RAE Software Engineer

Ford is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead development of core software infrastructure for next-generation Augmented Reality (AR) Head-Up Display (HUD) systems. This role focuses on low-level systems engineering, platform architecture, hardware and software integration, vehicle data ingestion, and real-time AR rendering pipelines. The engineer will work across the stack from vehicle interfaces and sensor inputs to rendering integration and system validation to help transition advanced prototypes toward production-intent systems.

What you’ll do…

• Design and develop low-level, high-performance C++ software supporting AR HUD pipelines, building and maintaining modular platform infrastructure enabling.
• Rendering pipelines, sensor/camera ingestion, and vehicle signal integration while debugging and optimizing memory for threading, and real-time performance constraints.
• Integrate platform software with real-time AR rendering stacks (e.g., Qt / OpenGL / Vulkan), supporting multi-view / autostereoscopic rendering pipelines while ensuring synchronization between rendering outputs and sensor inputs (eye tracking, cameras).
• Interface with vehicle data pipelines (CAN / Ethernet) to ingest ADAS signals, navigation / localization data, vehicle state information with LiDAR.
• Translate vehicle signals into real-time AR visualization inputs and support integration and debugging in vehicle and bench environments.
• Collaborate with lab and prototype teams to stabilize demo and test systems.
• Define and execute validation strategies for latency and timing behavior, sensor-to-render synchronization.
• Maintain stability under real-world conditions (thermal, vibration, sunlight) and identify and resolve system-level bottlenecks.
• Act as a technical owner across software + hardware boundaries working closely with Optics experts, the ADAS team, & Suppliers (e.g., display or camera vendors) to drive technical decisions, tradeoffs, and mitigate risk mitigation
• Leverage AI-assisted coding tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, LLM-based code assistants) to accelerate C++ development, refactoring, and unit test generation for performance-critical systems.
• Leverage 3D rendering engine coding experience (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, or custom rendering engines) to inform shader development, scene composition, and real-time rendering optimizations within the Qt/OpenGL/Vulkan AR HUD pipeline.

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 7+ years of experience in software engineering or equivalent demonstrable impact
• 7+ years of experience Strong expertise in C++ development for performance-critical systems
• 7+ years of experience with system-level programming (multi-threading, memory, IPC, etc.)
• 7+ years of experience integrating software with hardware systems or devices
• 7+ years of experience with end-to-end ownership of a complex software subsystem, including architectural definition and implementation.
• 7+ years of experience integrating software with hardware, sensors, cameras, vehicle systems, or embedded platforms.
• 7+ years of experience in work on latency-sensitive or real-time applications with an understanding of performance tradeoffs and constraints.

Even better, you may have…

• PhD in Computer Science or related field
• Experience with graphics or rendering systems (Qt, OpenGL, Vulkan)
• Exposure to AR/VR, HUDs, or display systems
• Experience with vehicle networks (CAN, Ethernet)
• Familiarity with ADAS data pipelines or perception systems
• Experience in prototype-to-production technology development environments
• Linux or UNIX system experience.
• Experience with real-time rendering pipelines, shader development, and GPU performance optimization in a shipped game or interactive entertainment product
• Experience shipping performance-critical, latency-sensitive software in consumer hardware environments (console, PC, or mobile), demonstrating comfort with hardware constraints similar to automotive embedded systems

4.04.0 out of 5 stars Dearborn, MI Hybrid work $115,000 - $192,900 a year - Full-time, Pulled from the full job description

• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Prescription drug insurance
• Parental leave
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Employee discount, 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.

At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation-grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.