Research and Advanced Electrified Propulsion Systems Engineer

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.

In this position...

Develop and integrate innovative, next-generation electrified powertrain systems and technologies for future products, with an emphasis on groundbreaking electrified vehicles. Our Research and Advanced Engineering (R&A) organization is growing and is in search of outstanding, first-principles-driven individuals to help shape the direction of our next-generation electrified propulsion systems.

As part of a fast-paced team that designs new electrified powertrains from scratch (including pioneering platforms like the first electric F-150 and other highly confidential advanced vehicle programs), successful applicants will bridge the gap between high-level systems architecture and hands-on prototype execution. You will lead the physical, functional, and controls integration of advanced subsystems (including energy storage, drive units, power electronics, and thermal systems) and develop systems-level tradeoffs to optimize vehicle-level attributes.

This role is ideal for engineers who love "clean-sheet" development and want a highly hands-on role in developing new prototype vehicles where the answer isn t always known.

• Clean-Sheet System Architecture:
  Provide systems engineering expertise for advanced propulsion designs, including understanding how subsystem sizing, high-voltage architectures, thermal limits, and packaging affect vehicle-level attributes (such as performance, range, efficiency, and charging behavior).
• Subsystem Sizing & Selection:
  Work with component, simulation, and vehicle program teams to size, select, and define subsystem architectures for advanced propulsion systems based on multiple competing priorities (e.g., power, energy, mass, thermal capacity, cost).
• Prototype Integration & Commissioning:
  Support the integration, wiring/control interfacing, and initial commissioning of advanced propulsion subsystems (energy storage, drive units, thermal management, power electronics, and controls) into advanced prototype vehicles, breadboards, and dyno test beds.
• Cross-Functional Leadership:
  Lead cross-functional projects (including e-motor, power electronics, energy storage, driveline, high-voltage distribution, thermal management, controls, calibration, and simulation) to develop requirements, attribute assessments, robustness assessments, and design verification plans.
• Trade-off Analysis:
  Work with vehicle simulation, thermal, and component teams to assess propulsion system design tradeoffs between thermal, packaging, NVH, and hardware/software solutions.
• Hands-on Testing & Troubleshooting:
  Perform hands-on troubleshooting and diagnostics on prototype vehicles and benches when things don t work as planned.
• Data-Driven Design:
  Collect and analyze propulsion system and vehicle test data (from lab benches, dynos, and on-road testing) to optimize and validate the holistic propulsion system design.
• Systems Engineering Rigor:
  Apply systems engineering and problem-solving tools and methods (Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DFMEAs) for system and technology concept development, cascading requirements, and project scoping.
• Technical Reviews:
  Prepare and present concise technical project reviews to senior management and technical leadership.

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or related field
• 2 years prior experience with electrified systems, including the sizing, packaging, testing, and integration of powertrain subsystems (e.g., energy storage, drive units, power electronics, or thermal systems; can include college-level work like Formula SAE)
• Ability and interest to design clean-sheet advanced propulsion systems using first principles approach to component selection and design
• Demonstrated experience working with cross functional teams and driving development issues to resolution
• Hands-on experience in conducting bench and vehicle-level tests
• Passion for and understanding of all…