Staff Embedded Controls Engineer, Thermal at Ford Motor Company

About Ford

Ford Motor Company stands at the forefront of automotive innovation, pioneering electric vehicles, autonomous driving technology, and sustainable mobility solutions. With a legacy spanning over 120 years, Ford continues to redefine the driving experience through cutting-edge engineering and customer-centric design. Our thermal systems team plays a pivotal role in delivering vehicles that perform flawlessly in every climate, from scorching deserts to freezing tundras. Join a company committed to excellence, where your expertise in embedded controls will shape the future of mobility.

Role Overview

As a Staff Embedded Controls Engineer, Thermal at Ford, you will architect sophisticated control frameworks that manage critical thermal systems across our vehicle portfolio. These systems ensure occupant comfort, maximize powertrain performance, and enable rapid battery charging under all weather conditions. Your work bridges advanced physics-based simulations with real-world implementation, balancing energy efficiency, cost, reliability, NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), and packaging constraints. Collaborate with mechanical engineers, aerodynamicists, battery experts, powertrain specialists, and electrical teams throughout the vehicle development lifecycle to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Your role demands precision and innovation in every task:

• Design, develop, and deploy embedded control algorithms for thermal management systems, including HVAC, battery thermal conditioning, and powertrain cooling.
• Integrate model-based controls using tools like MATLAB/Simulink and AutoSAR, translating simulations into production-ready code.
• Conduct rigorous testing, calibration, and validation on hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and vehicle-level platforms to ensure robustness across operating conditions.
• Optimize control strategies for trade-offs in performance, energy consumption, and system reliability, leveraging data-driven insights.
• Partner cross-functionally to influence system architecture from early concept through production launch.

Qualifications & Requirements

To excel in this position, you need:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in embedded controls engineering, preferably in automotive thermal or powertrain systems.
• Expertise in C/C++, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and model-based development tools (MATLAB/Simulink, Stateflow).
• Strong understanding of control theory, PID tuning, state-space modeling, and fault-tolerant controls.
• Experience with automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, FlexRay) and functional safety standards (ISO 26262).
• Proven ability to collaborate in agile, cross-disciplinary teams and drive results in fast-paced environments.

Preferred: Experience with machine learning for controls, electrified vehicle thermal systems, or high-performance computing.

Benefits & Perks

Ford offers a premium compensation package designed for top talent:

• Competitive base salary ranging from $120,000 to $175,000 annually, plus performance incentives and stock options.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and wellness programs.
• Generous 401(k) matching up to 6% and immediate vesting.
• Paid time off, parental leave, and flexible hybrid work models.
• Tuition assistance, certification reimbursements, and access to Ford's world-class training academies.
• Employee discounts on vehicles, exclusive perks, and community volunteer opportunities.

Career Growth

At Ford, your career trajectory is limitless. This staff-level role positions you for leadership in advanced engineering teams, with pathways to principal engineer, technical fellow, or program management. Benefit from mentorship programs, rotational assignments across EV, AV, and commercial vehicle divisions, and exposure to global projects. Ford's commitment to innovation means you'll work on bleeding-edge technologies like next-gen battery thermal management and AI-enhanced controls.

Why Join Us

Be part of a team that's engineering the vehicles of tomorrow. Ford's thermal controls group is at the heart of our electrification strategy, delivering systems that make EVs viable in extreme conditions. Enjoy a collaborative culture, state-of-the-art facilities, and the resources to innovate without bounds. Your contributions will directly impact millions of drivers worldwide, enhancing comfort, efficiency, and sustainability. Ford values diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering an environment where every engineer thrives.

Role FAQs

What is the work environment like?

A blend of office-based collaboration, lab testing, and on-vehicle validation, with hybrid flexibility.

Is relocation assistance provided?

Yes, comprehensive relocation support for eligible candidates.

What tools and technologies will I use?

Industry-leading stack including ETAS, dSPACE, Vector tools, Green Hills Integrity RTOS, and cloud-based simulation platforms.

How does this role contribute to Ford's EV goals?

Directly enables fast-charging capabilities and thermal preconditioning critical for battery longevity and performance.

What are the next career steps?

Progress to Senior Staff, Technical Lead, or specialization in autonomous thermal systems.

Ready to drive thermal innovation at Ford? Apply today and transform mobility.