Associate Chassis Engineer

Ford • Long Beach, CA

6d • $100,400 - $168,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

As an Associate Chassis Engineer, you will drive the design, development, and execution of novel chassis components and subsystems, including brakes, steering, wheels, tires, and suspension platforms. You will apply first-principles engineering and advanced manufacturing techniques to optimize driving dynamics, efficiency, structural mass, and cost. Working across concept development, physical and virtual validation, and full-vehicle testing, you will help deliver vehicle attributes for Ford's next-generation vehicle portfolio.

The role includes developing chassis concepts; defining data-driven system requirements and performance targets; evaluating manufacturing, assembly, and service feasibility; using engineering analysis tools to simulate and refine designs; and leading component, subsystem, and full-vehicle testing. You will evaluate braking, steering, ride, and handling on production vehicles, prototype test mules, and driver-in-the-loop simulators, then analyze data to troubleshoot issues and improve performance.

This is a hybrid position requiring onsite work four or more days per week. The position is classified as GSR-6, with a salary range of $100,400–$168,000. Visa sponsorship is available. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• One year of cumulative automotive engineering experience or related mobility-sector experience.
• Solid foundation in statics, dynamics, materials, and thermal engineering, with practical application to complex vehicle systems and manufacturing processes.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD modeling.
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills and a track record of effective cross-functional partnership.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to electric vehicle platforms.
• 3DEXPERIENCE CAD experience.
• Knowledge of chassis architectures, kinematics, elastokinematics, and vehicle dynamics fundamentals.
• Understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes, including castings, forgings, stampings, and extrusions.
• Knowledge of GD&T and technical drawing practices per ASME standards.
• Knowledge of agile project tracking and technical documentation tools such as Atlassian JIRA and Confluence.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop chassis concepts for brakes, steering, suspension, wheels, and tires, balancing driving dynamics, vehicle mass, cost, efficiency, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Challenge legacy design requirements and define data-driven, first-principles specifications for system sizing, functional performance, and safety attributes.
• Align system performance targets with regulatory standards, customer requirements, and vehicle dynamics.
• Evaluate manufacturing, assembly, and service feasibility in collaboration with manufacturing, service, and launch teams.
• Use advanced engineering analysis tools to simulate, stress-test, and iterate design proposals before physical builds.
• Lead design, build, and validation testing at component, subsystem, and full-vehicle levels.
• Conduct subjective and objective evaluations of braking, steering, ride, and handling across production vehicles, prototype test mules, and driver-in-the-loop simulators.
• Analyze test data to troubleshoot root causes, iterate designs, and refine vehicle performance attributes.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level