Product Development Engineer- Accessories Design & Release

Ford Customization (FC) develops, engineers, releases, validates, and launches a broad portfolio of accessories that complement Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Ford Licensed Accessories (FLA), part of the accessory group, develops products in partnership with suppliers and cross-functional Ford teams.

Ford Customization (FC) develops, engineers, releases, validates, and launches a broad portfolio of accessories that complement Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Ford Licensed Accessories (FLA), part of the accessory group, develops products in partnership with suppliers and cross-functional Ford teams.

The Product Development Engineer (PDE) leads assigned programs from initial concept through production launch and serves as the primary engineering technical lead. The PDE works closely with suppliers, Program Managers, Product Planners, Manufacturing, Design, Base Vehicle Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing to ensure products meet applicable safety, regulatory, quality, functional, timing, and customer expectations. The position requires strong engineering judgment and the ability to evaluate requirements against applicable Ford vehicle requirements to establish realistic product acceptance criteria, build strong supplier relationships, provide technical direction, and resolve engineering issues to ensure successful launches.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Lead and prioritize engineering activities for assigned programs from concept through production launch, including accessories installed at vehicle plants, modification centers, and dealer facilities.
• Lead new-product discussions, design and technical reviews, issue-resolution activities, and weekly engineering project/status meetings; communicate status, risks, actions, and timing to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Establish engineering priorities, monitor milestones, and ensure deliverables—including WERS releases—are completed on schedule to support on-time launches at designated facilities.
• Provide technical guidance to new engineers and demonstrate the full range of PDE responsibilities.
• Follow engineering department processes for efficiency, quality, and consistency, and support continuous improvement through AI and new technologies.
• Partner with Program Managers and Product Planners to assess new product opportunities, engineering assumptions, and feasibility, and to support product-line planning.
• Support business case development and the CFT process with engineering assessments, technical data, cost considerations, timing, and feasibility input.
• Review supplier CAD data, designs, engineering assumptions, packaging studies, environmental considerations, and validation plans.
• Provide CAD and Technical information needed to suppliers to support accessory development.
• Review Product Development Letters (PDLs) and base vehicle changes to identify model-year impacts on existing or future accessories.
• Work with Base Vehicle Design and Release Engineers to understand vehicle changes and ensure accessory compatibility.
• Develop accessory designs directly with suppliers; validate engineering data, resolve technical issues, and confirm products meet established requirements.
• Ensure designs address applicable safety, regulatory, functional, quality, durability, EMC, and vehicle integration requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective supplier relationships, provide clear engineering direction and expectations, and ensure alignment with ESOW requirements.
• Monitor supplier engineering performance and ensure required deliverables are completed according to program timing and quality expectations.
• Evaluate accessory fit, function, appearance, installation, and overall performance;…