Product Development Engineer - Core Latch Engineer

Product Development Engineer - Core Latch Engineer

Dearborn, MI, United States (Hybrid)

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

The candidate will work with internal and external customers to develop competitive cost & weight efficient closer latches, and closer latching system designs. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for engineering the required CAD and lead analytical and physical analysis to deliver a system that will meet all prescribed requirements.

The candidate will be responsible for establishing closer latching strategy, reducing latching complexity, developing and maintaining latch requirements and design rules, ensuring that the latching system works seamlessly with the entire vehicle mechanical and electrical architecture. The candidate will lead root cause and resolution of latching issues during vehicle development and in field. The candidate will also be responsible for latch product testing, latch deliverables during the development process.

• BS Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering or a related field
• 3+ years of professional experience in the Automotive or Aerospace industry (experience with hinged closures is preferred)
• Experience with latch and latch system design and development
• Hands‑on experience with “in‑house” engineering, design, and release, as well as managing full‑service supplier commodities, with on‑time delivery at cost & quality targets
• Design and Release/Product Development Engineer/ Closures Commodity Subject Matter Expert experience
• Ability to work overtime & travel to support launches and issue resolution
• CAD experience
• 2 years of professional experience in the Automotive or Aerospace industry
• 3+ years of direct experience in vehicle closer latching systems (e.g. tailgates, liftgates, swing gates, side doors, cargo doors) a plus
• Experience leading peers via Design reviews to resolve part‑to‑part interface issues and deliver a successful system
• Experience solving current model quality issues and implementing corrective actions
• Ability to utilize and demonstrate System engineering disciplines and Design for Manufacturing principles to proactively solve issues
• Knowledge of automotive exterior components, including materials and manufacturing technologies, such as stamping, injection molding, extrusion, forging, casting, welding, riveting, etc.
• Experience with bolted joint structures
• Experience with Structural mechanics
• Experience with Systems engineering
• Experience with latching vehicle electronics integration
• Experience with latching vehicle software integration
• Working knowledge of FEA, DFMEA, Control Plan development, & Dimensional Variation Analysis
• Ability to operate within CATIA/3DX environment, Teamcenter Engineering, and Digital Buck
• CATIA/3DX ability to create simple parts, sections, and studies a plus
• Capability with Microsoft Suite of products (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

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!

• 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…