Senior Embedded Platform Engineer – Bootloader

Ford Motor Company

. Lead the design, development, testing, and maintenance of secure, high-performance bootloaders for Ford’s next-generation electric vehicles .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timePalo Alto • California • United StatesSenior💰 $221,374 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in bootloader design and development for embedded systems, with a strong focus on security, compliance with industry standards, and automotive communication protocols. Proficient in delivering high-quality C code and implementing secure software updates in complex vehicle architectures.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Bootloader DesignC/C++ ProgrammingAutomotive Communication ProtocolsOver-The-Air (OTA) UpdatesEmbedded Software Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Bootloader DesignC/C++ ProgrammingEmbedded System DevelopmentLow-Level Software DevelopmentSecure Software UpdatesDriver Bring-UpRTOS IntegrationTesting and ValidationCode OptimizationSystem Debugging

Soft Skills

Technical GuidanceMentorshipCollaborationCommunication

Tools & Technologies

Vector CANoeNXP Design StudioGitJIRA

Industry Keywords

Automotive EngineeringCybersecurityIndustry StandardsDiagnostic ProtocolsNetwork Protocols

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber SecurityRTOSC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the design, development, testing, and maintenance of secure, high-performance bootloaders for Ford’s next-generation electric vehicles
Define bootloader architecture and interfaces for multiple ECUs using various microprocessors
Resolve ambiguity in requirements, specifications, and designs
Provide technical guidance and mentorship related to security, bootloaders, and software updates
Design safe, secure, portable code that scales across new ECUs and hardware platforms
Implement secure boot and secure software updates for complex networked vehicle architectures
Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices
Develop comprehensive test plans and perform testing to validate functionality, reliability, and performance
Monitor industry trends and regulatory requirements related to cybersecurity
Perform hardware bring-up, low-level software development, system debugging, and code optimization
Collaborate on and communicate complex technical concepts
Deliver high-quality C code in a real-time embedded environment

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering or a related field
3 years of experience in the job offered or a related occupation
3 years of experience programming in C/C++ for embedded system development
3 years of experience working in an automotive engineering environment, with direct exposure to industry-specific standards, constraints, and development cycles
2 years of experience with automotive communication protocols, including CAN, CAN FD, Ethernet, and DoIP
2 years of experience with diagnostic and network protocols including UDS (ISO 14229), CAN, DoIP (ISO 13400), and LIN
2 years of experience with Over-The-Air (OTA) update mechanisms, including secure firmware deployment and rollback strategies
2 years of experience with low-level embedded software development, including bootloader design, driver bring-up, and RTOS integration
2 years of experience using Vector CANoe, NXP Design Studio, Git, and JIRA for development and validation
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10%

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care 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
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