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Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer
full-timePalo Alto$163k - $308k

Summary

Location

Palo Alto

Salary

$163k - $308k

Type

full-time

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About this role

Wireless Projection Optimization: Take full ownership of WiFi performance for Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Optimize the stack for low-latency, high-throughput video streaming and jitter-free audio, ensuring a seamless user experience. Projection Certification: Lead the connectivity-side validation for Apple and Google certification. Ensure the WiFi subsystem meets all KPIs regarding connection setup time, throughput stability, and multi-protocol handling required for official projection approval. Complex Concurrency Management: Architect and implement solutions for complex WiFi use cases, including Multi-Role/Multi-Channel (MCC/SCC) concurrency. Technical Roadmap & Ownership: Define the long-term roadmap for WiFi at Ford. Take accountability for the end-to-end software lifecycle, from silicon selection to production-ready drivers. Architectural Leadership: Design and implement WiFi drivers and firmware integrations optimized for hypervisor-based architectures (Xen/KVM), ensuring robust resource sharing between Linux Dom0 and Android Guest VMs. Global Certification & WFA: Drive the strategy for WiFi Alliance (WFA) certification and regulatory compliance (FCC/CE). Establish internal standards for Interoperability (IOP) testing across global mobile device ecosystems. Cross-Functional Alignment: Act as the central lead between Hardware, Antenna/RF, Cyber Security, and the Projection/Infotainment teams to ensure a cohesive wireless ecosystem. Supplier Influence: Manage technical relationships with Tier 1 chipset vendors. Influence vendor roadmaps to prioritize features like advanced co-existence and high-stability projection. Bachelor's or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Experience: 10+ years in WiFi driver development and wireless systems, with a track record of shipping connectivity solutions for high-volume consumer or automotive products. Projection Expertise: Demonstrated experience optimizing WiFi for Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, including deep knowledge of Wi-Fi Direct (P2P) and SoftAP protocols. Expert Programming: Mastery of C and C++ for Linux application / kernel-level development, specifically within the network stack (cfg80211, mac80211). Performance Tuning: Expert-level ability to debug and fix latency, packet loss, and throughput issues using network sniffers and logic analyzers. Virtualization: Proven experience architecting connectivity solutions in virtualized environments where hardware resources are partitioned or shared between OSs. Certification Knowledge: Hands-on experience with Apple/Google connectivity certification requirements and WFA Sigma testing. WiFi Deep-Dive: Expert knowledge of 802.11 standards (including Wi-Fi 6/6E/7) and the ability to solve "impossible" bugs spanning hardware, firmware, and OS. Education: BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Co-existence: Deep understanding of 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz co-existence and interference mitigation strategies (e.g., WiFi/Bluetooth/LTE co-ex). System Security: Experience implementing WPA3, secure boot, and encrypted firmware loading. Open Source: Active contributor to the Linux Kernel or other relevant networking projects. 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 leadership level 5 and ranges from $163,080-308,880. For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL5 Visa sponsorship is available for this position. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

Other facts

Tech stack
WiFi Performance,Wireless CarPlay,Android Auto,WiFi Driver Development,Network Stack,Performance Tuning,Virtualization,Certification Knowledge,802.11 Standards,System Security,Open Source Contribution,Concurrency Management,Architectural Leadership,Cross-Functional Alignment,Supplier Influence,Technical Roadmap

About Ford

We don't just make history -- we make the future. Ford put the world on wheels over a century ago, and our teams are re-inventing icons and creating groundbreaking connected and electric vehicles for the next century. We believe in serving our customers, our communities, and the world. If you do, too, come move the world and make the future with us.

Ford is a global company with shared ideals and a deep sense of family. From our earliest days as a pioneer of modern transportation, we have sought to make the world a better place – one that benefits lives, communities and the planet. We are here to provide the means for every person to move and pursue their dreams, serving as a bridge between personal freedom and the future of mobility. In that pursuit, our 186,000 employees around the world help to set the pace of innovation every day.

Privacy Policy: https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/

Team size: 10,001+ employees
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing

What you'll do

  • The Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer will optimize WiFi performance for Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring low-latency and high-throughput streaming. They will also lead the validation for Apple and Google certification and manage complex WiFi use cases.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ford pay for a Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer?

Ford offers a competitive compensation package for the Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer role. The salary range is USD 163k - 309k per year. Apply through Clera to learn more about the full compensation details.

What does a Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer do at Ford?

As a Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer at Ford, you will: the Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer will optimize WiFi performance for Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring low-latency and high-throughput streaming. They will also lead the validation for Apple and Google certification and manage complex WiFi use cases..

Why join Ford as a Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer?

Ford is a leading Motor Vehicle Manufacturing company. The Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer role offers competitive compensation.

Is the Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer position at Ford remote?

The Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer position at Ford is based in Palo Alto, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.

How do I apply for the Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer position at Ford?

You can apply for the Senior Staff WiFi Connectivity Engineer position at Ford directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about Ford on their website.