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Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in California

Senior Software Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$166K - $178K/yr

Senior Software Engineer (Embedded Firmware & Connected Vehicles) Role Overview We are seeking an ... in automotive cybersecurity (HSM, Secure Boot) and hardware testing/debugging utilizing HIL test ...

Showing results 21-40

Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer information

See California salary details

$40K

$121.3K

$177.6K

How much do automotive cybersecurity engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive cybersecurity engineer in California is $121,280.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,700.00 and $140,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an automotive cybersecurity engineer?

An Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer is responsible for securing a vehicle’s electronic systems, networks, and software from cyber threats. They assess risks, implement security measures, and ensure compliance with industry standards like ISO/SAE 21434. Their role involves working closely with software developers, hardware engineers, and security analysts to protect vehicles from hacking, data breaches, and other cyber threats. They also conduct vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and develop secure coding practices. This role is critical in the era of connected and autonomous vehicles.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an automotive cybersecurity engineer?

As an Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer, your daily activities often involve conducting threat assessments, performing vulnerability analysis on automotive systems, and collaborating with design teams to integrate security measures into vehicles. You may also be responsible for developing and testing intrusion detection systems, participating in code reviews, and ensuring compliance with industry safety standards. Regularly communicating findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders is a key part of the role. Additionally, you may take part in incident response activities and stay up to date with emerging threats, helping to continuously improve the organization's security posture.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive cybersecurity engineer?

To thrive as an Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science, network security, embedded systems, and automotive communication protocols, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with tools such as CAN bus analyzers, intrusion detection systems, penetration testing frameworks, and certifications like CISSP, CEH, or industry-specific credentials (e.g., AUTOSAR, ISO/SAE 21434) is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and clear communication are critical soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams. These skills are essential to protect modern vehicles from cybersecurity threats and ensure compliance with industry standards.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,280 per year, or $58.3 per hour.

Staff Diagnostics and Embedded Cyber Security Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Palo Alto, CA • Hybrid

$150K - $283K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Contribute to designing and developing software for vehicle microcontroller systems, focusing on features like vehicle access, networking, and power management.

  • Collaborate with hardware, systems, and integration teams to define, design, and develop complex features for Ford Electric Vehicles.

  • Troubleshoot and develop embedded systems software using programming languages such as C, C++, and Python.


Ford Motor Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 527 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 45 rated automakers


Job description

We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.


Ford's Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company's vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You'll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

In this position...
Ford Model E Platform Architecture Engineering is looking for a Staff Diagnostics and Embedded Cyber Security Engineer to be part of the microcontroller which is designing the software stack from ground up to enable a best in class vehicle infotainment platform using the latest technologies. You will be contributing to key features like vehicle access, networking and power management for highly complex systems across various domains to improve performance as well as the user experience for Ford customers.

You'll have...

B.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
10+ years proven working experience in software engineering.
Experience in hands-on development and troubleshooting of embedded systems.
Programming experience in C, C++ and Python.
Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS), Linux and building concurrent systems.
Strong documentation, writing, and communications skills.
Must be willing to learn and dive into unknown areas.

Even better, you may have...
M.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
Experience with automotive networks like CAN, LIN, automotive Ethernet
Experience with wireless networks like BLE, UWB, NFC and WiFi.
Experience in automotive systems and applications.
Familiarity with Vector and Intrepid tools
Familiarity with MISRA, AutoSAR and functional safety (ISO 26262)
Experience negotiating with hardware and or software vendors
Experience with Yocto Linux

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 $150,200-$283,500.
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: 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 with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-JD2 #UEV

What you'll do...

Define, design and develop complex features with multiple stakeholders for the next generation of Ford Electric Vehicles.
Collaborate with the Hardware, Systems and Integration teams to develop requirements and functional test cases for features including CI/CD tests when possible.
Lead the effort to diagnose and improve existing features to enhance the Ford customer experience.
Collaborate with teams across software, hardware, integration, UI/UX and others to drive innovation and tackle any issues that arise throughout the product development cycle.
Develop tooling as well as diagnostic and other interfaces between various vehicle access components.
Integrate the software and feature into the controller's codebase.
Use data driven analysis tools to verify and diagnose vehicle software in the field.


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