Design Technologist & Prototyper

The Experience Strategy & Design team brings together product designers, design technologists, and prototypers to explore what is possible across Ford's digital and physical vehicle ecosystem. The team works in small, fast-moving groups to define next-generation in-vehicle experiences and create the physical and interactive prototypes needed to evaluate them early.

Experience Strategy & Design team brings together product designers, design technologists, and prototypers to explore what is possible across Ford's digital and physical vehicle ecosystem. The team works in small, fast-moving groups to define next-generation in-vehicle experiences and create the physical and interactive prototypes needed to evaluate them early. Rather than focusing only on individual features, the team connects concepts, customer needs, technical capabilities, hardware, and software into cohesive vehicle experiences.

These prototypes are used for design reviews, leadership demonstrations, research clinics, and vehicle-based evaluations so ideas can be tested, improved, and prepared for delivery.

We are looking for a hands‑on Design Technologist & Prototyper who loves building, experimenting, and bringing ideas into the physical world. You will work alongside designers, researchers, and engineers to transform early concepts into tangible prototypes that can be installed, demonstrated, tested, and improved.

Physical building is the core of this job. You should be excited to spend much of your day in a shop or Makerspace cutting, fitting, assembling, modifying, troubleshooting, and helping teammates complete builds. Basic computer and CAD skills are helpful, but advanced digital design or Figma expertise is not required. CAD and other digital tools can be learned on the job.

We welcome candidates from many backgrounds, including high school or vocational programs, shop classes, Makerspaces, garages, fabrication environments, automotive enthusiast communities, technical trades, personal projects, and entry‑level roles. We are more interested in what you have built, how you learned, and your willingness to contribute than in a specific number of years of experience.

This role is onsite in Palo Alto, CA.

• Build physical prototypes from rough concepts through cleaner, testable versions using a variety of tools, materials, and fabrication methods.
• Cut, fit, assemble, modify, and install prototype parts on workbenches and in vehicles.
• Help teammates complete builds from start to finish, including the detailed, routine, and physical work required to deliver a successful prototype.
• Use and learn shop equipment, including 3D printers and other fabrication tools and machines.
• Translate early concepts into tangible prototypes for design reviews, leadership demonstrations, research clinics, and vehicle-based evaluations.
• Rapidly change, repair, or rebuild prototypes when feedback changes the original direction.
• Support vehicle disassembly, installation, reassembly, and hands‑on prototype testing as needed.
• Keep the Makerspace operating smoothly by organizing tools, maintaining machines, stocking materials, and keeping the workspace clean and safe.
• Document build steps, decisions, challenges, and lessons learned so the work can be repeated and improved by others.
• Continue learning new tools, machines, materials fabrication methods, and basic digital or CAD processes.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience building, fabricating, modifying, repairing, or prototyping something you can show and discuss. Personal projects, school or shop classes, employment, hobbyist projects, vehicle projects, and team builds all count.
• Hands‑on experience using…