Material Trial Engineer – Stamping & Assembly

Ford • Dearborn, MI

9h • $63,480 - $162,120 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled and diligent Assembly / Body Shop Trial Engineer to join our manufacturing engineering team. Reporting to Manufacturing Program Engineering, this role is pivotal in overseeing and executing all trial-related activities within the assembly plant and body shop environments. The successful candidate will be responsible for meticulously tracking trial parts, validating key manufacturing processes, coordinating material flow, and ensuring critical data capture and communication to drive continuous improvement and successful product launches.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering) or a related technical field.
• [Specify desired years, e.g., 3+] years of experience in an automotive assembly plant or body shop environment, with direct involvement in manufacturing processes, quality, or trials.
• Strong understanding of assembly processes, joining technologies (e.g., welding, riveting, bonding), hemming, clinching, and dimensional control principles.
• Proven ability to identify process issues, analyze trial data, and contribute to effective solutions.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous activities and stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, capable of effectively interacting with diverse teams and presenting trial status and findings.
• Meticulous attention to detail in tracking parts, capturing data, and validating processes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant manufacturing systems.
• Ability to travel to various assembly plant locations as required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Ford's global manufacturing systems and processes.
• Familiarity with Production Validation Team (PVT) processes and requirements.
• Knowledge of CMM data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Trial Activity Oversight: Directly oversee and manage all trial-related activities within the assembly plant and bodyshop areas, ensuring trials are conducted efficiently and according to established protocols.
• Process Validation & Tracking: Meticulously track trial parts through the assembly process, validating critical manufacturing steps such as hemming, clinches, dimensional accuracy, and various joining technologies.
• Sub-Assembly Coordination: Coordinate the seamless integration and submission of Knock-Down (KD) kits or sub-assemblies into the main bodyshop line for trial purposes.
• CMM Shipment Management: Manage and coordinate the shipment of sub-assemblies to the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) for precise dimensional analysis and validation.
• Destructive Testing Follow-up: Follow up on and analyze results from destructive testing when required, providing insights into material and joint integrity.
• CID Number Capture: Ensure that Critical Identification (CID) numbers are accurately captured during the assembly process for all trial materials, facilitating effective communication and traceability for Production Validation Team (PVT).
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinate closely with Paint Engineers, the Production Validation Team (PVT), and Manufacturing Engineers (MEs) to gather and provide essential feedback regarding paint quality and overall Vehicle on Wheels performance during trials.
• Reporting & Communication: Attend and report out on assembly plant trial status to the BCSE (Body & Chassis Stamping Engineering) Trial Specialist on a monthly or bi-weekly basis.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of 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: Mid Level