Platform Hardware Technical Manager

Ford • Dearborn, MI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

In this position, you will be part of the Technology Platform Programs (TPP) organization, focused on delivering platform hardware initiatives across the FNV3.x Architecture, including FNV3.2, FNV3.3, and future platform iterations. Ford's Technology Platform Programs (TPP) team is at the forefront of the Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) revolution, reimagining vehicle electrical architecture and software platforms. Ford is pivoting to a streamlined, scalable, platform-first strategy, and we need your talent to drive this vision. At TPP, you'll be instrumental in leading program management that enables Ford to deliver high quality software, at speed, into vehicles with significantly more efficient scaled solutions by leading cross-functional strategies for broad impact across our vehicle lineup. This is where people solve challenges and execute breakthroughs that define the future of Ford; join TPP and help shape the next generation of vehicles! Success in this role requires a leader who is centered on product excellence, engineering rigor, technical execution, and bias for action. You will operate in a fast-paced and highly cross-functional environment, partnering across engineering, architecture, program planning, finance, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and vehicle operations to ensure platform hardware is defined, sourced, released, validated, and delivered in support of program milestones. This role has significant organizational impact. You will provide technical direction, drive resolution of complex hardware risks, influence platform-level decisions, and ensure alignment between technical platform strategy, program objectives, cost, timing, quality, and manufacturing readiness.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in automotive hardware engineering, technical program management, platform engineering, electrical/electronic systems, vehicle architecture, or a closely related technical field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex hardware programs or platform initiatives from early concept through engineering milestones, validation, sourcing, and production readiness.
• Experience managing or providing technical leadership to engineering teams, including coaching, prioritization, issue resolution, and cross-functional alignment.
• Strong understanding of automotive hardware development processes, including sourcing, release, validation, BOM management, DFMEA, design reviews, change control, and build support.
• Experience working with ECUs, electrical/electronic architectures, platform hardware, vehicle integration, or highly integrated vehicle features.
• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, make sound decisions with incomplete information, and drive closure on complex technical and business issues.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence engineering teams, program leaders, finance partners, manufacturing teams, suppliers, and senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical depth with business judgment, including cost, quality, complexity, timing, and strategic platform considerations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Ford engineering systems, processes, milestone reviews, AIMs, Jira, change control, CNE DF, PSTs, or related governance forums.
• Experience supporting vehicle builds, preproduction events, breadboards, ECU updates, or launch readiness activities.
• Familiarity with FNV architecture, connected vehicle platforms, electrical/electronic systems, or software-defined vehicle hardware enablement.
• Experience managing ED&T, tooling budgets, BOM alignment, or program financial milestone deliverables.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams through high-pressure program timing, technical risk, and launch-critical issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Direct the development and maintain assumptions for Platform Hardware iterations (FNV3.2, 3.3, 3.X), managing and driving resolution of hardware risks, technical challenges, change control, complexity reduction, and cost.
• Orchestrate Technical Hardware Platform direction through engineering gateways and financial milestones from pre-program (MR) through FEC, acting as single point of contact between SET/VHE/VHM, Program Planning, Tech Strategy, Design/Release, Finance, Quality, Attribute, STA, VO, and NML teams.
• Collaborate with the Functional D&Rs / Hardware Teams / SETs / TPMs / TPP Applications team to ensure all work in support of Program content is completed on time, with quality. Manage functional content alignment supports Platform initiatives and program objectives.
• Ensure all Technical Platform hardware is sourced, released, validated and delivered in support of program timing. Review and ensure BOM accuracy and completeness including content alignment with Tech Strategy and Architecture teams.
• Facilitate the support the DV process by proactively cascading Platform requirements, driving DFMEA development, leading hardware audits/reviews, ensuring proper classification, test planning, vehicle requests and availability.
• Spearhead ECU part updates for all Platform breadboards and preproduction builds at the build site. Work with D&R Engineers, SETs / VHEs, suppliers, New Models, MP&L, and other stakeholders to organize and lead HW update events. Ensure all required part and vehicle level updates are completed on time and with quality, in support of build timing.
• Represent the Technical Platform Hardware Team in Program and Vehicle Operations forums (e.g. Hardware Architecture Stand up, PSTs, CNE DF, Change Control, Milestone reviews, Design reviews, AIMs, Jira, Pedigree reviews, etc.). Also, organize, lead and follow-up issue- or deliverable-specific meetings.
• Manage ED&T and Tooling (Dates, tracking, budget allocation) for Unit/Platform and Program as well as as Platform BOM for Unit/Platform
• Evaluate feasibility/scoping of Upfront Hardware for highly integrated features (new/major modifiedECUs to platform – New content to on-board, new platform choices, and platform guardrails

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed