Principal Software Engineer

Job Description:

We are seeking a talented Senior Staff Software Engineer (Leadership Rank) to join our team and play a key role in developing software solutions for connected electric vehicles business application layer. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software development, particularly in the automotive industry, and a passion for innovation and sustainability. 

You will be responsible for providing technical leadership, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions. Your expertise and experience will be instrumental in shaping the technical direction of the company.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of software solutions for connected electric vehicles cloud services, including new generation Ford EV core connectivity to Ford vehicle connectivity layer, Ford energy services capabilities, and vehicle-to-grid communication. 

• Lead technical teams in the creation of APIs and services that allow vehicles cloud platform to interface with external networks, devices, and applications.

• Partner with enterprise architects to help define actionable solutions architectures and lead architecture though leadership for the product area

• Design and implement security protocols to protect connected device data and ensure the privacy and safety of user information.

• Identify any performance bottlenecks and issues in the solution design and provide mitigation strategies for building highly scalable platforms.

• Drive the implementation of advanced vehicle telematics and connectivity features, leveraging industry standards and best practices including but not restricted to established communication standards and protocols. 

• Lead integrations with third-party APIs, legacy systems, or cloud services to build go to market digital capabilities.

• Lead architectural discussions and contribute to the overall technical strategy of the organization. Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues, ensuring the stability and performance of software systems. 

• Design solutions to meet security and compliance requirements, such as data privacy regulations and industry standards. 

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, identifying areas for improvement and implementing innovative solutions and propose enhancements or optimizations. This includes conducting performance analysis, monitoring system metrics, and implementing feedback loops for continuous improvement. 

• Lead software craftsmanship best practices implementation in the product space including clean coding, DevOps maturity and tracking and SRE observability metrics tracking and improvement.

• Lead new tech POCs in connected home energy management space.

• Collaborate with stakeholders, including business analysts, project managers, and developers, to understand the business requirements and translate them into a technical solution design. This involves creating architectural diagrams, defining system components, and selecting appropriate technologies. 

• Mentor junior engineers, providing guidance and promoting best practices in software development and system integration. 

• Stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in connected vehicle software and contribute to the company's long-term technology roadmap. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related field. 

• Extensive experience in software development, with a focus on designing and building scalable and high-performance systems. 

• Strong proficiency in one or more programming languages, such as Java, C++, Python, or JavaScript. 

• In-depth knowledge of software engineering principles, design patterns, and best practices. 

• Exposure to event driven architecture and database patterns including SAGA, CQRS, API Decomposition etc.

• Proven experience in leading and mentoring engineering teams, driving technical excellence, and fostering a collaborative culture. 

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to quickly understand complex systems and propose effective solutions. 

• Proven experience in leading DevOps practices and related metrics tracking

• Experience of real time operating systems

• Strong understanding of vehicle communication protocols (e.g., CAN, LIN, Ethernet) and automotive networking standards (e.g., AUTOSAR, ISO 26262). 

• Experience with cloud-based services, IoT platforms, and cybersecurity best practices for connected vehicles.

Additional Requirements: 

• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and integrating cloud services with connected vehicle systems. 

• Contributions to automotive open-source projects or active membership in automotive software communities. 

• Certifications or specialized training in automotive software development, cybersecurity, or related fields.