Skip to main content
Ford Careers (Home)
Build a future you can believe in.

Director, IVI Systems & SW Product Engineering 

Job ID
61599
Location
Dearborn, Michigan
Category
Enterprise Product Line Management
Apply Now

At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.

  • Job Type: Full time
  • Work Type: Hybrid
Apply Now

The Director of IVI Systems and Software Product Engineering is the primary architect of the execution path for Ford’s next-generation digital cockpit. This role serves as the "technical glue" for the organization, leading a high-performing global team that transforms visionary UX intent into high-quality, customer-ready software. Operating at the intersection of deep technical expertise and product ownership, the Director is responsible for the end-to-end engineering lifecycle—from early feasibility and architectural definition to production release and over-the-air (OTA) enhancements. By scaling the SPE framework, this leader ensures that every feature is technically sound, safe, and delivered with the rigor required for zero field failures.

You Will...

  • Strategic Feature Lifecycle Management: Own and drive the end-to-end technical execution of the IVI portfolio. Ensure technical feasibility, integration, and quality across all vehicle milestones, maintaining a deep architectural understanding of system behaviors (SOA, CAN, and cloud extensions).
  • High-Level Design & Traceability: Lead the translation and traceability between Product, Systems, and UX. Oversee the creation of Feature HLDs and system APIs, ensuring they align with platform constraints and vehicle configurations.
  • Technical Collaboration & "Product Truth": Act as the engineering lead within the Triad partnership (Product, Design, Technical Strategy). Institutionalize architecture and design reviews to confirm specification completeness and technical alignment before implementation begins.
  • Partner & Ecosystem Engineering: Serve as the executive technical liaison to external technology partners. Oversee API integration, feature contract negotiations, and compliance with internal architectural standards.
  • Agile Governance & PI Planning: Lead the technical input for Program Increment (PI) Planning. Coordinate development OKRs, document engineering commitments, and ensure that technical gaps or open architecture issues are visible and tracked at the leadership level.
  • Risk Engineering & Mitigation: Proactively identify and mitigate architecture-level and integration risks. Lead Change Request (CR) impact assessments, providing technical cost/timing estimates and risk analysis across affected ECUs and software layers.
  • Defect Triage & Quality Strategy: Establish the strategy for defect root cause isolation. Prioritize and assign complex defects based on platform impact and customer experience, ensuring the backlog is technically scoped and prioritized for the engineering teams.
  • Full-Stack Validation & Sign-Off: Accountable for the technical sign-off of feature releases. Ensure robust validation across simulated environments (HIL/SIL) and in-vehicle testing, covering everything from UI responsiveness to middleware and actuator-level outputs.
  • Continuous Improvement & OTA Strategy: Lead the delivery of over-the-air (OTA) enhancements and performance improvements, utilizing platform diagnostics and customer data to drive post-launch excellence.
  • Executive Visibility & Metrics: Maintain technical dashboards that track feature coverage, architecture readiness, and open risks. Report to senior leadership with a focus on engineering-level gaps and proposed technical mitigations (Sagas/Epics/Stories). 

You'll Have...

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Experience: 10+ years in automotive software or consumer electronics, with a focus on vehicle embedded development, HMI and Infotainment systems.
  • Leadership: Proven success as a "Leader of Leaders," managing large engineering organizations through high-stakes vehicle program deliveries.
  • Technical Breadth: Deep expertise in embedded systems architecture, cloud interactions, and the translation of UX intent into implementation tasks.
  • Systems Engineering: Mastery of requirement decomposition, API contract negotiation, and cross-stack integration.
  • Communication: Exceptional ability to align senior stakeholders across Design, Product, and Safety (ASO) on technical execution paths.

You may also have...

  • Data-Driven Prioritization: Experience using DTUX or similar analytics to drive engineering prioritization and feature enhancements.
  • Safety Expertise: Advanced knowledge of Functional Safety (FuSa) and ISO 26262 standards.
  • Advanced Degree: Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA.
  • Ecosystem Experience: Direct experience managing technical relationships with major silicon or software ecosystem partners.

What you'll receive in return…

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

Our benefits summary can be found here:

https://fordcareers.co/LL4Benefits

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 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.

This position is a leadership level 4.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 
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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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.

Onsite work of up to three days per week may be required for candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub location.  #LI-MB3

Apply Now

Looking for jobs tailored to you?

Upload Your Resume

Change the world with your ideas.

Speak up. We’re listening. At Ford, we believe the right ideas, and the people behind them, can move an entire industry. Here, you'll work with teams who value your voice, push bold ideas forward, and leave a mark that lasts.

An office lobby with people in various activities.

Support designed to go the distance.

From day one, Ford invests in you with medical benefits built to help you plan for what’s next. You’ll also get support for you and your family that meets you at every step, so you can move forward with confidence.

  • Health and Wellness

    Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, mental health, and unique wellness perks keep you and your family supported every step of the way.

  • Financial and Retirement Programs

    Build a strong financial future with robust retirement contributions, savings programs, and free personalized financial planning tools.

  • Flexible Vacation and Holidays

    Enjoy your time away from work with generous vacation, holidays, and flexible family leave designed to help you balance life and work with ease.

  • Vehicle Discount Program

    The best thing about building great products is driving them! The second-best thing: sharing your discount with family and friends so they can drive them, too.

  • Family Growth and Support

    Grow your family confidently with fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance, paid parental leave, and a supportive new-parent ramp-up program.

