Freelance Automotive Functional Safety Engineer Jobs

Ford is strengthening its core Functional Safety capability to support the development of complex, software-enabled vehicle technologies. These technologies span motion control, brakes, steering, driveline, vehicle dynamics, active safety, driver assistance, infotainment, and related distributed systems.

The Functional Safety Engineer will be part of a Product Development team responsible for applying ISO 26262 principles, methods, and tools from concept through production. This role partners with technology subject matter experts and global engineering teams to develop clear, efficient, and scalable Functional Safety work products that help deliver safe, robust, and customer-focused vehicle systems.

• Collaborate with cross-functional and global Product Development teams to perform ISO 26262 Functional Safety analysis for new and carry-over vehicle technologies.
• Develop, maintain, and deliver Functional Safety work products, including safety analyses, ratings, concepts, requirements, and supporting documentation as applicable to the assigned system or feature scope.
• Work with subject matter experts in software, controls, systems, electrical/electronic architecture, hardware, and feature engineering to identify hazards, define safety requirements, and support safe system design decisions.
• Apply Ford Functional Safety processes, methods, tools, and training to ensure consistent execution and traceability of safety-related engineering activities.
• Use model-based systems engineering practices, including MBSE and SysML where appropriate, to improve clarity, reuse, integration, and efficiency of Functional Safety analysis.
• Support globally common safety ratings, methods, tools, and training materials to improve alignment and accelerate adoption across Ford engineering teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that simplify processes, strengthen technical quality, and improve delivery speed without compromising safety rigor.
• Communicate technical conclusions clearly through written documentation, reviews, and cross-functional discussions with engineering partners and leadership.

• Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 2+ years of experience engineering software-enabled, electrical/electronic, mechanical, systems, controls, or embedded vehicle systems.
• 2+ years experience with vehicle motion controls i.e. powertrain, steering controls, & brakes.
• 3+ years of experience reading, interpreting, and authoring technical requirements, specifications, or engineering documentation to support system-level analysis and traceability.
• 4+ years of experience applying systems engineering concepts (e.g., requirements decomposition, hazard/risk analysis, safety case development) within a cross-functional product development environment.

• Experience with ISO 26262, Functional Safety, hazard analysis, safety concepts, safety requirements, safety case development, or related safety engineering activities.
• Working knowledge of systems engineering, systems thinking, software fundamentals, electronic systems, controls, or hardware architecture.
• Experience using MBSE, SysML, requirements management, traceability, or engineering analysis tools.
• Demonstrated leadership through technical projects, professional experience, internships, research, student organizations, or cross-functional team activities.
• Interest in the automotive industry and in developing safe, innovative, and customer-focused vehicle technologies.
• Ability to simplify complex technical topics, drive alignment, and influence decisions through data, structured analysis, and clear communication.

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 7 and ranges from $99,600-$166,600.

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.

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 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.