Design Theme and Surface Development Supervisor (Exterior or Interior)

Ford Motor Company • Dearborn, MI

4d • $115,000 - $192,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Supervisor of Theme Feasibility & Surface Development guides a team and cross-functional partners in delivering feasible Class A surfaces that maintain the Design Studio’s emotive direction. The role leads Ford’s Design Feasibility progression from early concept feasibility through final, tool-ready A-surface approval, collaborating across Design, program, engineering, and manufacturing teams.

The position also leads studio property planning and readiness, ensuring properties meet requirements for content, data pedigree, ride height, manikin drop, and overall suitability. It is a hybrid role; candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub may be required to work onsite four or more days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of automotive surfacing authoring or surface feasibility experience.
• At least 2 years of experience utilizing CAD (Catia V5/3DX), with operational knowledge of surfacing tools such as ISD, ICEMSURF, or Alias.
• Experience with data-management tools such as TCe and visualization tools such as VRED or Unreal.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of studio procedures, Design progression, and the FC process.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and present in cross-functional forums.
• Strong understanding of Class A digital and physical surface verification processes.
• Strong attention to detail and disciplined process execution.
• High proficiency in CAD (Catia V5/3DX), with operational knowledge of surfacing tools such as ISD, ICEMSURF, or Alias.
• Experience with data-management tools such as TCe and visualization tools such as VRED or Unreal.

Responsibilities

• Guide development of Class A surfaces, integrating Design intent with technical, feasibility, manufacturing, and program requirements.
• Lead the Design Feasibility progression from early concepts through production surfaces, including studio deliverables and resolution of program, functional, manufacturing, and attribute trade-offs.
• Develop feasible surface proposals throughout theme and surface development to enable the Design vision.
• Deliver high-quality, feasible surfaces on time and to agreed requirements.
• Lead surface-development reviews within Design, track issues, and drive them to resolution.
• Reconcile conflicts between Design and hardpoints, documenting decisions, agreements, and next steps.
• Create surface proposals that align stakeholders around Design intent and program requirements.
• Partner with teams to identify possibilities and practical win-win solutions aligning Design vision, program direction, and engineering requirements.
• Compile, publish, and drive closure of surface and feasibility critique sheets.
• Lead studio property planning, content, development, setup, and assumption integrity.
• Ensure studio properties meet requirements for content, data pedigree, ride height, manikin drop, and overall suitability.

Benefits

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