Ford Motor Company

Product Development Engineer-Interior/Exterior Hardware Integration

Ford Motor Company • $65K — $166K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering
  • 10+ years of automotive Interiors experience or similar role with knowledge of vehicle systems
  • Master's degree in engineering preferred
  • Experience in Design and Release or Vehicle Engineering
  • Strong communication and leadership skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and build relationships across functions
  • Onsite work commitment for at least 4 days a week

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for functional engineering support
  • Facilitate alignment of priorities between program teams and functional departments
  • Drive the delivery of cost-effective solutions in line with timelines
  • Manage processes and deliverables to meet program targets
  • Establish and lead VHE integration meetings, ensuring effective communication
  • Guide Function Engineers on necessary tools and processes
  • Support sourcing and commodity planning efforts for cost and quality targets
  • Ensure data integrity and alignment in CAD, BOMs, and quality documents
  • Lead issue resolution with cross-functional teams
  • Support vehicle launch processes and build events effectively

Benefits

  • Hybrid work arrangement with required on-site days
  • Opportunities for personal and professional development
  • Access to a collaborative and innovative work environment
  • Strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-department collaboration
  • Health and wellness resources
Full Job Description
Job Description

VHE (Vehicle Hardware Engineering) integration engineer for forward model programs acts as the single point of contact for Program to Functional Engineering, ensuring and coordinating functional support and assisting functional teams in any way possible to remove roadblocks and get the job done.
  1. Systems Integration & Single Point of Contact: Serve as the primary point of contact for program team seeking functional engineering assistance, ensuring seamless collaboration and problem resolution. Provide comprehensive systems integration support within the functional departments.
  2. Priority Alignment & Team Coordination: Facilitate the alignment of priorities within the functional department and between program teams, coordinating actions with functional teams to ensure successful achievement of program milestones.
  3. Program Delivery & Process Ownership: Drive the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective solutions in accordance with program timelines, assuming program management responsibility for assigned systems.
  4. Performance Management & Target Achievement: Manage processes, metrics, and deliverables to consistently meet program targets and timelines, tracking progress, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring overall program success.


