Ford Motor Company

Product Development Engineer

Ford Motor Company$74K — $166K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
  • 5+ years of experience in electronic circuit design within automotive control systems
  • Thorough understanding of analog and digital hardware systems
  • In-depth knowledge of the automotive product development lifecycle
  • Proficiency in engineering analysis methods, including WCCA
  • Solid understanding of EMC specifications
  • Proficiency with laboratory test equipment and PCB design

Responsibilities

  • Lead hardware design development for closure subsystems in collaboration with suppliers
  • Define and enforce adherence to technical specifications and industry standards
  • Perform load analysis for optimized power distribution in integrated features
  • Collaborate with safety teams to ensure compliance with safety standards
  • Serve as the primary technical interface with suppliers and internal stakeholders
  • Lead vehicle system compatibility reviews for closure subsystems
  • Provide support in technical design reviews and author engineering documentation

Benefits

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
  • Flexible family care days and paid parental leave
  • Tuition assistance for continued education
  • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members
  • Paid time off for community service and a generous holiday schedule
Full Job Description
Job Description

A Product Development Engineer is responsible for defining, own, and enforcing the electronic hardware and interface requirements for critical closure subsystems within Ford's electrical architectures. These subsystems include, but are not limited to, Door Control Units, Frunk Control Units, and Rear Gate Control Units, which integrate a multitude of body module functionalities such as load profile management, power bus control, Key Off Load management, window control, and other door & gate subsystems.

This role is critical in ensuring robust hardware design, efficient IC selection, and adherence to component capabilities across all functional electrical and ambient ranges. The Core Closure Electronic Engineer will maintain rigorous requirements across body module interfaces for applicable vehicle programs, from concept to production.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...
  • Lead the electronic hardware design development for closure subsystems, collaborating closely with suppliers, system design and architecture teams.
  • Define, author, and ensure strict adherence to technical specifications, industry standards, and Ford-specific requirements for closure subsystem electronics.
  • Perform comprehensive load analysis and management to optimize power distribution, prevent overloads, and ensure robust functionality across all integrated features.
  • Collaborate with Functional Safety teams to ensure all electronic designs comply with relevant safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262 principles).
  • Ensure seamless integration and compatibility of closure electronics with interfacing vehicle subsystems and components.
  • Serve as the primary technical interface with suppliers to clarify Ford requirements, drive robust component development, and manage design deviations as necessary.
  • Act as a key technical liaison with internal stakeholders including Purchasing, Quality, and Vehicle Platforms.
  • Lead and conduct vehicle system compatibility reviews for closure subsystems at key GPDS (Global Product Development System) milestones.
  • Lead and support root cause analysis and resolution of product-related issues (e.g., build, plant, field) for closure electronics.
  • Author and release Closure subsystem Requirements (RQTs) within Ford's engineering documentation systems (e.g., FEDE).
  • Review and approve Closure subsystem Module Component Design Specifications (CDS).
  • Provide technical support and guidance to global Body Module/Zonal Module application engineers.
  • Investigate and assess the technical feasibility of new closure subsystem features and requirements, conducting comprehensive trade-off analyses for cost, quality, and reliability.
  • Lead Worst Case Circuit Analysis (WCCA) for closure module hardware designs and drive resolution of identified issues.
  • Support the development and release of component-level Hardware Specifications and Device Transmittals for closure modules.
  • Review and provide ultimate sign-off authority for Design Verification (DV) and Process Validation (PV) plans and reports (DVP&R), ensuring compliance with specifications.
  • Lead reviews and problem resolution for identified test failures, developing and implementing resolution plans with suppliers.
  • Develop and maintain Failure Mode Analysis documentation for closure components.
  • Prepare for and lead technical design review meetings, representing Closure Module teams (e.g., DCU, FHCM, RGTM, Zonal Module) in management and vehicle program reviews to explain and defend technical findings and recommendations.
  • Leverage technical expertise to rigorously review and analyze supplier simulation and verification results for analog, digital hardware, and firmware.
  • Actively participate in the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for Global Closure Modules.


Qualifications

You'll have...
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
  • 5+ years of experience in electronic circuit design, specifically within automotive control systems or similar complex embedded hardware
  • Thorough understanding of analog and digital hardware systems, particularly as applied to automotive control systems
  • In-depth knowledge of the automotive product development lifecycle from concept to mass production
  • Proficiency in reading and interpreting automotive electrical distribution schematics
  • Solid understanding of EMC specifications and mitigation techniques
  • Proficiency in engineering analysis methods, including Worst Case Circuit Analysis (WCCA) using tools like MathCAD or similar simulation software
  • Proficiency with laboratory test equipment (e.g., multi-meters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers)
  • Experience with PCB design and manufacturing processes
  • Strong critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex technical information effectively.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in electrical engineering
  • 10+ years of experience in electronic circuit design or similar experience within the automotive industry
  • Familiarity with the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
  • Experience with Vector tools such as CANalyzer or CANoe
  • Proficiency with Ford product development system applications (e.g., WERS, FEDEBOM, Team Center, Integrator, 3DX, etc)


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 range of salary grades 6-8 and ranges from $74,300-$166,200.

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/GSR

Visa sponsorship is not 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.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-MG3

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company manufactures or distributes automobiles in addition to offering financial services. The company sells to dealerships for retail sales, and for sale to fleet customers, including commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Ford’s vehicle portfolio includes automobiles, buses, tractors, and trucks. Retail financing includes retail installment sale contracts for new and used vehicles, and direct financing leases for new vehicles to retail customers, government entities, daily rental car companies, and fleet customers. Finance receivables in the non-consumer portfolio include products offered to automotive dealers. Ford’s environmental initiatives include compressed natural gas, flexible fuel vehicles, electric drive vehicles, Hydrogen, PC power management, and so on. Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 and is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.

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Join the dynamic team at Ford Motor Company, a global leader in automotive innovation and manufacturing. At Ford, we are committed to driving human progress by providing outstanding vehicles and mobility solutions. This is an exciting time to become part of our inclusive team, where job opportunities abound and growth is not just a possibility, but a promise.

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At Ford Motor Company, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our professionals are at the forefront of automotive technology, leading projects that redefine transportation and sustainability. With a culture rooted in continuous improvement and respect for all, Ford offers a workplace where leadership, diversity training, and innovation are part of everyday life.

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Engage in work that makes a difference. Ford Motor Company is pioneering developments in electrification, autonomous vehicles, and smart mobility solutions. Our team of over 190,000 employees worldwide is dedicated to crafting experiences that improve the way the world moves.

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Working at Ford means more than just having a job; it means being part of a global family. Our culture promotes teamwork, integrity, and respect—values that underpin everything we do. We believe in nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment where every employee can thrive.

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Ford Motor Company is not just a great place to work; it’s a place to build a lasting career. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, comprehensive health care, and retirement plans that rank among the best in the industry. We support career advancement through extensive training programs and hands-on experience in the latest automotive technologies.

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Learn more about Ford Motor Company
Size
183,000 employees
Market Cap
$44.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1903
5 Year Trend
-2.1%
Revenue
$127.1 billion
NASDAQ

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