STEM OPT System Safety Engineer Jobs
System Safety Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree is in engineering, systems engineering, or a related STEM field under an eligible CIP code. The 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to work for any employer enrolled in E-Verify, covering full-time positions across aerospace, defense, and transportation sectors.
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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 a highly skilled and knowledgeable Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Cybersecurity Systems Engineer to join our team, focusing on the ADAS cybersecurity system development to protect the next generation of ADAS ECU. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in automotive systems engineering and embedded system cybersecurity concepts, experience with hardware and software integration, and expertise in developing and optimizing embedded cybersecurity solutions for cutting-edge automotive technologies. As an ADAS Cybersecurity Systems Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our company's ADAS capabilities, ensuring the successful implementation of various systems, and providing technical leadership throughout the development lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Lead the application of cybersecurity process and development of cybersecurity work products for future vehicle program applications for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), ensuring ISO 21424 and vehicle cybersecurity regulatory compliance
- Support ECU threat modeling and development of the Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment to identify security vulnerabilities and apply appropriate countermeasures
- Support the design and development of the cybersecurity architecture for the next generation ADAS platform within an integrated suite of hardware, software and sensor technologies
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define system-level requirements, integrate hardware/software components, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity and automotive standards
- Support cross-functional teams (hardware, software, and system engineers) in the development, failure mode analysis, integration, and optimization of ADAS cybersecurity solutions using model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methodologies
- Support the development of the platform system analysis including all interfaces, failure mode analysis and corresponding robustness actions
- Identify and mitigate potential risks in the system design by analyzing technical trade-offs and providing alternative solutions
- Work closely with in-house software design teams, suppliers and external partners to evaluate, and integrate third-party components and software for ADAS systems
- Establish structured component, sub-system and system level design verification test methodologies performed on bench/HIL/in-vehicle
- Provide support for troubleshooting and resolving issues related to the ADAS platform system SoC integration, performance, and system software
- Maintain comprehensive documentation for design, testing, and validation processes. Provide regular updates to stakeholders on project progress, challenges, and resolutions
- Use Jira to manage work items, execution status, and documentation supporting product development rigor
- Support IT backend on ECU key/password/certificate management and ECU manufacturing processes related to cybersecurity material (key/password/certificate)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a combination of education and experience
- 3+ years of experience in systems engineering/product development
- 2+ years of experience in automotive cybersecurity domain
- 2+ years of experience in failure analysis methodologies such as FMEA, fault tree analysis, and root cause analysis
- Experience with threat modeling and Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment
- Experience using MBSE tools (e.g. Magic Draw, MATLAB, Simulink, etc.)
- Experience with hardware/software interfaces and validation methodologies
- Proficient in the analysis and troubleshooting of complex electronic systems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of experience in automotive electronics, embedded software, and system-level design, development, analysis, and Integration
- 5+ years of experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), AUTOSAR and automotive software frameworks, safety-critical applications, and automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet, LIN)
- Understanding of automotive cybersecurity regulations, data protection standards, and industry-relevant security protocols (e.g., ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE WP29 R.155/R.156, GDPR, IEEE, IETF, NIST), with a history of applying these in vehicle development contexts
- Understanding of common security vulnerabilities and attack vectors in embedded systems
- Working knowledge of cryptography fundamentals, including symmetric and asymmetric algorithms, hashing, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and X.509 digital certificates
- Proficiency working productively with Jira
- Developing and conducting bench and vehicle tests, gathering, and analyzing data
- Experience with automotive networks and communication (i.e. CAN, CAN-FD, Ethernet)
- Experience with Ethernet communication and network security protocols (MACsec, IPsec, SRTP, SFTP, TLS, DTLS)
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to explain security concepts to diverse audiences and work effectively in a cross-functional, geographically dispersed teams
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!
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 salary grade 7 and ranges from $99,600-$166,600.
This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $115,000-$165,000.
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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a System Safety Engineer
Verify your CIP code matches safety engineering
Check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying. Systems engineering, industrial engineering, and aerospace engineering codes all support System Safety Engineer roles, but general management or interdisciplinary codes often don't qualify.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension start date. Search the E-Verify employer database directly or ask your hiring manager for your employer's E-Verify company ID number during the offer stage.
Target defense contractors with active DCSA clearances
Many System Safety Engineer roles require or anticipate security clearance eligibility. Contractors already holding facility clearances through DCSA are structured for long-term employment, making them more likely to invest in the I-983 training plan your STEM OPT requires.
Use Migrate Mate to filter E-Verify employers by role
Search System Safety Engineer positions on Migrate Mate to see which employers are E-Verify enrolled and have filed for STEM-relevant roles. This cuts the manual verification step and surfaces employers already set up to hire on OPT.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan before your start date
Your employer must complete and sign the I-983 before your DSO can recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS. Bring a draft training plan outlining safety analysis tasks, MIL-STD methodology exposure, and learning goals to your offer discussion so HR isn't starting from scratch.
Document safety certifications to strengthen H-1B sponsorship
System safety roles frequently transition to H-1B visa sponsorship after OPT. Completing certifications like ASSE's CSP or SAE's system safety courses during your OPT period establishes specialty occupation evidence that supports a stronger I-129 petition later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a System Safety Engineer role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your underlying degree is in an eligible STEM field such as systems engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, or a related discipline with an approved CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The job title alone doesn't determine eligibility. Your DSO confirms the match between your degree's CIP code and the role before recommending the extension in SEVIS.
What does the I-983 training plan need to cover for this role?
The I-983 must describe specific learning goals tied to your System Safety Engineer duties, such as conducting hazard analyses, applying MIL-STD-882 methodology, or developing safety assessment reports. It must show a direct connection between your STEM degree and the work you're performing. Your employer signs it, your DSO endorses it, and USCIS may review it during any audit of your STEM OPT status.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
If your employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses or is terminated after your STEM OPT extension begins, your work authorization is at risk. USCIS requires E-Verify enrollment throughout the entire extension period, not just at the start date. You should report any change in employer E-Verify status to your DSO immediately and assess whether a transfer to a new qualifying employer is needed.
How does cap-gap affect System Safety Engineer roles during H-1B transition?
If you're selected in the H-1B lottery while on STEM OPT and your OPT authorization would expire before October 1, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. This lets you continue working in your System Safety Engineer role without interruption while your H-1B petition is pending. Your EAD card doesn't change, but USCIS records reflect the extension.
Where can I find System Safety Engineer jobs with E-Verify employers?
Migrate Mate lists System Safety Engineer positions filtered for employers enrolled in E-Verify, so you can identify qualifying opportunities without manually cross-checking each company. Defense contractors, aerospace manufacturers, and transportation agencies make up a large share of employers hiring for this role, and many already have structured OPT hiring processes in place.