Systems Engineer - Integration at Ford Global Career Site

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Systems Engineer - Integration
Company: Ford
Location: Palo Alto, California, United States
Job Type: Full time
Category: DevOps Engineer
Date Posted: 2025-08-01

🚀 Role Summary

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on backend systems development for manufacturing applications, driving Ford's transformation into a Virtual First, Connected Factory.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate backend systems into Ford's digital twin, empowering operators and engineers with real-time insights.
Build scalable APIs and data processing layers for real-time factory orchestration, aiming to improve safety, efficiency, and throughput in global factories.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities revolve around backend systems development, API creation, data processing, and real-time insights integration for manufacturing applications.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires strong collaboration skills to work effectively with app, data, and hardware teams, contributing to Ford's diagnostics platforms and digital twin initiatives.
Create robust backend systems to support manufacturing applications, driving defect reduction, throughput improvements, and safety in global factories.
Build scalable APIs and data processing layers for real-time factory orchestration, enabling Ford's transformation into a Virtual First, Connected Factory.
Collaborate with app, data, and hardware teams to integrate backend systems into Ford's digital twin, empowering operators and engineers with real-time insights.
Support real-time insights for operator decision-making and automation, making the operator's life better while building safer, smarter, and more efficient plants worldwide.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in backend systems development, API creation, and data processing for manufacturing or related industries.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in backend development languages (e.g., Java, Python, Node.js)
Strong understanding of API design and development (e.g., REST, GraphQL)
Experience with data processing frameworks (e.g., Apache Kafka, Apache Spark)
Familiarity with real-time insights and data analytics tools
Excellent collaboration and communication skills
Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail

Preferred Skills:

Experience with manufacturing applications and processes
Familiarity with Ford's digital twin and diagnostics platforms
Knowledge of embedded systems and connected hardware
Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate your proficiency in backend systems development, API creation, and data processing through relevant projects in your portfolio.
Showcase your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams by highlighting projects where you worked with app, data, or hardware teams to achieve common goals.
Include examples of real-time insights integration and operator decision-making support in your manufacturing applications.

Technical Documentation:

Provide clear and concise documentation for your backend systems, APIs, and data processing layers, explaining their functionality, inputs, outputs, and any relevant assumptions.
Include any relevant testing methodologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques used in your projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $150,000 per year (Based on market research for a Systems Engineer - Integration role in Palo Alto, California)

Benefits:

Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
Retirement savings plans with company matching
Paid time off and holidays
Employee discounts on Ford vehicles and services
Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities
Work-life balance initiatives and wellness programs

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard working hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional overtime may be required to support project deadlines and maintenance windows.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Ford operates in the automotive industry, with a strong focus on manufacturing, technology, and innovation. As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you will play a crucial role in Ford's transformation into a Virtual First, Connected Factory.

Company Size: Ford is a large, multinational corporation with over 180,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse teams and projects.

Founded: Ford was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford. The company has a rich history of innovation and has been at the forefront of the automotive industry for over a century.

Team Structure:

The Digital Manufacturing Systems (DMS) team operates at the intersection of advanced software, embedded systems, connected hardware, and real-time insights.
The team consists of software engineers, data scientists, hardware engineers, and other specialists who collaborate to build Ford's digital factory of the future.
As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you will work closely with app, data, and hardware teams to integrate backend systems into Ford's digital twin.

Development Methodology:

Ford employs Agile methodologies, such as Scrum, to manage its software development projects.
The company emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and rapid iteration to deliver high-quality products and services.
As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you will participate in sprint planning, code reviews, testing, and quality assurance processes to ensure the delivery of robust backend systems and APIs.

Company Website: www.ford.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is an intermediate-level position, requiring 2-5 years of experience in backend systems development, API creation, and data processing. As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you will have the opportunity to grow your technical skills and take on more complex projects as you gain experience.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Digital Manufacturing Systems (DMS) team lead, who oversees the development of Ford's digital factory of the future. You will work closely with app, data, and hardware teams to integrate backend systems into Ford's digital twin.

Technical Impact: As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you will have a significant impact on Ford's manufacturing processes by creating robust backend systems, building scalable APIs, and supporting real-time insights for operator decision-making. Your work will contribute to Ford's transformation into a Virtual First, Connected Factory, empowering operators and engineers with advanced software tools and real-time data.

Growth Opportunities:

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford offers numerous opportunities for career growth and professional development, including tuition assistance, mentorship programs, and internal job postings.
📝 Enhancement Note: As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you may have the opportunity to specialize in specific areas, such as real-time insights, data analytics, or embedded systems, depending on your interests and the company's needs.
📝 Enhancement Note: With experience and strong performance, you may advance to senior roles within the DMS team or take on leadership positions within Ford's broader technology organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Ford's Palo Alto office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity. The office features open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, and breakout areas equipped with the latest technology.

Office Location(s): Palo Alto, California, United States

Workspace Context:

📝 Enhancement Note: The Palo Alto office offers a flexible work environment, with opportunities for remote work and on-site collaboration.
The office is equipped with state-of-the-art development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices to support backend systems development, API creation, and data processing tasks.
Ford encourages cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing, providing opportunities to work with app, data, and hardware teams on integrated projects.

