Global Sr. Manager, Advanced Seats Engineering, Structures, & Compliance

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford is seeking a senior global engineering leader to oversee early seating architecture and technology innovation, seat structure design and development, and seat system regulatory compliance. The role leads cross-functional, cross-regional teams to deliver seating systems that meet safety, quality, performance, and manufacturability standards while advancing technology and innovation strategies. The successful candidate will bring automotive engineering expertise, experience developing high-performing global teams, and the ability to manage regulatory and homologation requirements across multiple markets.

This position is hybrid and requires being onsite four or more days per week. It is leadership level 4. Salary grade and base salary will be determined based on the candidate’s skills and experience, job scope, responsibility, and competitive market value. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and employment eligibility will be verified at hire.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience managing technical teams of increasing size and complexity.
• Strong automotive industry experience, with demonstrated expertise in seat systems, structures, or related vehicle component engineering.
• Proven experience leading global, cross-regional, and cross-cultural engineering teams.
• Solid understanding of automotive regulatory and homologation requirements, such as FMVSS, ECE, or equivalent global standards.
• Strong knowledge of structural engineering principles, CAE/CAD tools, and industrialization and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication, executive presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, resources, and strategic technology roadmaps.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field; the qualifications section also lists a Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline as preferred.
• Experience with advanced materials, lightweighting, or next-generation seating technologies.
• Six Sigma, PMP, or other relevant process or technical certifications.
• Experience working within a global engineering organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a global team of engineers and managers across disciplines, sites, and time zones.
• Build organizational capability by attracting, developing, and retaining engineering talent, and foster a collaborative, inclusive, high-performance culture.
• Direct early-phase seating architecture strategy, concept development, and advanced technology roadmaps aligned with future vehicle programs.
• Partner with product planning, design, and innovation teams to identify and mature emerging seating technologies, including comfort, packaging, materials, and electrification-driven requirements.
• Guide feasibility studies, benchmarking, and technology readiness assessments to inform long-term seating strategy.
• Oversee seat-system structural design, engineering analysis, validation, and industrialization from concept through ongoing product development.
• Drive continuous improvement in structural performance, weight optimization, cost, and quality.
• Guide seating development priorities to meet emerging homologation and third-party targets.
• Serve as the technical escalation point for compliance risks and work cross-functionally to resolve regulatory issues.
• Ensure lessons learned and best practices are incorporated into forward-model development programs.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supplier Technical Assistance teams to ensure integrated program delivery.
• Represent Seating Engineering in senior leadership reviews, program milestones, and executive-level technical discussions.
• Drive alignment of global engineering standards, processes, and best practices across regions.

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.
• Active 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