Heat Treatment Manufacturing Engineer; Ohio

Job Description

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.

As part of our Manufacturing team, you'll help build the world-class, state-of-the-art smart vehicles we're known for. In our plants around the world, we're constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You'll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.

In this position...

This position provides an exciting opportunity to specify, procure, qualify, and implement equipment and processes for heat treatment and metallurgical processing (carburizing, vacuum carburizing, induction hardening, shot peening, laser welding, and automation) applied to gears and transmission / axle components. The role owns the full equipment lifecycle — from specification through installation and start-up — ensuring manufacturing feasibility, robust process design, and achievement of program cost, quality, and delivery targets.

What you'll do...

• Specify, procure, and qualify equipment / tooling for metallurgical processing (carburizing, vacuum, induction hardening, shot peening, laser welding, automation).
• Implement qualified machines and processes into manufacturing systems at powertrain plants.
• Drive continuous improvement and adoption of new technologies, materials, and methods in heat treatment.
• Lead the equipment acquisition process end-to-end: technical specification (RFQ), supplier evaluation / selection, and Purchase Requisition s — in partnership with Purchasing.
• Own full equipment delivery: design, supplier runoff, shipment, installation, commissioning, and start-up (power-on) at production facilities.
• Manage supplier / integrator contracts, ensuring adherence to technical specs, deadlines, and safety requirements.
• Hold financial ownership of the project: cost estimates, checkbook control, and PO tracking within authorized budgets.
• Develop and manage timing plans, identifying deviations and driving recovery actions.
• Ensure complete supplier documentation (manuals, drawings, spare parts lists, maintenance plans). Support process documentation (flow charts, PFMEA, DCP, process sheets, gauging instructions, control charts).
• Apply Failure Mode Avoidance tools (PFMEA, Control Plan, SCCAF, Error Proofing) to mitigate program risks.
• Develop standardized engineering solutions, ensuring ergonomics, safety, productivity, and process compliance.
• Support operating strategies (plant layout, spare parts, visual factory, scrap disposal) to improve quality and reduce cost.
• Act as main interface between engineering, suppliers (OEMs), plants, maintenance, and internal areas (purchasing, quality, safety, facilities).
• Partner with cross-functional teams and product design to meet program cost, quality, and delivery targets.
• Escalate technical / program issues with significant cost, schedule, or scope impact.
• Coordinate manpower planning to ensure skilled trades availability for installation.
• Prepare and present status reports and executive updates on cost, schedule, and quality indicators.
• This role requires frequent travel (~75%), most of them to Ohio (Cincinnati area), to stay there for all the week (Monday AM - Friday lunch).

You'll have...

Education & Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical, Materials, Mechanical, Industrial/Production Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years in manufacturing engineering, including metallurgical background.
• High-volume, ferrous-based metallurgical processing experience (heat treatment, welding, surface treatments).
• Proven track record leading equipment acquisition, installation, and commissioning projects.
• Experience in supplier / technical procurement (RFQ) and CAPEX budget / schedule control.
• Experience in a manufacturing plant environment.

Technical Knowledge
• Heat treatment processes: continuous / batch furnaces, controlled atmospheres, carburizing, hardenability.
• Vacuum carburizing experience is a plus.
• Gear…