Freelance Automotive Embedded Systems Jobs in Arizona

The company is seeking a highly capable and self-directed Vehicle Software Integration & Test Engineer to lead vehicle-level software integration, validation, and development operations across embedded domains, including chassis, body, thermal systems, and more. This role is critical to maintaining software quality through in-vehicle testing and ensuring the operational readiness of the development fleet.
The engineer will collaborate with software, calibration, integration, and test engineering teams to plan, execute, and debug vehicle-level test campaigns. The role involves independently driving day-to-day development activities and traveling to proving grounds and other company test sites for seasonal validation efforts and major release milestones.
Responsibilities
What you'll do...
Test Planning and Execution
• Lead and execute vehicle-level test plans for pre-merge and post-merge software releases across multiple domains, including chassis/motion controls, body systems, and thermal management.
• Design and perform in-vehicle tests, including ride-and-handling evaluations, stability assessments, and performance tuning, using data-acquisition and analysis tools.
• Contribute to creating and improving vehicle-level test processes, test plans, and validation workflows.
• Develop and implement repeatable test procedures for vehicle-level software features and attributes.
• Operate and evaluate vehicles on structured and exploratory test routes to validate embedded feature behavior and performance.
• Maintain the readiness of the prototype fleet for daily testing, demonstrations, and development activities.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to define test requirements, methods, and success criteria.
• Analyze and interpret data from vehicle testing, providing insights to support engineering development and the tuning of control systems.
• Document testing procedures, results, modifications, and software issues with clear context, reproduction steps, and logs using task/bug tracking tools (e.g., Jira).
• Provide detailed feedback on vehicle behavior and support root-cause investigations.
Software and Systems Integration
• Support the installation, validation, and troubleshooting of new ECUs and software builds.
• Perform vehicle bring-up tasks, including retrofitting new hardware and ECUs, flashing, and wiring harness checkout.
• Lead vehicle readies, including software flashing, configuration setup, and instrumentation installation.
• Debug complex software/hardware integration issues across various domains, including chassis controls, body, thermals, and infotainment.
• Collect, analyze, and report CAN/LIN/Ethernet logs to identify root causes and assist engineering teams.
• Support the setup and configuration of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) benches, including integration of chassis control modules for simulation and testing.
• Travel to various testing locations, proving grounds, and company test sites to support vehicle setup, operation, data collection, and seasonal validation efforts.
• Show willingness to support irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed for prototype operations and test campaigns.
Qualifications
You'll have...
• Bachelor's degree in Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field; or equivalent hands-on technical experience.
• 3+ years of experience in vehicle-level software validation, systems integration, prototype vehicle operations, or automotive technician work.
• Strong working knowledge of automotive embedded systems, including chassis control ECUs, body modules, thermal management, braking, steering, and powertrain.
• Experience supporting vehicle bring-up, calibration loops, or multi-domain integration testing.
• Comfortable with ECU flashing, calibration updates, and electrical troubleshooting.
• Strong proficiency with CAN tools and software for diagnostic interfaces, and log analysis for embedded systems such as CANalyzer, CANape, CANoe, Intrepid CS tools, and MATLAB.
• Hands-on experience with vehicle dynamics concepts and testing methods, including ride and handling evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate development vehicles safely and confidently in a test environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Willingness to travel for test trips and support off-site builds and test campaigns as required.
Even better you may have...
• Experience with EV platforms and modern vehicle software architecture.
• Accredited proving ground driver training or experience with at-limit driving.
• Experience with HIL systems and vehicle simulation environments.
• Hands-on skills with wiring, sensors, and harnesses in a prototype environment.
• Familiarity with Python scripting or automation tools for data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of functional safety principles (ISO 26262)
• Familiarity with software release tools and test case management systems.
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 salary grade 8 and ranges from $115,000-$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: https://fordcareers.co/GSR
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. 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
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