Ford Motor Company

Product Development Engineer - Quality - Powertrain Systems & Issue Resolution

Ford Motor Company$86K — $166K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field
  • 3+ years in automotive engineering focusing on technical problem-solving
  • Experience leading root cause analysis with structured methodologies
  • Ability to influence cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment
  • Knowledge of powertrain calibration and vehicle-level data acquisition
  • Proficiency in CAD for quality investigations and six sigma techniques
  • Valid Driver's License for data collection and testing

Responsibilities

  • Drive end-to-end resolution for powertrain control issues
  • Lead cross-functional task forces to identify root causes
  • Influence engineering priorities with data-backed business cases
  • Manage rollout of software updates and service calibrations
  • Track performance post-implementation to verify solutions
  • Orchestrate development of service documentation for technicians
  • Document lessons learned to prevent future issues
  • Support resolution for critical launch quality issues

Benefits

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
  • Flexible family care days and paid parental leave
  • Family building benefits including adoption reimbursement and fertility treatments
  • Employee vehicle discount program and management leases
  • Tuition assistance for further education
  • Active employee resource groups
  • Paid time off for community service and generous holiday schedule
  • Opportunity to purchase additional vacation time
Full Job Description
Job Description

In this position...

We are seeking a Resolution-Focused Quality Engineer to lead the rapid elimination of powertrain controls and calibration-related technical issues. In this role, you will move beyond data observation to own the end-to-end solution. You will serve as the primary driver between Quality, Product Development, and Calibration teams to ensure field issues are contained, resolved, and prevented from recurring in future programs.

This role is a critical bridge within the engineering organization. You will lead cross-functional task forces to navigate complex technical challenges and push engineering fixes through to production and the field. The ideal candidate is a proactive "fixer" with a technical background in Powertrain Systems (ICE, Electrified/xEV, Transmission, or Driveline) and Diagnostics who possesses the influence to drive action and improve customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...
  • Drive End-to-End Resolution: Lead the lifecycle of top powertrain controls and calibration concerns, managing the process from initial field detection to verified implementation of the fix.
  • Lead Technical Task Forces: Orchestrate cross-functional "war rooms" and rapid-response teams to define root causes and execute corrective actions for hardware, software, or calibration concerns.
  • Influence Engineering Priorities: Negotiate with engineering and calibration departments by presenting data-backed technical business cases that demand immediate resolution action.
  • Project Manage Field Fixes: Manage the rollout of software updates and service calibrations, ensuring that Service, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams are aligned to meet aggressive resolution timelines.
  • Verify Solution Effectiveness: Track post-implementation performance in the field to ensure the "fix" successfully resolved the customer concern without introducing secondary failure modes.
  • Orchestrate Service Documentation: Lead the development of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and service instructions to ensure dealership and field technicians can resolve issues efficiently.
  • Enforce Prevent Reoccurrence (PR): Document lessons learned and capture technical data to ensure failure modes are integrated into future design rules and "best practice" calibration sets.
  • Manufacturing & Launch Support: Drive timely resolution for launch-critical quality issues involving system functionality or diagnostic calibrations at the assembly plant.


Qualifications

You'll have...

Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or equivalent) or a related field
  • 3+ years of experience in an automotive engineering role with a focus on technical problem-solving (e.g., Quality, Resident Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Calibration).
  • Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis investigations using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, or Red X).
  • Proven ability to drive results in a matrixed environment where you must influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
  • Working knowledge of powertrain calibration delivery, vehicle-level data acquisition, or diagnostic monitor functionality.
  • The Engineer will be responsible for using CAD to support quality investigations and issue resolution. This roll also requires the usage of six sigma resolution techniques like DMIAC.
  • Valid Driver's License (to support vehicle-level data collection or testing as needed).
  • Please Note: This role is currently posted under the IPTSE - ICE Propulsion Thermal Systems Engineering group, after onboarding this role will be transferred to the VPSE - Vehicle Propulsion Systems Engineering group.


Even better, if you have ...

Preferred
  • Bias for Action: A track record of significantly reducing "Time-to-Fix" metrics for complex technical issues.
  • Quality Certification: Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
  • Project Management Skills: Experience leading "Tiger Teams" or using project management tools (e.g., Jira, ADO) to track issue resolution progress.
  • Technical Toolset: Proficiency with vehicle networking tools (e.g., CANalyzer, INCA, or PUMA) and enterprise quality management systems.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of global emissions and On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulatory requirements.
  • Communication Excellence: Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical failures into clear, actionable executive summaries for senior leadership


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 8 and ranges from $86,600-$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

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.

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#VehicleHardwareEngineering

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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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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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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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