Work Schedule: Full-time position with standard working hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional overtime may be required to support project deadlines and maintenance windows. Ford offers flexible work arrangements, such as remote work and part-time schedules, depending on the role and team needs.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will likely include a combination of phone screens, technical assessments, and on-site interviews to evaluate your backend systems development, API creation, and data processing skills, as well as your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process may also include a case study or project assessment to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and attention to detail in a real-world manufacturing scenario.

Portfolio Review Tips:

📝 Enhancement Note: When preparing your portfolio for this role, focus on projects that demonstrate your proficiency in backend systems development, API creation, and data processing for manufacturing or related industries.
Highlight your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams by including examples of integrated projects where you worked with app, data, or hardware teams to achieve common goals.
Include examples of real-time insights integration and operator decision-making support in your manufacturing applications to showcase your understanding of Ford's digital twin and diagnostics platforms.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare for technical challenges by brushing up on your backend development languages, API design and development, and data processing frameworks. Familiarize yourself with real-time insights and data analytics tools to demonstrate your understanding of Ford's digital twin and diagnostics platforms.
Practice problem-solving exercises and coding challenges to hone your skills and build confidence in your abilities.

ATS Keywords:

Backend Systems
API Development
Data Processing
Real-Time Insights
Manufacturing Applications
Safety
Throughput Improvements
Defect Reduction
Collaboration
Diagnostics Platforms
Digital Twin
Software-Defined Manufacturing
Connected Hardware
Embedded Systems
Cloud Platforms
CI/CD Pipelines
DevOps Practices

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Backend & Server Technologies:

Proficiency in backend development languages such as Java, Python, or Node.js is required for this role.
Experience with data processing frameworks such as Apache Kafka or Apache Spark is preferred.
Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP is a plus.

Development & DevOps Tools:

Familiarity with version control systems such as Git is required for this role.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment is preferred.
Knowledge of containerization and orchestration tools such as Docker and Kubernetes is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role may evolve over time as Ford continues to invest in emerging technologies and best practices for backend systems development, API creation, and data processing.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford's web development values emphasize collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you will be expected to work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate backend systems into Ford's digital twin, empowering operators and engineers with real-time insights.
Ford values a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and respect, fostering an environment where all team members can thrive and contribute to the company's success.

Collaboration Style:

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford encourages a collaborative work environment, with a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning. As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you will work closely with app, data, and hardware teams to integrate backend systems into Ford's digital twin, driving defect reduction, throughput improvements, and safety in global factories.
Ford values a culture of open communication, active listening, and constructive feedback, enabling team members to grow and develop their skills over time.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

📝 Enhancement Note: As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you will face technical challenges related to backend systems development, API creation, and data processing for manufacturing applications. Some of these challenges may include:
Scaling backend systems to support real-time factory orchestration and operator decision-making.
Integrating backend systems with Ford's digital twin and diagnostics platforms.
Ensuring the security, reliability, and performance of backend systems and APIs in a global manufacturing environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

📝 Enhancement Note: Ford offers numerous opportunities for learning and development, including tuition assistance, mentorship programs, and internal job postings. As a Systems Engineer - Integration, you may have the opportunity to specialize in specific areas, such as real-time insights, data analytics, or embedded systems, depending on your interests and the company's needs.
Ford encourages continuous learning and professional development, providing resources and support to help team members stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices in backend systems development, API creation, and data processing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare for technical questions related to backend systems development, API creation, and data processing for manufacturing applications. Some sample questions may include:
Can you describe your experience with backend systems development and API creation for manufacturing or related industries?
How have you ensured the security, reliability, and performance of backend systems and APIs in a global manufacturing environment?
Can you walk us through a complex backend systems development project, explaining the challenges you faced and how you overcame them?

Company & Culture Questions:

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare for questions related to Ford's company culture, values, and mission. Some sample questions may include:
How do you see yourself contributing to Ford's transformation into a Virtual First, Connected Factory?
Can you describe a time when you worked collaboratively with cross-functional teams to achieve a common goal?
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices in backend systems development, API creation, and data processing?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

📝 Enhancement Note: When preparing your portfolio for this role, focus on projects that demonstrate your proficiency in backend systems development, API creation, and data processing for manufacturing or related industries.
Highlight your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams by including examples of integrated projects where you worked with app, data, or hardware teams to achieve common goals.
Include examples of real-time insights integration and operator decision-making support in your manufacturing applications to showcase your understanding of Ford's digital twin and diagnostics platforms.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Systems Engineer - Integration position at Ford:

Submit your application through the Ford careers website.
Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight your backend systems development, API creation, and data processing skills, as well as your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your backend development languages, API design and development, and data processing frameworks. Familiarize yourself with real-time insights and data analytics tools to demonstrate your understanding of Ford's digital twin and diagnostics platforms.
Research Ford's company culture, values, and mission to ensure a strong fit with the organization's goals and objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Systems Engineer - Integration