Ford Motor Company

Safety Investigations Engineer

Ford Motor Company$115K — $218K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field (Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Systems)
  • 5+ years of experience in engineering or defect investigation
  • Strong knowledge of vehicle systems and electronic controls
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Outstanding communication skills for technical and legal audience
  • Ability to work well with all management levels

Responsibilities

  • Prepare presentations and reports for technical and non-technical discussions
  • Collaborate on service solutions for field issues with cross-functional teams
  • Lead investigations on safety defects and compliance matters
  • Work with government agencies on compliance audits and investigations
  • Maintain detailed investigation documentation according to retention guidelines
  • Identify lessons-learned opportunities to prevent future recalls
  • Provide technical assistance to legal teams during investigations

Benefits

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
  • Flexible family care days and paid parental leave
  • Adoption and fertility benefits
  • Employee vehicle discount program
  • Tuition assistance and support for community service
  • Generous paid holiday schedule including year-end break
Full Job Description
Job Description

Prepare presentations and reports, including engineering analysis and the coordination of special vehicle/component demonstrations, to be used in both technical and non-technical discussions with all levels of leadership. Work proactively with NHTSA and TC on government investigations and compliance audits. Collaborate with facing organizations in the development of service solutions for potential field issues. Create and maintain investigation documentation in accordance with document retention guidelines and submit regulatory documentation as necessary. Identify potential lessons-learned opportunities in support of the company's efforts to prevent future potential recalls through involvement in stop ships, Prevent Action Closures, Campaign Trends Task Force meetings, SDS development, and other initiatives.

Qualifications

You'll have...
• Act as the lead technical investigator for internal and external safety defect and compliance investigations.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Product Development, Manufacturing, Customer Service, Suppliers) to design special tests, conduct field surveys, and gather the facts necessary to evaluate potential safety and compliance risks.
• Establish and document Ford's engineering positions using rigorous data analysis. Prepare comprehensive reports, presentations, and vehicle demonstrations for technical and non-technical audiences, including executive leadership.
• Work proactively with government agencies (e.g., NHTSA, Transport Canada) on investigations and compliance audits. Provide crucial technical assistance to the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and outside law firms.
• Identify global trends and "lessons learned" from field issues. Inject these insights back into the product development cycle (via stop ships, Task Forces, and design updates) to proactively prevent future recalls.
• Work seamlessly with regional peers and global teams to resolve complex, worldwide vehicle concerns.
• Create & maintain investigation documentation in accordance with document retention guidelines and submit regulatory documentation as necessary.
• Identify potential lessons-learned opportunities in support of the company's efforts to prevent future potential recalls through involvement in stop ships, Prevent Action Closures, Campaign Trends Task Force meetings, SDS development, and other initiatives.
• Provide technical assistance to the OGC, Design Analysis, PD activities, and outside law firms as appropriate.
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in engineering, quality assurance, systems safety, or defect investigation within complex hardware/software environments.
• Strong working knowledge of modern vehicle systems, electronic control units (ECUs), and system architecture.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to conduct rigorous root-cause analysis on highly complex technical issues.
• Outstanding communication skills; you must be able to translate dense engineering data into clear, defensible, and articulate arguments for executive and legal audiences.
• Ability to interface effectively with all levels of management.

Even better, you may have...
High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to effectively navigate high-pressure situations with diverse, cross-functional global teams.

Even better:
• Hands-on experience in Software Development, Software Quality, or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) engineering.
• Prior experience interacting directly with regulatory bodies (NHTSA, Transport Canada, FAA, FDA) or managing government compliance audits.
• A strong understanding of automotive OEM product development lifecycles and manufacturing processes (Ford-specific experience is a plus, but not required).
• Experience providing technical assistance to legal teams, participating in legal investigations, or drafting regulatory documentation.
• Familiarity with functional safety standards such as ISO 26262.

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.
Internal applicants: moving into this role may result in an adjustment to your current compensation based on the posted pay range for this role, taking into consideration your qualifications and other relevant factors.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6

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-FordCredit #LI-RZ1

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.

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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
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1903
5 Year Trend
-2.1%
Revenue
$127.1 billion
NASDAQ

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