Class A - Surface Designer
About The Position
Ford Motor Company is hiring a Class A Surface Designer within Ford Design. Surface Development Primary leads program surface quality and Class A surface work, integrating engineering requirements while maintaining the design vision. The role is part of a global organization focused on designing products, services, and experiences around the needs of people and society. The position leads surface progression, cross-system surface execution, and coordination of program surface interfaces and data. It incorporates technical, attribute, and program requirements into surface work while preserving design intent, manages surface changes and program design records, and leads issue resolution through reviews. The role also supports workload planning and mentors Class A Surface Designers in delivering feasible surfaces aligned with program milestones. This position is hybrid; candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub may be required to work onsite four or more days per week.
Requirements
- At least 5 years of experience in Class A Surfacing across exterior and interior commodities and total vehicle system compatibility.
- Creative and artistic insight, with the ability to ensure surface data progresses consistently with Design Language.
- Strong technical skills with Class A surfacing tools, data management, and visualization tools, such as ICEM Surf, CATIA ISD, Alias, Teamcenter, and Reference Manager.
- High school diploma or GED.
Nice To Haves
- Associate degree or equivalent; bachelor's degree preferred.
- Strong understanding of the design development and feasibility process and how it drives design through FC, UPVX, and FAA GPDS milestones.
- Understanding of craftsmanship, the DPA process, and system compatibility.
- Proven ability to evaluate design alternatives and provide a recommendation.
- Interpersonal skills, including the ability to plan and organize work using departmental project management tools such as Surface Tracker and Surface Change Request System.
- Ability to develop and track a plan to deliver geometry through GPDS milestones.
- Good communication skills and collaborative behavior for daily interaction with Design Studio, Engineering, Manufacturing, and other affected activities.
- Knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
Responsibilities
- Lead program surface progression, Design surface expert evaluations, and the critique sheet process.
- Lead cross-system surface execution to ensure full system surface compatibility.
- Confirm program surface interfaces are Designed-in-Context to a coordinated data set, including supplier data.
- Develop and maintain a coordinated Class A surface database, such as Reference Manager.
- Incorporate appropriate technical, attribute, and program requirements into surfaces while maintaining the design vision.
- Drive resolution of surface data issues by leading power wall and digital reviews.
- Manage surface changes in SDMS (Surface Data Management system).
- Maintain program product structure and part history in Teamcenter to accurately represent design evolution and change control.
- Support the DTO Supervisor with workload distribution and assignment prioritization within the Surfacing Team.
- Facilitate program surface progression through the K-Loops and develop and mentor Class A Surface Designers in delivering feasible math surfaces aligned with program milestones and design intent.
- During K-Loops, lead surface development before Discovery Complete and, after Discovery Complete, lead incorporation of technical requirements into the surface.
- On applicable programs, work with Production Studio after K6 to maintain the design vision through surface verification.
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.
- Established and active 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.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
High school or GED
