Design and Release Engineer-Suspensions

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Motor Company’s Product Development organization uses design thinking and user experience methods to develop products and services. Suspension Design and Release Engineers develop systems and components for multiple programs and meet internal and external customer expectations for part function, fit, quality, and cost. This hybrid position requires onsite work four or more days per week.

The engineer leads suspension component and system design development, coordinates sourcing and supplier technical reviews, and delivers program milestones with quality documentation. The role manages engineering changes and issues, guides validation, leads technical and management design reviews, and coordinates with chassis, vehicle engineering, evaluation, operations, and plant teams. The engineer also supports pre-production builds at a Ford manufacturing facility, contributes to design-rule and requirements development, and supports product quality and warranty reviews after production launch.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering; Mechanical, Aerospace, or Materials Engineering are listed.
• At least 1 year of suspension experience, including internships and coursework.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire.

Nice To Haves

• Master of Science in Engineering; Mechanical, Aerospace, or Materials Engineering are listed.
• 2 or more years of experience in design and release of coil springs and stabilizer bar systems.
• Demonstrated experience in supplier management, launch, and global program delivery.
• Demonstrated technical understanding and leadership.
• Leadership skills in teamwork, prioritization, and project management.
• Hands-on experience with CAD (CATIA and 3Dx) release processes, sourcing processes, creating test requests, and documenting evidence supporting requirements and design rules.
• Passion for zero defects and customer satisfaction, high energy, drive for results, and openness to learning.
• Curiosity and a strong desire to learn Suspension Design and Release Engineering responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of cost-, weight-, and functionally efficient suspension components and systems.
• Collaborate with Ford Purchasing on sourcing suspension components and systems, including conducting supplier technical reviews.
• Deliver program milestone requirements, including in-plant dates, on time and with quality documentation.
• Manage changes to parts and systems and resolve functional, durability, and assembly issues.
• Apply engineering disciplines and documentation, including DFMEA, PFMEA, requirements, design rules, engineering specifications, DVP&R, drawings, control plans, and SCCAF.
• Ensure compatibility with interfacing systems and components, including attaching hardware and joint design.
• Manage multiple suppliers and support Supplier Technical Assistance engineers in delivering quality production parts, including supplier site visits to review processes.
• Guide validation of suspension components and systems by reviewing test loads, setups, reports, and results for vehicle-, system-, and component-level testing, and report requirements in the Ford Engineering Design Environment.
• Lead technical design reviews at required milestones and participate in management reviews, including Suspension Design Review, Suspension Significant Issues, and Chief Engineering Matters Meeting.
• Work with Chassis Architecture, Chassis Systems Engineering, Vehicle Engineering, Vehicle Evaluation and Verification, Vehicle Operations, and the Plant Vehicle Team to deliver production-ready suspension components and systems that meet vehicle performance requirements.
• Work onsite at a Ford manufacturing facility to support pre-production builds and resolve issues during production ramp-up.
• Participate in Suspension Tech Clubs and the Foundation Design Review to influence requirements and design rules and learn about technologies and processes.
• Support warranty reviews and product quality after Job 1 to help achieve quality goals.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare
• 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
• Vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day

What This Job Offers

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