Perception Systems Engineer

  • Ford
  • Dearborn, Michigan
  • Full Time

Do you have what it takes to make smart vehicles for a smart world? Join the Ford Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) team! Utilizing Design Thinking and User Experience methods, you will work to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We are seeking forward-thinking, laser-focused professionals with a passion for bringing innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life.

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Systems Engineer to join our team and play a key role in designing, defining requirements, and creating analysis and testing methodologies for our Near-Field Perception Systems. These systems can leverage vision, radar, ultrasonic and other technologies to help enable our products to sense the world. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the safety, convenience, and robustness of future Ford vehicles.

RESPONSIBILITIES

What you'll do...

  • Lead the decomposition of functions and architecture for Near Field Perception Systems, aligning with Feature System Engineers to ensure coverage and completeness

  • Translate feature-level requirements into specific sensing system performance expectations.

  • Define and establish comprehensive performance requirements and metrics for the Neir-Field Perception System, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the system including availability, accuracy, and false positive rates.

  • Evaluate and optimize a variety of perception data pipelines including those utilizing ultrasonic based sensing.

  • Work with vendors to measure system sensitivity to numerous factors including vehicle characteristics (e.g., sensor packaging) and environmental conditions.

  • Design validation strategies to quantify system robustness against interacting noise factors for both platform and application sign-off

  • Own Failure Mode Analysis actions for Near Field Perception, including authoring DFMEAs, Permanent Corrective Actions, and Systemic Prevent Recurrence.

  • Explore and propose system architecture modifications to decrease application sensitivity.

  • Partner with vendors and our hardware team to refine sensor packaging requirements.

  • Perform root cause analysis with cross-functional teams on current generation systems.

QUALIFICATIONS

You'll have...

  • Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

  • 5+ years of experience as a systems engineer, including authoring functional & performance requirements in the automotive, aerospace, defense, or related industry

  • 3+ years of experience working on projects leveraging Near Field Perception solutions

  • Deep understanding of the physical principles & limitations of Ultrasonic Sensors

  • Knowledge of probabilistic filtering (e.g., Kalman Filters, Particle Filters) and spatial mapping techniques like Occupancy Grid Mapping

  • Proficiency using Requirements Management tools such as DOORS, JAMA, or Polarion

  • Proficiency in statistical analysis and experimental design

  • Strong communication skills and ability to lead ad-hoc teams

Even better, you may have...

  • Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

  • 7+ years of experience as a systems engineer

  • 5+ years of experience delivering production hardware/embedded software

  • 7+ years of experience with ADAS perception systems

  • Familiarity with Functional Safety (ISO26262), SOTIF, and ASPICE standards

  • 3+ years of experience with systems modeling and/or requirements management tools (SysML/MagicDraw, Polarion, JAMA, DOORS, etc.) and Failure Mode Analysis techniques

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 builderor 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 Years Day

Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a range of salary grades 7-8 and ranges from $99,600-$192,900.

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:

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 ....

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-MG3

Job ID: 523242692
Originally Posted on: 6/1/2026

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