Principal Technical Specialist - Vehicle & Connected Cyber Security

Reporting to the Senior Director of Vehicle and Connected Cybersecurity, this position plays a critical role in shaping cybersecurity architecture, influencing platform decisions, mentoring technical teams, and representing the organization with regulatory authorities, business partners, and industry forums.Technical Leadership & StrategyAct as the principal technical authority for vehicle, embedded, and connected cybersecurity across all vehicle programs and platforms.Define and evolve cybersecurity architectures and technical standards for ECUs, in-vehicle networks, OTA, cloud backends, mobile apps, and V2X ecosystems.Provide expert guidance on secure-by-design principles and emerging threats affecting automotive and connected systems.Product & Engineering EngagementPartner with vehicle, software, and systems engineering teams to integrate cybersecurity requirements throughout the product development lifecycle.Lead or support threat modeling, risk assessments, and security architecture reviews for vehicle platforms and connected services.Influence design decisions to balance security, safety, performance, cost, and customer experience.Governance, Risk & ComplianceSupport compliance with automotive cybersecurity standards and regulations (e.g., ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155/R156, NIST).Provide technical input for cybersecurity policies, processes, and audit readiness.Advise leadership on cybersecurity risk posture, residual risks, and mitigation strategies.Incident Response & Vulnerability ManagementServe as a senior technical advisor during cybersecurity incidents affecting vehicles or connected services.Guide root cause analysis, remediation strategies, and long-term corrective actions.Oversee vulnerability disclosure, penetration testing findings, and coordinated response activities.Industry & External EngagementRepresent the company in industry working groups, standards bodies, and technical forums.Engage with suppliers and technology partners to assess cybersecurity capabilities and risks.Monitor emerging threats, technologies, and regulatory trends impacting automotive cybersecurity.Mentorship & Knowledge DevelopmentMentor and develop cybersecurity engineers and specialists across the organization.Elevate overall cybersecurity maturity through knowledge sharing, best practices, and technical reviews.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related field (Master's preferred).10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with significant focus on embedded, automotive, or IoT systems.Deep technical expertise in areas such as embedded security, secure boot, cryptography, PKI, in-vehicle networks (CAN, LIN, FlexRay, Ethernet), OTA updates, and cloud-connected systems.Strong understanding of automotive cybersecurity standards and regulatory frameworks.Proven ability to influence technical decisions across multiple teams without direct authority.Preferred QualificationsExperience working at or with an automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier.Familiarity with functional safety (ISO 26262) and its interaction with cybersecurity.Hands-on experience with threat modeling methodologies and security architecture design.Professional certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CSSLP, GIAC) are a plus.Key CompetenciesStrategic and systems-level thinkingDeep technical credibility and problem-solving abilityStrong communication skills for both technical and executive audiencesAbility to navigate complex, matrixed organizationsHigh integrity and commitment to safety and customer trustBenefitsImmediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverageFlexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and moreFamily building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and moreVehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leasesTuition assistanceEstablished and active employee resource groupsPaid time off for individual and team community serviceA generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's DayPaid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation timeThis position is leadership level 5 and ranges from $141,700–$268,300. 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.For more information on salary and benefits, see https://fordcareers.co/LL5.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.LI-RemoteLI-GR1J-18808-Ljbffr