Ford Motor Company

SET Leader

Ford Motor Company$110K — $130K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
  • 5+ years of experience with liftgate/tailgates, exterior/interior trim, mechanics, and rear lighting.
  • Preferred experience in Design & Release Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Vehicle Engineering.
  • Capability to use CATIA v.5 or 3DX for CAD-related tasks.
  • Knowledgeable in Systems Engineering Fundamentals and Design Thinking.

Responsibilities

  • Lead product development engineering for new vehicle lines.
  • Manage sub-systems in the assigned SET zone to optimize efficiency.
  • Develop and maintain supplier relationships and understand their capabilities.
  • Champion trade-off discussions using data to balance engineering targets.
  • Drive cross-functional issue resolution across multiple departments.

Benefits

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
  • Flexible family care days and paid parental leave.
  • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members.
  • Tuition assistance for continued education.
  • Generous paid time off and holidays, including time for community service.
Full Job Description
Job Description

This role will be at the helm of leading product development engineering of new vehicle lines. There are multiple engineers reporting directly to this position with primary focus to enable full systems integration, resulting in minimized part counts, complexity, labor hours, and service time. In this role, we will look for you to focus teams on Engineering First Principles to re-think Product Development, breaking from the traditional designs of the past. You will be tasked with delivering breakthrough efficiencies and full lifecycle cost improvements. You will work with teams across Ford and serve as the Engineering leader of the designated SET zone to setup multiple new vehicle programs prior to hand-off to Vehicle Hardware Integration and Application Engineering teams.

Responsibilities

In this position...

The SET zone for this role consists of the following sub-systems of the vehicle:
  • Pick-up trucks - box structure, tailgate system, hardware/locks/mechanisms, box top moldings, exterior trim, exterior lighting, electrical distribution system.
  • SUV's - liftgate system, backlite, rear wiper / washer system, exterior trim, rear exterior lighting, hardware/locks/mechanisms, dynamic sealing, interior liftgate trim, electrical distribution system, rear fascias.
  • Manage SET zone, through Systems Design methodology, to identify and deliver cost / weight efficiencies, component part reductions, quality improvement, labor savings, and service efficiency.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with Tier 1 suppliers and understand their technical capabilities.
  • Champion trade-off discussions using data to balance targets for assigned SET zone and co-lead content and attribute proposals with Program Chief Engineering and Vehicle Engineering.
  • Lead SET zone target setting, through extensive benchmarking and leverage Core Engineering team opportunities / technology.


What you'll do...
  • Collaborate with team members and external partners on packaging, weight, cost, labor, timing, and integration from a systems perspective according to assigned vehicle zone and content.
  • Lead Systems Technical Design and Compatibility Reviews to optimize designs, resolve issues, and deliver all Program Milestones on-time / on-target. Often leading review with Ford leadership.
  • Drive SET Adherence to Systems Engineering Operating Principles.
  • Drive cross-functional issue resolution (including program, finance, quality, attribute, manufacturing, STA, studio, suppliers, etc.). Support escalation when needed.
  • Collaborate with SET members and external partners for System Level Engineering Sign-Off and handover to Hardware Integration and Application Engineering teams.


Qualifications

You'll have...
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
  • 5+ years of experience with one or more of the following systems: liftgate / tailgates, rear end exterior / interior trim, hardware/locks/mechanisms, rear lighting, rear fascias / bumpers.
  • Design & Release Engineering, Systems Engineering or Vehicle Engineering experience is preferred.
  • Capability to pull down CAD in CATIA v.5 or 3DX and create sections / take measurements.
  • Must have the knowledge of Systems Engineering Fundamental and Design Thinking.
  • Demonstrates critical thinking, courage, humility, decisiveness, flexibility, knowledge, vision, communications.
  • Ability to work in dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to show initiative.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills (open, clear, and inclusive)
  • Excellent leadership skills with demonstrated ability to deliver results.
  • Demonstrated organizational & 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, Studio, Purchasing, Finance, Engineering).
  • Strong technical capability and problem-solving skills.
  • Fluent in English Speaking and Writing.
  • Onsite collaboration required for at least 4-days per week.
  • Willingness to travel on limited basis for assembly plant line walks, supplier site visits, and benchmarking exercises.


Even better, you may have...
  • Master's in Systems Engineering or Engineering preferred.
  • 10+ years' experience in product engineering design environment.
  • Demonstrated Production Launch experience.
  • Demonstrated experience with program management.
  • Strong fundamentals and working knowledge of the Cost Process and Functional Led Cost/Appearance Delivery Process.
  • Effective coaching skills.
  • Strong fundamentals and working knowledge of Global Product Development Systems processes.
  • Strong understanding of Teamcenter, Bill of Materials management.
  • CAD authoring capability in CATIA v.5 or 3DX.


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.

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/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

#VehicleHardwareEngineering #LI-CW1

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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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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