Feature Commissioning Chief Engineer

Ford • Dearborn, MI

17h • Onsite

About The Position

Ford is seeking a Feature Commissioning Chief Engineer to lead a global team responsible for delivering electrical systems integration across vehicle programs and platforms. The role provides strategic direction for electrical systems quality delivery, including vehicle-specific electrical architecture, ECU and wiring functional delivery, system validation, and end-of-line execution at assembly plants. The Chief Engineer partners with product, program, software, hardware, architecture, feature assurance, and manufacturing teams to resolve system-level issues, mitigate technical risks, and support delivery from concept through production. The position reports to the Director of FAST (Feature Assurance and Systems Troubleshooting) and is designated leadership level 4.

The role oversees the global electrical-system product portfolio and leads integration strategy for next-generation platforms. It drives testing of early hardware and software releases, cross-functional root-cause analysis across vehicle domains and networks, integration of electromechanical systems, and Chief-level systems sign-off across programs. The position also recommends solutions affecting top-level vehicle architecture and promotes continuous improvement through AI, automation, and process efficiency.

Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field and at least eight years of hands-on technical experience in automotive system engineering, software development, or related roles. Ford notes that a master's degree, extensive automotive electrical-systems and people-management experience, vehicle-launch experience, and familiarity with Ford engineering tools are preferred. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of hands-on experience in system engineering, software development, or related technical roles within the automotive industry.
• Deep understanding of software and hardware systems.
• Expertise defining, developing, and optimizing secure and safe vehicle feature systems.
• Comprehensive understanding of system architecture, integration, validation processes, and automotive performance requirements.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to engage cross-functional teams, external partners, and stakeholders.
• Proven leadership abilities, including mentoring and guiding technical teams, fostering innovation, and delivering feature systems that meet safety, security, and performance objectives.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in a technical or management field.
• 15 or more years of experience in automotive electrical systems.
• 10 or more years of people-management experience.
• Experience launching new vehicles and a track record of achieving plant quality targets.
• Mastery of product development deliverables and Ford engineering tools, including AVBOM, WERS, AIMS, 5Ds, eFDVS, Jama, Engineering Sign Off, DFMEA, Six Sigma, Confluence, and Jira.
• Ability to understand end-to-end systems of systems and apply systemic thinking, critical thinking, and strategic reasoning to identify opportunities, understand complex concerns, develop alternative solutions, and drive strategy from concept through production.
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to structure approaches to complex problems and clarify solutions.
• A continuous-improvement mindset, curiosity, and interest in system-oriented design, development, and execution.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to Feature Commissioning Engineering teams, promoting collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Oversee the global portfolio of electrical-system development from concept through production and align it with product requirements and company objectives.
• Communicate project status, risks, and opportunities to executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Develop and drive integration strategies for next-generation platforms, including integration feedback and testing for early hardware and software releases in collaboration with feature teams.
• Collaborate with product/program management, design, software, feature assurance, architecture, and hardware engineering teams to drive execution.
• Lead vehicle- and system-level root-cause analysis across vehicle domains, end-to-end electrical-system operation, and signal propagation across networks.
• Ensure feature commissioning quality and reliability through testing, validation, and verification.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and address issues to support successful delivery at Ford end-of-line.
• Facilitate electromechanical systems integration and achieve Chief-level systems sign-off across programs.
• Recommend solutions and designs that affect top-level vehicle architecture.
• Drive continuous improvement through AI, automation, and process efficiency to optimize feature development processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Lead a global team focused on program and platform integration, vehicle-specific electrical architecture, ECU and wiring functional delivery, and assembly-plant end-of-line execution.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, 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.
• 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