Responsibilities

What you'll do...
  • Program Content Alignment: Support functional alignment with program assumptions, ensuring engineering design reviews and work streams are consistent with program timing. PDL change support through Program development, providing necessary updates and feedback for accurate verbiage and agreement on added content.
  • VHE Meeting Leadership: Establish VHE integration meeting cadence and manages the agenda, schedule SharePoint and chair discussions. Documents and distributes meeting agendas, minutes, and open issues lists, serving as main communication channel of Program updates to functional teams. Serve as the primary liaison between Functional/Core teams, attribute teams, and Program, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
  • Integration Coaching: Provide guidance to Function Engineers on systems, tools, forms, and templates necessary to support the program and should assist D&R engineer if they see issues during the application.
  • Target Management & Performance: Manage with the Function, commodity planning, development of complexity status, and part-level cost targets. Maintain a roadmap, action plan, and drive gap closure.
  • Sourcing & Commodity Planning: Support Functional To4 on cost processes, from Key Commodity Planning to final sign-off of commodity targets with the supplier. Support DEA, Attachment C, and 1st Engineering Concept. Lead the receipt and tracking of SAL/CPA to final sign-off.
  • Quality Planning & Management: Develop FMA planning for VHE commodities in alignment with Program content and driven by Functional team analysis. Manage Quality deliverables (RCL, DFMEA, SCCAF, etc) to support Engineering Milestones, ensuring timely updates subject to engineering changes, and sign-off completion for cross-functional alignment.
  • Milestone Support & Declaration: Support Engineering Milestone reviews with VEV SO and Program teams, representing the Functional areas. Manage Functional Engineering teams to ensure they complete deliverable assessments on time (FEDE WB & GI). Ensure recovery plans are in place for late deliverables, enabling on-time and quality Milestone declaration.
  • Data Integrity & System Alignment: Manage functional CAD to BOM alignment. Support Packaging and DPA workstreams, managing fallout from misalignment reports and E2KS issues. Ensure timely updates of required information in BOM, CAD, weight, and quality documents; as well as D/R sign-off for robustness.
  • Design Verification & Compliance: Manage total Design Verification (DV) planning and timing to support program Milestone deliverables. Confirm conformance to design rules, regulations and requirements; coordinate CDR documentation and sign off; and consolidate potential deviations.
  • Change Control Management: Ensure timely updates of required information to maintain a robust BOM and guarantee build stability. Attend CPE Decision Forums as required to manage changes and support approval. For Initial P-Release, establish glidepath and ensure adherence to it, coordinating Functional Engineering groups, CAD team, Suppliers, and VO for on-time sign-off and release. After P-Release, lead the functional concern process in WERS, supporting CR authorization and Notice release.
  • Issue Resolution: Lead issue resolution, prioritizing clear Root Cause identification. Coordinate cross-functional problem-solving and assist functional teams in removing roadblocks to drive containment actions. Ensure proper documentation of workplan maintaining AIMS system updated for on-time disposition and or escalation.
  • Prototype Build Support: Manage assembly illustration sign-off metrics. Lead the coordination of part pedigree and support procurement for bridging parts. Support the build process through vehicle sign-off. Manage binning of functional, assembly, and/or supplier quality issues raised during build and/or testing, and coordinate issue resolution workstreams within AIMS.
  • Launch Support: Manage Engineering LQOS Metrics for all builds; including Change Control, BOM & Part Sign Off, Part Pedigree status, AIMS and OSM (Campaigns).
    • Part Pedigree Status Support: Attend OTG meetings to review and address Engineering open issues to meet PPAP target and documenting Support Plan and Risk Assessment through Alert as required.
    • On-site Build Support: Lead the assembly process for the Functional area at Production Plant Build events. Support binning and manage issue resolution for Whiteboard & DEMS calls, as well as for Quality audits, such as PDI, FCPA, FER & R202.
    • TVM Implementation Support: Manage Launch added TVM actions no differently from planned program PDL content. Recommend and support Engineering due diligence - incl. CAD compatibility & Sub-systems interface review, Manufacturing and Supplier feasibility assessment, as well as DV sign off plan. Help coordinate STA engagement for PPAP delivery to support launch metrics and industrialization plan.
    • PVT Program Hand off: Support PVT and Functional Engineering on any stop ships that occur prior to Plant Launch Exit completed. Help coordinate immediate reaction with Functional and STA teams to address stop ship/build issues.


Qualifications

You'll have...

Bachelor's degree in engineering.

10+ years of experience in automotive Interiors preferred but will consider similar experience with Exteriors in addition to comprehensive knowledge of vehicle components and system functions.

Even better, you may have...
Master's degree in engineering.

Design and Release Engineering or Vehicle Engineering experience is preferred.

Strong fundamentals and working knowledge of GPDS engineering milestones & GPDS process.

Experience in the Cost Setting Process and Functional Led Cost/Appearance Delivery Process a benefit.

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills (open, clear, and inclusive).

Outstanding leadership skills with demonstrated ability to deliver results.

Demonstrated organizational and delegation skills with proper follow-up.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently.

Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload managing immediate and future needs.

Ability to build strong effective relationships with cross functional teams (Program, Purchasing, Finance, Engineering).

Onsite collaboration expected for at least 4 days per week.

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!

This position is a salary grade 5 and ranges from $65,100-$109,300.

This position is a salary grade 6 and ranges from $74,300-$124,500.

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86,600-$144,900.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$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.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-DW1

#VehicleHardwareEngineering

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.

Ford Motor Company Careers

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.

Work You’ll Do

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.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

Ford’s commitment to excellence is why we are a leader in the automotive sector. We offer a variety of career paths, from engineering to marketing, all designed to foster professional and personal growth. Our team benefits from Ford’s commitment to professional development and networking opportunities, ensuring that every team member can reach their full potential.

Innovative Work

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.

Be Part of a Great Team

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.

Future-Proof Your Career

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.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a student interested in an internship, Ford has opportunities that will harness your skills and ignite your ambition. Our hiring process is straightforward and respectful, designed to match your skills and passions with the right position.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Ready to start your journey with Ford? Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that’s building the future of transportation.

Keep Up to Date

Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here.

Job Alert Emails

Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities awaiting you at Ford Motor Company. Join us at Ford, where we go further so you can go farther in your career.
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

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Ford Motor Company

More Manufacturing & Automotive Jobs

Find similar Product Development Engineer-Interior/Exterior Hardware Integration jobs: