Studio X Chief Designer

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.

Join us in shaping the future of Ford Motor Company, as part of a global organization with exceptional colleagues in world-class facilities. As part of Ford Design, you’ll be at the cutting edge of Ford’s most strategically critical work, designing people and society’s needs into the heart of our next generation of products, services, and experiences.

The Studio X Digital Design Chief reports to the Director of Design Operations and leads Design Visualization, Research & Development, and Digital Technologies globally. This leader defines the strategic digital roadmap for the Global Design organization while ensuring operational excellence, rigorous data security, and high-performing team management.

• Digital
  
  Roadmap:
  
  Define and execute a long-term global digital support strategy and transformation roadmap to enhance creativity and efficiency across Global Design.
• Emerging Tech & AI: Evaluate and implement emerging digital tools, including AI, procedural workflow automation, and immersive technologies (AR/VR/MR).
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with Program teams, Engineering, IT, Corporate Security, and Marketing to align digital initiatives with brand vision and future product strategies.

• End-to-End Pipelines: Oversee high-fidelity rendering, narrative animation, real-time visualization, and immersive digital simulation pipelines.
• Media Services: Manage comprehensive photography (including drone and documentary) and professional videography/editing services for the Design studio.
• Quality & Delivery: Establish and enforce rigorous quality standards and review processes to ensure on-time delivery of all Studio X assets.
• Executive Presentation: Support Marketing and Strategy teams with Executive Leadership Team (ELT) presentations and Market Research stimuli; confidently pitch and facilitate project reviews for senior leadership.

• Hardware Lifecycle: Manage procurement, maintenance, and life cycles for high-performance workstations, AR/VR head-mounted displays, MicroLED displays, printers, and data management systems.
• Software & SaaS: Oversee software licensing, SaaS usage, vendor negotiations, enterprise agreements, and corporate compliance.
• ROI Optimization: Ensure maximum ROI on all hardware and software acquisitions through pipeline automation and licensing efficiencies.

• IP Protection: Implement data governance and security protocols for design imagery and highly sensitive, pre-production data.
• Access Control: Create, implement, and enforce strict physical access-control policies for all secure design studios and spaces.

• Culture & Performance: Foster a highly collaborative, accountable, and engaged studio culture. Lead OKR/KPI development and performance management.
• HR & Personnel Management: Assist the Design Operations Director with personnel programs, including performance reviews, salary planning, employee counseling, and training plans.
• Mentorship &
  
  Coaching:
  
  Serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, and mentor team members through complex, ambiguous challenges.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Design, Industrial Design, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 10+ years in Automotive Design, high-end product visualization, or digital design (in-studio program experience preferred).
• Project Management: Proven experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder multimedia projects and budgets.
• Technical Expertise: Extensive knowledge of modern digital tools, hardware, data governance, IP protection, and the overall Product Development/Design process.
• Leadership: Strong business acumen with demonstrated leadership skills in hiring, developing, and inspiring creative technical…