Technical Specialist - NetCom Hardware
Core
Senior hands-on individual contributor responsible for the technical direction, electrical robustness, and production readiness of Ford's in-vehicle network hardware.
Role type
Senior IC automotive network hardware engineer
Builds
In-vehicle communication systems (CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet, SerDes) for Ford vehicles
Domain
Automotive electronics and high-speed digital hardware
Required skills
High-speed digital and mixed-signal design, Signal integrity analysis, PCB layout and design, Transceiver selection and qualification, EMC/EMI testing and compliance, Supplier technical management, Requirements authoring and validation, Technical review leadership, Mentoring engineers, Complex problem investigation
Preferred skills
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, 15+ years automotive hardware experience, Expertise in 10BASE-T1S/100/1000BASE-T1/Multi-Gigabit Ethernet/GMSL/FPD-Link, Transmission-line theory and S-parameters, Proficiency with oscilloscopes and vector network analyzers
Technologies
CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet, SerDes, GMSL, FPD-Link, 10BASE-T1S, 100/1000BASE-T1, Multi-Gigabit Ethernet, ISO 7637, CISPR 25, FMC1278
Responsibilities
Establish technical direction for in-vehicle networks hardware including CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet, SerDes, GMSL, FPD-Link, and emerging technologies. Provide guidance on transceiver selection, circuit implementation, termination, protection components, grounding, PCB layout, connectors, cables, and wiring topologies. Act as the technical escalation point for significant NetCom hardware decisions and issues. Author, own, interpret, and improve Ford NetCom hardware requirements, specifications, design rules, and validation methods. Lead technical design reviews for high-risk and complex network-hardware designs. Lead signal-integrity analysis of complete in-vehicle communication channels. Guide simulation, laboratory testing, and vehicle-level correlation to evaluate signal integrity, EMC, electrical robustness, and design margin. Develop custom test hardware, breakout devices, fixtures, harnesses, models, and measurement methods. Lead the technical assessment and qualification of transceivers, protection devices, connectors, cables, and other network components. Serve as the technical lead for critical NetCom hardware issues during prototype development, launch, production, and post-launch quality support. Identify, evaluate, and guide the production introduction of next-generation communication technologies. Provide technical direction to semiconductor, module, connector, cable, and test-equipment suppliers. Evaluate supplier designs, test methods, technical evidence, and proposed corrective actions. Collaborate with industry standards organizations and technical committees to reduce cost and improve interoperability, network robustness, and test efficiency. Mentor engineers in network physical layers, circuit design, signal integrity, EMC, laboratory methods, requirements, and technical decision-making.
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC