In this position...
Ford is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead development of core software infrastructure for next-generation Augmented Reality (AR) Head-Up Display (HUD) systems.
This role focuses on low-level systems engineering, platform architecture, hardware and software integration, vehicle data ingestion, and real-time AR rendering pipelines. The engineer will work across the stack from vehicle interfaces and sensor inputs to rendering integration and system validation to help transition advanced prototypes toward production-intent systems.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...
  • Design and develop low-level, high-performance C++ software supporting AR HUD pipelines, building and maintaining modular platform infrastructure enabling.
  • Rendering pipelines, sensor/camera ingestion, and vehicle signal integration while debugging and optimizing memory for threading, and real-time performance constraints.
  • Integrate platform software with real-time AR rendering stacks (e.g., Qt / OpenGL / Vulkan), supporting multi-view / autostereoscopic rendering pipelines while ensuring synchronization between rendering outputs and sensor inputs (eye tracking, cameras).
  • Interface with vehicle data pipelines (CAN / Ethernet) to ingest ADAS signals, navigation / localization data, vehicle state information with LiDAR.
  • Translate vehicle signals into real-time AR visualization inputs and support integration and debugging in vehicle and bench environments.
  • Collaborate with lab and prototype teams to stabilize demo and test systems.
  • Define and execute validation strategies for latency and timing behavior, sensor-to-render synchronization.
  • Maintain stability under real-world conditions (thermal, vibration, sunlight) and identify and resolve system-level bottlenecks.
  • Act as a technical owner across software + hardware boundaries working closely with Optics experts, the ADAS team, & Suppliers (e.g., display or camera vendors) to drive technical decisions, tradeoffs, and mitigate risk mitigation
  • Leverage AI-assisted coding tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, LLM-based code assistants) to accelerate C++ development, refactoring, and unit test generation for performance-critical systems.
  • Leverage 3D rendering engine coding experience (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, or custom rendering engines) to inform shader development, scene composition, and real-time rendering optimizations within the Qt/OpenGL/Vulkan AR HUD pipeline.


Qualifications

You'll have...
  • Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
  • 7+ years of experience in software engineering or equivalent demonstrable impact
  • 7+ years of experience Strong expertise in C++ development for performance-critical systems
  • 7+ years of experience with system-level programming (multi-threading, memory, IPC, etc.)
  • 7+ years of experience integrating software with hardware systems or devices
  • 7+ years of experience with end-to-end ownership of a complex software subsystem, including architectural definition and implementation.
  • 7+ years of experience integrating software with hardware, sensors, cameras, vehicle systems, or embedded platforms.
  • 7+ years of experience in work on latency-sensitive or real-time applications with an understanding of performance tradeoffs and constraints.

Even better, you may have...
  • PhD in Computer Science or related field
  • Experience with graphics or rendering systems (Qt, OpenGL, Vulkan)
  • Exposure to AR/VR, HUDs, or display systems
  • Experience with vehicle networks (CAN, Ethernet)
  • Familiarity with ADAS data pipelines or perception systems
  • Experience in prototype-to-production technology development environments
  • Linux or UNIX system experience.
  • Experience with real-time rendering pipelines, shader development, and GPU performance optimization in a shipped game or interactive entertainment product
  • Experience shipping performance-critical, latency-sensitive software in consumer hardware environments (console, PC, or mobile), demonstrating comfort with hardware constraints similar to automotive embedded systems

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!

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $115,000-$192,900.
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

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. #LI-Hybrid

#LI-AC4

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company manufactures or distributes automobiles in addition to offering financial services. The company sells to dealerships for retail sales, and for sale to fleet customers, including commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Ford’s vehicle portfolio includes automobiles, buses, tractors, and trucks. Retail financing includes retail installment sale contracts for new and used vehicles, and direct financing leases for new vehicles to retail customers, government entities, daily rental car companies, and fleet customers. Finance receivables in the non-consumer portfolio include products offered to automotive dealers. Ford’s environmental initiatives include compressed natural gas, flexible fuel vehicles, electric drive vehicles, Hydrogen, PC power management, and so on. Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 and is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford Motor Company Careers

Join the dynamic team at Ford Motor Company, a global leader in automotive innovation and manufacturing. At Ford, we are committed to driving human progress by providing outstanding vehicles and mobility solutions. This is an exciting time to become part of our inclusive team, where job opportunities abound and growth is not just a possibility, but a promise.

Work You’ll Do

At Ford Motor Company, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our professionals are at the forefront of automotive technology, leading projects that redefine transportation and sustainability. With a culture rooted in continuous improvement and respect for all, Ford offers a workplace where leadership, diversity training, and innovation are part of everyday life.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

Ford’s commitment to excellence is why we are a leader in the automotive sector. We offer a variety of career paths, from engineering to marketing, all designed to foster professional and personal growth. Our team benefits from Ford’s commitment to professional development and networking opportunities, ensuring that every team member can reach their full potential.

Innovative Work

Engage in work that makes a difference. Ford Motor Company is pioneering developments in electrification, autonomous vehicles, and smart mobility solutions. Our team of over 190,000 employees worldwide is dedicated to crafting experiences that improve the way the world moves.

Be Part of a Great Team

Working at Ford means more than just having a job; it means being part of a global family. Our culture promotes teamwork, integrity, and respect—values that underpin everything we do. We believe in nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment where every employee can thrive.

Future-Proof Your Career

Ford Motor Company is not just a great place to work; it’s a place to build a lasting career. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, comprehensive health care, and retirement plans that rank among the best in the industry. We support career advancement through extensive training programs and hands-on experience in the latest automotive technologies.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a student interested in an internship, Ford has opportunities that will harness your skills and ignite your ambition. Our hiring process is straightforward and respectful, designed to match your skills and passions with the right position.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Ready to start your journey with Ford? Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that’s building the future of transportation.

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Learn more about Ford Motor Company
Size
183,000 employees
Market Cap
$44.8 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1903
5 Year Trend
-2.1%
Revenue
$127.1 billion
NASDAQ
F
* Ladders Estimates

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