Ford Motor Company

Thermal Systems Engineer

Ford Motor Company$90K — $120K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent in relevant field
  • 3+ years of experience in thermal system design or component engineering
  • Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics
  • Experience with modeling and simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink
  • Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages
  • Preferred: Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
  • Familiarity with EV thermal management systems and vehicle communication protocols.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design, development, and integration of fluid thermal management loops
  • Architect and develop coolant subsystems connecting HV battery and other components
  • Define thermal and hydraulic performance specifications for subsystem components
  • Evaluate and select components based on performance, cost, and reliability
  • Develop and maintain high-fidelity models simulating thermal and hydraulic behavior
  • Conduct thermal and fluidic analysis to ensure performance targets are met
  • Collaborate with engineers to validate models through characterization tests.

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
  • Vehicle discount programs for employees and family
  • Tuition assistance for continued education
  • Active employee resource groups
  • Paid time off for community service initiatives
  • Generous paid holiday schedule including Christmas to New Year.
Full Job Description
Job Description

In this position...
Join our dynamic and agile team pioneering Ford's EV future. As a Thermal Systems Engineer focused on the coolant subsystem, you will be responsible for the "circulatory system" of our electric passenger vehicles. Your work is vital to vehicle safety, longevity, and efficiency, as you design the systems that regulate the temperature of the high-voltage (HV) battery, drive units, power electronics, and other components. You will balance complex trade-offs between system performance, energy consumption, and cost to ensure peak performance in all use cases.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...

You will lead the design, development, and integration of fluid-based thermal management loops.

Lead the architecture, design, and development of coolant subsystems that interact with HV battery, drive unit, power electronics, refrigeration, and HVAC components.

Define detailed thermal and hydraulic performance specifications for individual components (e.g., pumps, valves, heat exchangers, fans, hoses, degas bottles, etc.) within the coolant subsystem.

Work with application engineers to evaluate and select appropriate components based on performance requirements, cost, packaging constraints, and reliability targets.

Develop, calibrate, and maintain high-fidelity plant models that accurately simulate thermal and hydraulic behavior of the subsystem's components.

Conduct detailed thermal and fluidic analysis to ensure components meet specified performance targets under various operating conditions.

Collaborate with test engineers to define and execute component and subsystem characterization tests to validate and refine plant models.

Work closely with the Design Engineers to ensure component designs meet thermal and mechanical requirements, and with the Controls Engineer who will use the plant models for algorithm development.

Ensure traceability between high-level system requirements and detailed component specifications.

Qualifications

You'll have...

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

3+ years of experience in thermal system design or component engineering.

Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics principles.

Experience with physical system modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, etc.).

Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages for model development.

Even better, you may have...
Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.

Experience with EV thermal management systems.

Familiarity with vehicle communication protocols (CAN, LIN) for controlling smart pumps and valves.

Strong collaborative skills to work across hardware and software teams in a fast-paced EV development environment.

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.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSRSP4

This position is a range of salary grades 7-8 .

Visa sponsorship is 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 #LI-JD2 #UEV

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 Thermal Systems Engineer jobs: