Feature Commissioning Chief Engineer

Ford Motor Company • Dearborn, MI

17h • Onsite

About The Position

Ford is seeking a Feature Commissioning Chief Engineer to lead a global team responsible for electrical systems integration across vehicle programs and platforms. Reporting to the Director of FAST (Feature Assurance and Systems Troubleshooting), this leader provides strategic direction and drives global efficiencies in electrical systems quality delivery. The role focuses on program and platform integration, vehicle-specific electrical architecture development, ECU and wiring functional delivery, system validation, and robust end-of-line execution at assembly plants.

The Chief Engineer partners with product, program, software, hardware, architecture, feature assurance, and manufacturing teams to resolve complex system-level issues, mitigate technical risk, and support delivery from concept through production. The role oversees electrical system development across the product portfolio, promotes collaboration and innovation, and leads continuous improvement using AI, automation, and process efficiencies. Candidates should bring automotive systems expertise, leadership capability, and strong cross-functional communication skills.

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, including system architecture, integration, validation processes, and automotive performance requirements.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to engage effectively with cross-functional teams, external partners, and stakeholders.
• Proven leadership, including mentoring and guiding technical teams, fostering innovation, and delivering high-quality 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 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 alternatives, and drive strategy from concept through production.
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to structure approaches to complex problems and clarify solutions.
• A system-oriented design and development approach, with curiosity and commitment to exceptional execution and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to Feature Commissioning Engineering teams, fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Oversee global electrical system development from concept through production, aligning delivery with product requirements and company objectives.
• Communicate project status, risks, and opportunities to executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Design and drive next-generation platform integration strategies, including integration feedback and testing for early hardware and software releases, and deeper testing with feature teams.
• Collaborate with product/program management, design, software, feature assurance, architecture, and hardware engineering teams to drive execution.
• Lead teams in vehicle- and system-level issue root cause across vehicle domains, end-to-end electrical system operation, and signal propagation across networks.
• Ensure quality and reliability through rigorous testing, validation, and verification.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and challenges associated with electrical systems, and address issues to ensure successful delivery at Ford end-of-line.
• Facilitate integration of electromechanical systems and achieve Chief-level systems sign-off across programs.
• Recommend optimal 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.

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