Ford Motor Company

Prototype Engineering Design Manager

Ford Motor Company • $115K — $218K *
Dearborn, MI 48126In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Reposted Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, design, or equivalent
  • 5+ years in automotive engineering or design with vehicle systems knowledge
  • 5+ years leading complex projects and teams
  • 5+ years using prototype manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and clay modeling
  • 5+ years experience with design/PLM software (e.g., Catia, 3DX)
  • Strong problem-solving ability and creative thinking
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead the engineering and design of prototypes for concept vehicles and systems
  • Support prototype build plans, ensuring timely and quality data delivery
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage scope, timing, and budgets
  • Identify design feasibility concerns and propose robust solutions
  • Seek and implement process efficiencies and opportunities for improvement
  • Stay informed on industry trends to enhance prototype development

Benefits

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
  • Flexible family care days and paid parental leave options
  • Family building benefits including adoption and fertility treatment reimbursements
  • Vehicle discount program for employees and family
  • Tuition assistance for continued education
  • Active employee resource groups for support and networking
  • Paid time off for community service efforts
  • Generous paid holidays, including extra time around Christmas and New Year's
  • Option to purchase additional vacation time
Full Job Description
Job Description

In this position...

As a Prototype Engineering Design Manager you will lead a team of product engineering designers tp bring concepts to life in the form of functional high-fidelity prototypes. Leveraging your expertise in automotive design and/or engineering you will have the opportunity to see the future of Ford firsthand and play a pivotal role in the early-stage development of the next generation of Ford vehicle content and experiences. This role requires a deep understanding of automotive systems and subsystems, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage complex projects from conception to completion.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...
  • Lead a team to engineer / design prototypes which include:
    • Show / Concept / Pre-Production vehicles
    • Interior and exterior systems (Ex: Lighting, Closures, Instruments Panels, Consoles, Seats)
    • Interior and exterior components (Ex: Buttons, nobs and switches)
    • Interior and exterior clay model armatures
  • Support the development of prototype build plans, lead the team through delivering data on time and with quality
  • Work collaboratively with design, engineering, marketing and program teams to align on scope of work, build timing and budget - managing those throughout the prototype build cycle
  • Leverage background in automotive systems and subsystems to identify and document design and engineering feasibility concerns and support the identification of robust solutions.
  • Identify areas of opportunity and process efficiencies and action those as appropriate
  • Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to continuously improve prototypes.


Qualifications

You'll have...
  • Bachelors degree in engineering, design, or equivalent
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment
  • 5+ years of experience working in automotive engineering and/or design with a strong understanding of vehicle level systems and subsystems
  • 5+ years of experience leading complex projects and project teams - leveraging program management tools as appropriate
  • 5+ years of experience leveraging prototype manufacturing techniques to build high fidelity prototypes such as additive manufacturing (3D Printing), milling, fiberglass layups, clay modeling, etc.
  • 5+ years of experience with design / PLM software such as Catia, 3DX, Teamcenter, Alias etc.
  • 5+ years of experience working collaboratively with design, engineering, product marketing and program management
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Even better, you may have...
  • Masters degree in design, engineering or equivalent
  • 5+ years of experience in prototype software design and development, with a focus on prototyping and rapid iteration.
  • Fluent in various CAD software such as Catia, Rhino, Alias, etc.
  • Experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence, or other advanced technologies.

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 leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500-$218,100.

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

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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. #LI-Hybrid #DesignTeam #LI-DP1

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.

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

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