Staff Hardware Validation Engineer

Job ID: 60037
Location: Palo Alto, 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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In this position...
In this high-impact role, you will define the validation strategy and technical roadmaps for complex mechatronic hardware across multiple vehicle product lines.
You will not only oversee the "bring-up" of sophisticated test environments but also influence the foundational design for testability (DFT) and reliability across the enterprise.

You will bridge the gap between mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering, ensuring that our hardware architectures are robust, scalable, and validated to the highest rigorous standards.

What you'll do...

• Lead the development of validation requirements and DVP&R strategies that span multiple product lines, ensuring consistency and technical excellence across different mechanical-electrical modules.
• Define and approve complex test specifications, including high-fidelity pass/fail criteria, to ensure long-term reliability in diverse global environments.

• Lead architectural design of scalable test platforms that can be leveraged across multiple hardware variants to increase testing efficiency.
• Spearhead bring-up of high-complexity test stations. Act as the primary technical escalations point for the most challenging hardware/software integration issues.

• Partner with hardware design teams at the architecture phase to influence PCB and mechanical designs, ensuring systems are designed for test (DFT) and manufacturing (DFM), optimized for validation and end-of-line production testing.
• Performing failure mode analysis with advanced detailed analysis tools to drive root cause diagnosis.

• Direct the technical requirements for external Tier 1 suppliers and independent test labs to ensure outsourced validation meets Ford’s stringent internal benchmarks.
• Managing vendors to implement validation tools, plans and infrastructure

• Business travel (up to 20% domestic and international travel) to support product development is required

You'll have...

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

• 5+ years of experience in hardware validation, mechatronic system design, or product development.
• 5+ years of experience in test equipment architecture, including the design of custom electrical/mechanical test rigs and automated stations.
• Proven track record of defining test limits and pass/fail criteria for high-reliability hardware.
• Experience leading technical projects that span multiple product families or global platforms.

Even better, you may have...
• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Expert-level proficiency in automated test frameworks (Python, LabVIEW, or C++) and hardware communication protocols (Automotive Ethernet, CAN-FD, PCIe).
• Deep understanding of ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), ISO 16750 (Environmental Testing), and EMC/EMI compliance standards.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and correlating physical test data with virtual simulations.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to distill complex technical risks for executive leadership.

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 $146,520-276,600.

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-SE1 #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.

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.

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Staff Hardware Validation Engineer

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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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