Autonomous Robotics Launch Manager

Job ID
- *
- Category
- Manufacturing
- Location
- Naucalpan de Juárez, Mexico
- Work Type
- Hybrid
This role leads a multi-plant engineering and project delivery team responsible for defining, developing, and deploying next-generation autonomous robotics technologies used in Ford's manufacturing in-plant logistics environment.
This leader oversees advanced AMR/AGV platforms, embedded controls, ML-based perception systems, ADAS-inspired autonomy stacks, and large-scale software integrations that support material delivery launches across Ford's global plants.
This role requires a unique blend of strategic leadership, deep software and controls technical expertise, and the ability to guide complex robotics programs from early concepts through industrial deployment.
The manager directs software-heavy engineering activities—such as perception modeling, mapping/localization, fleet management coding, and autonomy stack refinement—while ensuring alignment with Ford safety, cybersecurity, and plant operations standards.
Leadership & Technical Direction
- Lead a high-performing team of robotics engineers, software developers, and launch professionals delivering AMR/automation across multiple Ford manufacturing sites.
- Establish coding standards, software development best practices, and architecture guidelines for robotics platforms used within MP&L.
- Provide high-level technical oversight of autonomy software, ADAS-style sensor fusion pipelines, software frameworks, and computer vision integrations.
- Drive clarity and technical alignment between software teams, controls teams, IT, plant operations, and external vendors.
Technology Strategy & Robotics Software Development:
- Shape Ford's long-term strategy for AMR autonomy stacks
- including sensor fusion, perception, mapping, localization, motion planning, and safety systems.
- Drive standardization of Ford's AMR software frameworks across plants to reduce cost, improve reliability, and create enterprise-wide scalability.
Software-Driven Project Execution & SOW Development:
- Lead authoring and negotiation of software-focused SOWs covering autonomy behaviors, fleet algorithms, sensor calibration requirements, MCU/SoC/MPU integration, and cybersecurity standards.
- Translate business objectives and plant needs into detailed technical deliverables for internal teams and external suppliers—including coding milestones, functional safety requirements, and software validation criteria.
- Oversee architecture, debugging, simulation, digital twin validation, and model-in-the-loop / software-in-the-loop testing environments prior to deployment.
Multi-Plant Launch Leadership:
- Lead all software and controls readiness activities for AMR deployments during vehicle launches.
- Ensure perception models are tuned, localization maps validated, autonomy parameters calibrated, and fleet software integration is stable prior to go-live.
- Resolve high-complexity plant issues related to software behavior, routing algorithms, traffic orchestration, perception stack failures, and network integration.
Embedded Controls & Hardware Integration:
- Guide integration of SoC/MPU/MCU controllers, safety PLCs, fieldbuses, and robotics sensors.
- Ensure motion controllers use appropriate constraint-based optimization, MPC, and control law tuning.
Software Validation & Simulation:
- Oversee Gazebo, Isaac Sim, ROS simulation environments, digital twin development, and automated test harnesses.
- Approve model-based design artifacts and software validation reports.
Financial, Operational, and Stakeholder Accountability:
- Manage multi-million-dollar budgets for robotics and software-driven automation projects.
- Conduct financial reviews, cost optimization, and ROI analyses related to autonomy and software-heavy system deployments.
- Interface with MP&L, MFE, IT, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Finance, Cybersecurity, and external robotics suppliers.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelors in engineering, robotics, computer science, software engineering, or related field.
- 5-10 years in robotics, automation, or software engineering, with 3-5+ years in leadership.
- Deep understanding of AMR autonomy, ADAS-style algorithms, robotics controls, and sensor fusion.
- Strong track record in SOW creation, vendor management, and full lifecycle robotics deployments.
- Ability and willingness to travel to USA, Canada, Mexico plants as required.
- Proficient English language skills
Preferred Requirements
- Master's degree in Robotics, Software Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), or Technical Leadership.
- Experience architecting advanced robotics autonomy stacks or ADAS systems.
- Familiarity with Ford GVOSS, GME-707, safety standards, and cybersecurity requirements.
- Experience