  • Additional Programs

    Enjoy unexpected extras like pet insurance, legal services, identity protection, and access to convenient health and wellness services.

Ford gives me the space to innovate, to lead, and to serve — all while staying true to who I am as an engineer, educator, and parent. It’s not just a career; it’s a community that drives change.

Related Content

  • A century of tailgate innovation.

    Read our Tailgate Tale

    For nearly a century, Ford engineers have adapted and improved tailgate experiences to meet the needs of station wagon, SUV and truck customers.
  • The women of Ford from the 1950s to the 1980s.

    Making History

    Women of Ford: 1950s-1980s Looking to the women of the past to inspire our future.
  • The women of Ford from the 1990s to 2020s.

    Follow Her Lead

    Women of Ford: 1990s-2020s Looking to the women of the past to inspire our future.
  • Ford Canada

    Ford Canada

    Discover career opportunities at Ford of Canada across manufacturing, engineering, software development, skilled trades, and corporate functions. Learn about internships, training programs, and why Ford is recognized as a top employer in Canada.
  • Ford employees in Mexico.

    Ford Mexico

    Ya sea que estés comenzando tu carrera o buscando dar el siguiente paso, Ford of Mexico te brinda la oportunidad de trabajar junto a equipos talentosos que están definiendo los vehículos y las tecnologías del mañana. Explora las vacantes disponibles y descubre programas diseñados para ayudarte a crecer, desarrollar nuevas habilidades y generar un impacto real.
  • BlueOval Battery Park Michigan

    BlueOval Battery Park Michigan

    Discover career opportunities at BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, America’s first automaker-backed LFP battery plant. We’re creating 1,700 new jobs to build the next generation of Ford electric vehicles, foster innovation, and strengthen our community.
  • Employees at Long Beach Ford office.

    Ford US

    Explore why Ford is America's most iconic company. Learn about our iconic history, innovative culture, and available roles across the U.S. and globally.
  • Ford career opportunities in Michigan.

    Life in Michigan

    Discover exciting career opportunities at Ford in Michigan, where history meets high-tech innovation. From our World Headquarters to iconic manufacturing hubs, join a global team shaping the future of mobility in the place where it all began.
  • Ford Designers showcase new technology on a clay inside the showroom after the announcement of a new Ford World Headquarters.

    Ford Design

    Explore rewarding design careers at Ford, where innovation meets customer-centric experiences. Join a global team in Dearborn, Shanghai, Melbourne, and more to create must-have products and iconic vehicles.
  • Ford human resources team.

    Human Resources

    Explore exciting HR career opportunities at Ford. Whether you're coaching leaders or shaping workforce strategies, Ford offers a dynamic environment where you can accelerate your career with an iconic brand.
  • Ford employees in India collaborating.

    Ford Business Solutions India

    Explore rewarding career opportunities at Ford Business Solutions, India. Join a global hub of technology and business services with over 12,000 employees. Whether you’re an expert in AI, digital marketing, or financial analysis, work on transformative projects that redefine industry boundaries.
  • Ford employee at Kansas City Assembly Plant.

    Kansas City Assembly Plant

    Join the team building America’s best-selling vehicles like the Ford F-150 and Ford Transit at Kansas City Assembly Plant (KCAP) in Claycomo, Missouri. From skilled trades and hourly production roles to salaried professional positions, KCAP offers comprehensive benefits and a pathway to build your own legacy.
  • Ford vehicle hardware engineering team shape's tomorrow's cars.

    Vehicle Hardware Engineering

    Build the future with Ford’s VHE team. Develop electric vehicles, driver-assist features, and smart mobility solutions. Join a global team of engineers shaping tomorrow’s cars.
  • Ford Argentina.

    Ford Argentina

    Discover a career at Ford Argentina, where over 100 years of legacy meets Manufacturing 4.0 innovation. Ford Argentina offers transformative opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, product development, and marketing. With programs designed for personal and professional growth, Ford empowers employees to thrive.
  • Ford Argentina

    Ford Argentina

    Súmate a equipos excepcionales que trabajan todos los días para definir el futuro de la movilidad. Descubre las oportunidades de carrera que Ford Argentina tiene para ti y sé parte de una compañía que combina tradición, innovación y visión de futuro.
  • Ford Brazil

    Ford Brazil

    Explore tech careers, internships, and training programs at Ford Brazil. Join a team driving innovation in connectivity, electrification, and community impact.
  • Ford Brazil

    Ford Brazil

    Explore carreiras em tecnologia, estágios e programas de treinamento na Ford Brasil. Junte-se a uma equipe que impulsiona a inovação em conectividade, eletrificação e impacto na comunidade.
  • Ford employees in the United Kingdom.

    Ford UK

    Discover rewarding career opportunities at Ford UK, the nation’s number one car and commercial vehicle manufacturer. Learn about our culture of innovation, community engagement, and well-being, and find jobs aligned with your skills and passions.

Jobs For You.

Explore roles tailored to your interests, based on your preferences and experience.

More Jobs

Be the first to know about new jobs.

SIGN UP FOR JOB ALERTS

Keep up on all the latest opportunities at Ford.

Interested InSelect a job category from the list of options. Search for a location and select one from the list of suggestions. Finally, click “Add” to create your job alert.

  • Enterprise Product Line Management, Dearborn, Michigan, United StatesRemove

By submitting your information, you acknowledge that you have read our privacy policy and consent to receive email communication from Ford.

Looking for jobs tailored to you?

Upload Your Resume