Product Development Engineer-Pre-Program Strategy and Implementation

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.

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!

In this position... Pre-Program Strategy and Implementation Engineer will lead and manage new powertrain projects including ICE Transmissions, Power Split Transmissions, and Power Units. You will develop the new strategies when we bring on a full-service supplier vs internally made products. This will be done in the lens of maintaining quality, meeting vehicle requirements, as well as a large focus on minimizing our complexity through the company.

You will set timelines, budget and coordinate with cross-functional teams in planning, manufacturing, supply chain, and product development to determine the efficiencies of an in-house vs. externally purchased unit. Will own the system's lifecycle from concept through release, ensuring seamless integration and adherence to vehicle targets.

The automotive industry is quickly moving towards a greater number of new powertrains to meet customer and market demands, many of which are new BEV and Hybrid programs. With this shift, there is an expanding need for development of new and unique powertrain architectures. Your work will span from the product concepts to full scale production, with an emphasis on quality, cost, weight, and functional performance.

• The D&R 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 D&R 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 D&R 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.

What you'll do...

• Launch new powertrain architectures through the unit approval process, garnering investment approvals to lead next generation powertrains into our vehicles.
• Develop the new strategies moving forward on complexity vs carryover content.
• Develop the new strategies of moving forward with an internally built unit vs utilizing a full-service supplier to meet program requirements but also minimize complexity.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance program execution, quality and speed.
• Upfront manufacturing studies of make/buy business cases.
• Direct involvement with our manufacturing plants to deliver content that matches manufacturing footprint allocations.
• Establishment of cost targets that align with program targets and content that aligns with those targets.
• Work with purchasing and suppliers to deliver high quality component designs with best cost, weight, and function.
• Navigate through GPDS program gateways and deliverables including design, sourcing, prototype.
• Project management interfacing with cross functional teams.
• Provide estimates and review actuals for cost and timing of externally purchased vs. internally built units.
• Maintain a list of deliverables for each milestone of the new products.
• Support engineering change control activity and global coordination.
• Support program deliverable assessments, monitor and track issues to closure, engage with plant floor activity from start to finish.
• Support updates and publishing of various program review decks.
• Update indicated cost tracking documents and program checkbooks.
• Technology & Innovation:
  Drive development of advanced propulsion solutions, stay updated on trends, and contribute to technology roadmaps.

You'll have...

BS in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering or a related field.
3+ years of transmission or power unit development experience.

Even better, you may have...Master's in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering or a related field.

Experience working with powertrain manufacturing on early development.

Experience working with powertrain planning.

Clear communication skills and highly motivated to exceed expectations in a constantly changing product landscape.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools.

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your…