Software Developer Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
Software Developer jobs in Palo Alto are concentrated in the Stanford Research Park, Downtown University Avenue corridor, and the Midtown district, where enterprise software, semiconductor, and AI platform companies cluster. Employers hiring right now include Tesla, JPMorganChase, and Rivian. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Overview
At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.
- Job Type: Full time
- Work Type: Hybrid
We are seeking an experienced Software Developer in Test to join the Verification & Validation team,
specializing in embedded systems with a focus on vehicle cloud and connectivity applications. As a
Software Developer in Test, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated
tests for our embedded software products. You will also be responsible for defining, decomposing, and
realizing feature, function, interface, and testing requirements and associated integration efforts for Ford’s
next-generation electronic systems and controls. You will lead the end-to-end integration and testing of
these systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to support product design, vehicle behavior
definition, prototype bring-up, and debugging. Join a team of knowledgeable and passionate engineers
striving to build robust and safety-rated systems, while ensuring the quality and reliability of our software
solutions.
What you'll do...
- Own, design, build, and maintain comprehensive automotive system-level test benches including
in-house developed Hardware-in-the-loop systems (HILs), ensuring their seamless integration of
hardware and software components for reliable and scalable test environments, with a strong
emphasis on Python-driven automation. - Develop comprehensive verification and validation plans, test plans, test cases, and test scripts to
rigorously validate functional, non-functional, performance, safety, and regression aspects of
automotive software systems and components. - Oversee and coordinate the development and validation of Distributed (e.g. Software, Electrical &
Mechanical) Features on all UEV programs. - Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including software developers (e.g. BMS,
Body Controls, Connectivity, etc), controls engineers, and systems engineers, to:- Interact with systems, hardware and software teams to develop test plans for major
vehicle features, collaborating with device owners, program teams, core engineers and
functional areas to create balanced solutions to competing requirements. - Execute test cases and test scripts, leveraging advanced Python automation to enhance
testing efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability across various testing phases. - Decompose functional and non-functional requirements to comprehensive test scenarios
that are actionable against V&V test platforms and test infrastructure. - Create a constant feedback loop between field issues and functional requirements and
test cases, ensuring that we are left-shifting testing and defect detection.
- Interact with systems, hardware and software teams to develop test plans for major
You'll have...
- Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD degree in Electrical/Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Science,
or related field. - 7+ years of experience in software testing, preferably with embedded systems in the automotive
industry. - Experience in Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tools such as dSPACE, Vector, NI, ETAS, etc
- Familiar with programming languages such as Python, Rust, or other relevant languages used in
embedded software development and verification. - Experience writing automated tests in test frameworks such as Pytest, Slash, Robot Framework,
or similar. - Strong understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals and ability to apply them to
automotive concepts - Experience with requirements capture in requirements management software platforms (JAMA,
Polarion, DOORs, etc.) - Strong experience debugging embedded systems at a module and/or system level, and the ability
to triage nightly regression failures. - Experience with software testing tools, frameworks, and methodologies (e.g., requirements-driven
test development, unit testing, integration testing, system testing, automated testing). - Experience designing/integrating/validating embedded software features across one or more of
the following domains: network communication, cloud and connectivity, multimedia, infotainment,
Android/iOS, and low-voltage power distribution. - A systems approach to design and development, with an eagerness for continuous improvement
and collaborative, cross-functional teamwork in a dynamic environment. - Excellent teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and project management skills
Even better, you may have...
- Electrical Systems Engineering experience including understanding of systems engineering V
model. - Experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Hazard Analysis and Risk
Assessment (HARA). - Familiarity with common electronic components and comfort reading circuit design
schematics & data sheets. - Ability to work independently on technical tasks, effective troubleshooting, and problem-
solving with minimal supervision. - Strong written and verbal communication, and teamwork skills.
- A systems approach to design and development with the desire and curiosity to strive for
exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement. - Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools.
- Experience with vehicle launch.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
- 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 6 and ranges from $150,200-$283,500.
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, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
Visa sponsorship is 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.
This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid
#LI-MZ1 #UEV
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Find Software Developer JobsSoftware Developer Job Market in Palo Alto
Who's Hiring
- Tesla137

- JPMorganChase18

- Rivian17

- SpaceXSI17S
- Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies14

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software39
- Manufacturing6
- Artificial Intelligence4
- Automotive3
- Science & Research3
Software Developer Jobs in Palo Alto: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a software developer job in Palo Alto?
Focus your search on Palo Alto's dominant sectors: enterprise SaaS, AI infrastructure, semiconductor tooling, and venture-backed startups headquartered near University Avenue and Stanford Research Park. Roles here tend to reward depth in distributed systems, machine learning pipelines, or developer tooling. Candidates who can show shipped production code, open-source contributions, or prior experience inside a high-growth Palo Alto-area company move faster through hiring pipelines than those with generalist credentials alone.
Which companies hire software developers in Palo Alto?
Employers hiring software developers in Palo Alto right now include Tesla, JPMorganChase, and Rivian, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Palo Alto's employer mix skews toward mature tech companies, VC-funded growth-stage startups, and semiconductor firms that have maintained a physical footprint close to Stanford's campus.
Are there remote software developer jobs in Palo Alto?
Yes, software development is one of the more remote-compatible disciplines, though roles requiring hands-on hardware integration or on-site collaboration with research teams tend to stay in person. About 43% of software developer openings tied to Palo Alto are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broader industry flexibility. Backend, platform, and data engineering roles posted by Palo Alto employers are the most likely to offer fully remote arrangements.
How can I get a software developer job in Palo Alto with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is targeting associate or junior engineering roles at mid-size Palo Alto startups, which hire new graduates more readily than the large incumbents and often provide mentorship within small teams. Internship pipelines tied to Stanford, the Stanford Research Park tenant companies, and local accelerator-backed startups are another concrete on-ramp. Building a portfolio with one or two complete, deployed projects relevant to AI or developer tools makes a measurable difference with Palo Alto hiring managers reviewing entry-level candidates.
Which industries hire the most software developers in Palo Alto?
The sectors hiring the most software developers in Palo Alto are Technology & Software, Manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Palo Alto's proximity to Stanford and its long history as a headquarters city for deep-tech companies means these sectors have built dense, self-reinforcing talent ecosystems that sustain consistent hiring even outside broader tech industry expansions.
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