Rear Closures Application 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...
The candidate will work with internal and external customers to develop competitive cost & weight efficient designs that meet all manufacturing and functional performance requirements

- The candidate will work with internal and external suppliers to procure components and assemblies for verification/validation testing and execute the design validation plan

- The candidate will lead on site build support and issue resolution for prototype, production pre-builds and production of responsible components and systems

- In addition to future model programs, the candidate will deliver current model quality and cost improvements

What you'll do...

- The Product Development Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis. This role also includes facilitating supplier data integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements

- The Product Development Engineer is expected to understand and effectively utilize product check-in/check-out processes, version control, data release, and change management within Ford's PLM ecosystem

- The Product Development Engineer will perform feasibility analyses using CAD tools, including draft angle analysis, undercut detection, minimum bend radius validation for sheet metal, and clearance checks to support manufacturing and machining requirements

- Additionally, the candidate will be responsible to engineer the required CAD and lead analytical and physical analysis to deliver a system that will meet all prescribed requirements

- As the program matures, responsibilities will shift to product testing, delivering PSW, and launching within one of Ford's many assembly plants

You'll have...

• - BS Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering or a related field
• - 8+ years of professional experience in the Automotive or Aerospace industry (experience with hinged closures is preferred)
• - 5+ years of experience on rear closures systems for forward model vehicles with direct ownership of part engineering, system engineering, and part release to meet cost, weight, quality, functional performance, studio appearance, craftmanship, test validation, manufacturing feasibility, and launch timing requirements(e.g. tailgates, liftgates, swing gates, side doors, cargo doors, moveable roof systems)
• - Experience with sheet metal body structures, closures, stamping, static and/or dynamic sealing, power/gas struts, power drive units/motors, and hinges
• - 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

Even better, if you have ...

• - Experience interfacing with design studio on resolution of design issues related to Exterior Rear Closures system.
• - 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 craftsmanship expectations, benchmarking, and futuring.
• -…