OTA Validation Lead

This role ensures the success of all Over-the-Air (OTA) V&V (Verification & Validation) test program activities, encompassing Delivery, Content, and Conformance Testing. Responsibilities include proactively removing roadblocks, escalating issues, and meticulously planning and tracking deliverables against defined Software (SW) releases. The supervisor will develop, mentor, and lead the Technical Test Management (TTM) team, establishing, standardizing and executing effective OTA V&V Test Management processes. A core focus is optimizing V&V Test Management resource allocation, particularly personnel, to provide aggregated status and strategic insights on OTA V&V testing to higher management, aligning with the SW release cadence.

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow's transportation.

Ford Product Development is utilizing Design Thinking & User Experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that will delight our customers. Our employees are laser-focused on bringing innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. From autonomy and electrification, to smart mobility technologies, our Product Development teams around the world are working together with excitement to make smart vehicles for a smart world.

Basic Qualifications

Experience with agile testing methodologies and best practices.

Analyze and communicate test results and defect tracking.

Assist in the planning, creation and control of test environments and test data.

Participate in the review of QA procedures and processes.

Ability to understand product architectures (high-level design & low level design), as well as network architectures and communication protocols.

Knowledge of release, change and configuration management.

Experience defining the high-level vision (strategy), the logistical steps (plan), and the technical methodology (approach) for automated software testing.

Demonstrated functional, non-functional and manual testing knowledge.

Excellent communication, collaboration, reporting analytical and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent work experience.

Strong knowledge of QA methodology.

Ability to effectively articulate technical challenges and solutions.

Deal well with ambiguous/undefined problems; ability to think abstractly.

Experience translating data analytics into strategic insights, with a demonstrated ability to utilize AI tools to enhance operational agility and accelerate decision-making processes.

Experience in agile or scrum software development methodologies.

5+ years proven experience in Leading SW Test teams, SW Development teams or equivalent.

Proven expertise on SW OTA cycle plan, release plan and release structure.

Proven expertise with Application Lifecycle Management tools and it's integration to achieve specific Project Goal (Atlassian products preferred).

• Core functions
• Develop and manage a consolidated plan for OTA Delivery, Content, and Conformance Testing, collaborating with Test Execution teams to ensure meticulous planning, tracking, and seamless execution of deliverables aligned with Software release cycles.
  • Create vehicle program test status and prepare aggregated dashboard reports and presentations for senior leadership reviews.
  • Conflicts management and roadblocks resolution enabled; particularly those impacting OTA Delivery, Content, or Conformance Testing deliverables within a given SW release .
  • Represent the V&V Technical Test Management team in cross-functional meetings, advocating for OTA testing needs and deliverables within the overall SW release strategy .
  • Lead and Facilitate forums that will enable to coordinate the OTA Test strategies with the OTA Product Owners, Vehicle Programs, SW Developers / ECU Owners and Test Execution teams.
• Facilitate process improvement initiatives specifically for OTA V&V Technical Test Management , focusing on optimizing deliverable tracking, reporting, and adaptation within the dynamic context of SW releases .
  • Create standard templates and process documentation for OTA V&V Technical Test Management , including explicit guidelines for planning and monitoring deliverables based on SW releases across all OTA teams.
  • Creation, maintenance and improvement of SW Test and TTM KPIs tracking systems (with internal AI engines integration, current data ocean and SW lifecycle toolchain).
• People:
• Manage people allocation for the TTM team based on organizational needs and objectives, ensuring adequate support for all OTA testing domains across SW releases .
• Manage the performance, development, and hiring of the TTM team, fostering expertise in OTA-specific testing challenges and SW release management.