Lead FS Engineer

Job#: 3031300

Job Description:

Hybrid On-Site Dearborn, MI

12+ Month Contract

$50-$85/HR

Position Description - Anchor Software Engineer (Global Health & Safety)

Are you a high-performing software engineer who thrives in hands-on development while also shaping the technical direction of complex, enterprise-scale systems? The Global Health & Safety (GHS) team is seeking an Anchor Software Engineer to lead the design and delivery of critical applications that support the safety and well-being of Ford employees worldwide.

At Ford, the Anchor Engineer serves as the technical core of a balanced product team. Unlike traditional lead roles that move away from hands-on coding, the Anchor remains deeply engaged in software development-writing code daily while also acting as an architect, mentor, and strategic technical partner to Product Management and Design. You will lead by example within a Lean, Agile, and Extreme Programming (XP) environment, ensuring technical excellence, system reliability, and sustainable delivery.

This role supports both project delivery and operational needs; however, the primary focus will be on project execution. You will collaborate with Ford engineers and external partners, providing technical direction and ensuring alignment with architectural standards. The initiative centers on consolidating fragmented global health and safety systems into two primary enterprise applications-one already in development and one being designed from the ground up.

The Anchor Mindset

Humble Technical Leadership

You are one of the strongest technical contributors on the team, yet you remain collaborative, open, and willing to pair with engineers of all experience levels to share knowledge and continuously learn.

Problem Solver

You excel at solving complex technical challenges, improving system performance, and enhancing scalability, reliability, and maintainability.

Effective Communicator

You translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders and foster alignment across engineering, product, and design teams.

Technical Proficiencies

Back-End Development

• Strong experience in Java (Spring Boot / Spring Cloud), Python, or C#
• Design and development of RESTful APIs and microservices architectures

Front-End Development

• Proficiency with modern frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js
• Strong command of HTML5, CSS3, and responsive design principles (e.g., Bootstrap)
• Understanding of user experience fundamentals

Cloud & DevOps

• Experience with Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform) and OpenShift
• CI/CD pipeline development using tools such as Jenkins, Tekton, Maven, or Gradle
• Strong proficiency with Git and GitHub-based collaboration workflows

Data Management

• Experience with relational and NoSQL databases (Oracle, MySQL, MongoDB)
• Knowledge of schema migration tools such as Liquibase
• Strong understanding of data modeling and data architecture principles

Security & Compliance

• Understanding of OAuth and Entra ID authentication flows
• Experience handling sensitive PII/SPII data securely
• Familiarity with application security and governance tools (e.g., 42Crunch, FOSSA)

Experience & Education

Required

• 5-8+ years of professional software engineering experience
• Proven track record of delivering full-stack software products
• Strong proficiency in at least one primary programming language and working knowledge of a second

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• Demonstrated experience working in Extreme Programming (XP) environments, including pair programming and Test-Driven Development (TDD)

Additional Qualifications

• Proven ability to gather, analyze, and manage functional and non-functional requirements for complex systems
• Strong understanding of Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
• Experience with tools such as Jira, Confluence, Miro, and Visio
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
• Familiarity with UX principles and DevOps practices is a strong advantage

Technical Leadership & Architecture Responsibilities

Architecture Ownership

• Serve as the primary technical authority for the product
• Define system architecture, components, and service interfaces
• Guide long-term technical direction and ensure scalability and maintainability

Engineering Excellence

• Establish coding standards, testing strategies, and engineering best practices
• Drive reduction of technical debt and ensure long-term system health
• Promote secure coding practices and compliance with enterprise security standards

Security & Compliance

• Ensure proper handling of sensitive data (PII/SPII)
• Support encryption, anonymization, and compliance with Ford security policies

Hands-On Development (XP Practices)

• Design, build, and maintain full-stack applications (React/Angular + Java/Python/C#)
• Champion Test-Driven Development (TDD) and clean, maintainable code practices
• Actively participate in daily pair programming to improve code quality and team knowledge sharing
• Build and support microservices-based architectures, including authentication and configuration services
• Manage database schemas and migrations using tools such as Liquibase

Collaboration & Delivery

• Partner closely with Product Managers and Designers to define user stories, prioritize backlogs, and validate technical feasibility
• Own CI/CD pipelines and cloud deployment processes on Google Cloud Platform, ensuring reliable and scalable releases
• Implement modern deployment strategies such as blue-green and zero-downtime releases
• Mentor and coach junior engineers to strengthen team capability and technical growth
• Engage with stakeholders and end users to understand needs and deliver user-centric solutions

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.