Staff Motor Controls Engineer

Job ID: 71791
Location: Long Beach, California
Category: PD Operations and Quality

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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

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The drive-inverter controls engineer will develop advanced control algorithms for automotive traction inverter systems to optimize reliability, performance, efficiency, and cost. Further, algorithms to monitor and manage the state of system components are developed to ensure safe operation of the assets and guarantee the desired durability of all components. In general, it is expected that the motor controls engineer will stay informed about industry trends, support validation and testing activities, and contribute to technology roadmaps and customer-facing attributes.

What you'll do...

•    Develop and implement control algorithms for automotive traction inverter systems, ensuring reliability, safety, optimal performance and efficiency.
•    Develop and implement controls algorithms to monitor and diagnose the state of system components.
•    Develop firmware for the traction inverter and power electronic systems. Firmware will be enabled to support continuous improvements and optimizations for high-volume applications through over-the-air (OTA) updates.
•    Develop control system simulations to verify algorithms.
•    Participate in inverter hardware selection and optimization for durability, efficiency, and performance.
•    Develop block and system diagrams to showcase interactions between subsystems.
•    Develop, analyze and interpret system requirements and develop technical specifications for control system components, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations, and correlated analytical models.
•    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate control strategies with hardware and software components and validate system functionality through simulation and testing.
•    Identify and track key system decisions that establish technology roadmaps and customer facing attributes.
•    Utilize necessary tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and frequency response analyzers to bring-up and test controls on target hardware.
•    Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis efforts to identify and resolve control system-related issues and implement corrective actions to improve system performance and reliability.
•    Stay current with industry trends and advancements in control theory, power electronics, and automotive technologies, and apply this knowledge to enhance control system designs and functionalities.
•    Support the development of validation and verification plans.
•    Participate in testing and validation activities to ensure control system performance and safety requirements are met.

You'll have...
•    Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics Degree or similar degree
•    10+ years of experience designing, developing, and releasing products.
•    Sound knowledge of power electronics and control theory.
•    Experience coding control algorithms and inverter applications in embedded C.
•    Experience designing and optimizing controls for motor inverters, chargers, DCDCs, or similar mass-produced automotive grade power electronic products.
•    Hands-on experience building, optimizing, and launching motor control systems using induction motors and/or PMSMs for traction control
•    Strong power electronics and digital controls background, particularly in motor drive applications, DCDC, and/or chargers.
•    Experience in modeling control systems using MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS or similar.
•    Hands-on experience building and launching automotive products and prototyping powertrain systems.
•    Ability to read and interpret component datasheets, PCB schematics and layout design.

Even better, you may have...
•    PhD degree in engineering
•    Knowledge of fault tolerant machine topologies and optimization of inverters for sensorless control.
•    Deep understanding of sensorless controls techniques.
•    Experience with Microsoft Office, Confluence, and Jira applications.
•    Experience with instrumentation and measurement of powertrain systems in a lab environment.
•    Experience using git or similar version control system.
•    An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment where you are part of a high performing team.
•    A systems approach to design and development with the desire and curiosity to strive for exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement.

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 6 and ranges from $150,200-$283,500.
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/LL6

Visa sponsorship is 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.

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-MZ1 #UEV

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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.

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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.

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Staff Motor Controls Engineer

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Looking for jobs tailored to you?

Change the world with your ideas.

Support designed to go the distance.

Health and Wellness

Financial and Retirement Programs

Flexible Vacation and Holidays

Vehicle Discount Program

Family Growth and Support

Additional Programs

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