Casting Engineering Supervisor

Ford Motor Company • Dearborn, MI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Casting Manufacturing Engineering Supervisor leads and develops a team to ensure high-quality, efficient casting designs and manufacturing processes. The role requires experience leading cross-functional teams in fast-paced manufacturing environments and knowledge of casting alloys and processes, including gravity, low-pressure, and high-pressure die casting. Knowledge of core-making processes and materials is also useful.

The supervisor drives the New Model Launch of Complex Casting (NMLCC) process, supporting the development and implementation of manufacturing-feasible casting designs and processes for new Powertrain program launches. The role works with product engineering, manufacturing engineering, suppliers, purchasing, and Ford plants to support feasibility assessments, prototype planning and delivery, supplier development, quality improvement, process troubleshooting, and continuous improvement. The position also evaluates emerging process and material technologies and performs supervisory duties, including goal setting, development discussions, and performance reviews.

Travel may be required domestically and internationally, from approximately 25% to 60% of the time. Higher travel needs may involve working on-site with a plant or supplier for approximately three months to one and a half years. For out-of-state assignments, employees are allowed to travel home every other weekend under HR guidelines.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Engineering in Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Metallurgy, or Materials Science; an MBA or MS is preferred.
• At least 10 years of manufacturing experience.
• At least 6 years of casting experience.
• Ability to lead a team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present, persuade, and collaborate at all levels of the organization.
• Working-level knowledge of casting, post-processing, and die-development processes.
• Working-level knowledge of core-making processes and materials.
• Knowledge of casting secondary operations, including trimming, fettling, deburring, and quality checks.
• Knowledge of iron and aluminum casting alloys.
• Understanding of MagmaSoft or other casting simulation software results.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Self-motivation and ability to drive change and influence engineering decisions, with or without authority.
• Experience performing casting manufacturing feasibility assessments.
• Foundry operational experience in casting manufacturing processes and process control.
• Track record of delivering major product launches in an automotive manufacturing facility.
• Ability to work in a production setting and troubleshoot supplier equipment and processes, using practical problem-solving skills in situations with limited standardization.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally; travel may range from approximately 25% to 60% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or MS degree.

Responsibilities

• Drive the New Model Launch of Complex Casting (NMLCC) process, providing a framework for cross-functional teams to create program- and component-specific plans for manufacturing-feasible casting designs and processes supporting new Powertrain program launches.
• Assess employee competencies and support development and upskilling; mentor less experienced employees within and outside the organization in Casting Engineering.
• Support simultaneous engineering and feasibility studies among product engineering, manufacturing engineering, and supplier organizations.
• Support quality improvement activities, root-cause identification, and defect-elimination strategies.
• Support supplier-selection evaluations through manufacturing assessments and assist Purchasing with supplier and subcontractor evaluation, development, and selection.
• Support casting prototype planning, process development, and scheduling.
• Support on-time quality prototype delivery of new Ford components at internal and external supplier facilities.
• Evaluate emerging processes and material technologies for potential application to Ford products.
• Support Product Engineering in selecting and specifying component materials and test procedures.
• Assist Ford manufacturing plants with significant engineering issues and continuous improvement for new programs and current production.
• Provide technical support to Purchasing, including Component Buyers and Supplier Technical Assistance, to resolve casting productivity and quality issues and develop external casting suppliers.
• Perform supervisory duties, including objective and goal development, development discussions, and performance reviews.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new-parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup child care.
• 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: Senior