Design and Release Engineer - Body Interior (Door Trim)

Ford Motor Company • Dearborn, MI

2h • $65,100 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Design and Release (D&R) Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, release, and implementation of Body Interior components and systems for assigned vehicle programs, with a focus on door trim. The role leads master-section development and ensures designs support manufacturing efficiency, cost optimization, quality, craftsmanship, ergonomics, serviceability, and overall vehicle performance. The engineer designs parts to comply with corporate and legal requirements and signs off on compliance with Engineering Requirements, Engineering Specifications, Design Rules, and manufacturing, assembly, and service requirements. The role also oversees parts incorporation at the Assembly Plant and addresses design, fit-and-finish, and assembly issues during launch.

The engineer coordinates program deliverables and development activities across product design, suppliers, purchasing, manufacturing, quality, and program teams. Responsibilities span design reviews and CAD/CAE work, sourcing and cost reviews, BOM and part releases, validation and durability testing, change control, supplier readiness and PPAP, and production-launch support. The position is hybrid and requires onsite work four or more days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a similar discipline.
• 3 years of experience with Body Interior systems and components.
• 1 year of CAD experience.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Engineering or a similar discipline.
• Strong 3D CAD knowledge, including opening files, visualization, measurements, and model transfer, and experience with CAE studies.
• Basic knowledge of material properties.
• Basic knowledge of production processes.
• Understanding of craftsmanship and ergonomics principles.
• Experience with Studio Development processes and appearance feasibility.
• Effective project-management skills and cross-functional communication.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with others.
• Vision and knowledge of the automotive industry environment.
• Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• English proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Meet program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets, including GPDS Program Milestone Deliverables, and apply the GPDS process.
• Establish and maintain program-specific robustness engineering disciplines, including Quality History, P–Diagram, DFMEA, SCCAF, Boundary Diagram, Campaign Prevent, and reliability and robustness checklists, as required.
• Develop and maintain the program-specific Engineering Statement of Work (ESOW), participate in sourcing and re-sourcing, lead To4 and To5 activities and cost reviews, and prepare CPA packages and supporting documentation for timely handoff to Purchasing.
• Support Studio Development stages K1–K6, identify high-risk Studio Surface fit-and-finish issues, and participate in appearance-feasibility activities.
• Conduct package studies and lead master-section development, considering manufacturing, cost, timing, safety, quality, assembly, craftsmanship, and ergonomics.
• Lead CAE studies, including attachment and robustness studies, and manage CAD model transfers to and from suppliers.
• Complete Engineering Design by FDJ and Studio Surface Transfer by UPV2.
• Apply Six Sigma and 8D issue-resolution methods, including writing deviations and non-conformance agreements.
• Lead component design reviews and follow the Technical Design Review (TDR) process.
• Release parts in FEDEBOM and WERS throughout the product life cycle, maintain the master program BOM and key attribute data, support change-control meetings, interface with program change control, and prepare change-request 2-pagers using required supplier information.
• Audit and update prototype-build BOMs and maintain them after Job 1, including replacing surrogate BOMs with real BOMs, maintaining CAD-to-BOM alignment, loading final-assembly part numbers, assigning prototype-build costs, and validating VP BOMs and buildable combinations.
• Identify required validation, durability, and functional tests; establish and maintain the program-specific DVP; meet First Pass DV testing by PEC; and complete DVP&R sign-off with test reports uploaded by FEC.
• Resolve DPA1–5 and support or lead the PMT process, change-management meetings, open-issue lists including AIMS, and reporting of design changes, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead parts implementation and sign-off at the assembly plant, assist with quality issues at program milestones, resolve design, fit-and-finish, and assembly issues during launch, and provide guidance once parts are in production.
• Review and act on affected Product Design Letters (PDLs), and support VQR, VRTs, and PVT as required.
• Work with Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) to provide supplier technical support through the Supplier Engagement Process and PPAP completion; support or lead Component PPAP activities and Supplier Readiness Reviews.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• 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.
• Vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including time between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

What This Job Offers

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