Design and Release Engineer-Soft Trim Components

Ford • Dearborn, MI

3d • $65,100 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Design and Release Engineer is responsible for the design and release of Soft Trim component applications for assigned programs throughout the product development process, including Studio, Design, Validation, and Launch. The role designs, develops, validates, and releases automotive systems, subsystems, and components for FSS/Build-To-Print suppliers; manages cost for current and future applications; and monitors the development of Ford vehicle interior systems against company benchmarks.

The engineer ensures parts meet corporate and local validation requirements, including Worldwide Customer Requirements, Engineering Specifications, Systems Design Specifications, and manufacturing and assembly requirements. The role translates customer, regulatory, and product requirements into engineering targets, monitors suppliers, reviews customer feedback, and supports component incorporation at assembly plants. It also supports suppliers and assembly departments with production quality and manufacturing issues and identifies design improvements to enhance quality and optimize cost and weight.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a similar degree.
• At least 3 years of experience in automotive cockpit and trim applications.
• At least 3 years of experience in launch, root cause analysis for design or manufacturing issues, and quick implementation of corrective actions.
• At least 1 year of CAD experience.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a similar degree.
• Experience with design tools such as CATIA, Teamcenter, Digital Buck, GD&T, RSS Studies, or DFMEA.
• Proficiency with analytical tools such as CAE or Moldflow.
• Experience with complex systems, injection molding, and secondary tooling.
• Ability to compile data into decision matrices, summary reports, or similar materials for presentation to Program and Interior Management teams.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and a team-oriented approach.
• Self-driven, highly motivated, and open to new challenges.
• Demonstrated delivery of results.
• Experience designing and developing interior instrument panel systems, console systems, or related components.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate, and release automotive systems, subsystems, and components for FSS/Build-To-Print suppliers on assigned programs.
• Manage costs for current and future applications.
• Monitor the development of interior systems for Ford vehicles against company-specific benchmarks.
• Design parts to meet corporate and local validation requirements, Worldwide Customer Requirements, Engineering Specifications, Systems Design Specifications, and manufacturing and assembly requirements.
• Translate customer, regulatory, and product requirements into engineering targets.
• Monitor suppliers and analyze customer feedback through Ford systems.
• Manage parts incorporation at the assembly plant.
• Support suppliers and assembly departments with current production quality and manufacturing issues.
• Identify design improvements to increase quality and optimize cost and weight.

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 between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

What This Job Offers

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