Software Engineering Manager, Robotics

Shape the Future of Manufacturing with ATP

At Ford, we aren’t just building vehicles — we are redefining how the world moves. Within the Advanced Industrial Technology and Platforms (ATP) organization, we are the architects of Ford’s next industrial revolution.

Our mission is clear: we build and scale industrial platforms, technologies, and capabilities that unlock Ford Firsts to drive sustained competitive advantage in manufacturing. Driven by our vision to "build once, scale everywhere," we bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and global physical deployment.

Our guiding mantra is simple yet relentless: Scale what matters, win what's next.

If you are a high-tech builder, thinker, or innovator who thrives at the intersection of software, hardware, and massive scale, ATP is where you belong. Join us and write the next chapter of industrial history.

Ford's Advanced Technology & Platforms organization is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead and grow a global robotics software engineering team. The team develops the application software used on a range of robot types, including mobile robots, manipulators and humanoid systems.

The software must support robots with different physical configurations and capabilities while reusing common components wherever practical. This role will guide that development, establish delivery plans and ensure the software is tested and ready for use on physical robots.

The Engineering Manager will be responsible for team leadership, software delivery and technical execution. The role includes hiring and coaching engineers, setting priorities, coordinating work across teams and contributing to technical reviews. The manager will work closely with robotics architecture, hardware, simulation, platform and testing teams.

Lead software development and delivery

• Lead development of the software application stack used across Ford's advanced robotics programs
• Define delivery plans, milestones, responsibilities and dependencies
• Support reuse of common software components across different robot platforms
• Oversee software for robot description and kinematics, device integration, navigation, manipulation, simulation and system bring-up
• Establish software quality, testing and release practices
• Track progress, manage risks and communicate issues with proposed actions

Lead and grow a global team

• Lead, coach and develop a globally distributed robotics software engineering team
• Hire engineers as the team and project portfolio grow
• Set clear goals, responsibilities and expectations
• Support professional development and build technical leadership within the team
• Maintain regular communication and effective working practices across locations and time zones
• Participate in code reviews, design reviews and technical problem solving as needed

Work across engineering teams

• Turn technical direction into practical engineering plans
• Coordinate software interfaces with robotics platform, data and infrastructure teams
• Partner with hardware teams on robot builds and system integration
• Work with simulation and testing teams to validate software before deployment
• Provide clear status updates and raise risks early

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical background
• Hands-on robotics software experience, including ROS 2, navigation software, robot models and kinematics, and device drivers
• Strong C++ and Python skills
• At least 3 years of experience managing software engineers
• Experience delivering software for physical robots
• Experience developing software used across more than one robot platform or hardware configuration
• Experience hiring, coaching and developing software engineers
• Experience leading distributed engineering teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience creating and delivering engineering plans with milestones, owners and dates
• Ability to work effectively with technical leaders and partner engineering teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS in Computer Science, Robotics, or Electrical Engineering

• Humanoid, mobile manipulator, or legged platform experience
• Simulation-driven development: Isaac Sim, Gazebo, MuJoCo, or equivalent – including sim-first bring-up and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Experience with behavior trees, state machines or task planning software
• Experience developing shared software platforms used by multiple products
• Experience working with international engineering teams
• Familiarity with technology or manufacturing readiness processes
• Experience with software updates, configuration management and version control for deployed robot fleets
• Safety-relevant or regulated software development

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
• Paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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
• Generous vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day

This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $132,800-$250,800.
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.
Internal applicants: moving into this role may result in an adjustment to your current compensation based on the posted pay range for this role, taking into consideration your qualifications and other relevant factors.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6

Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Domestic relocation 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.