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…