Process Engineering Specialist (LAP)

Ford • Louisville, KY

2d • $72,480 - $162,120 • Onsite

About The Position

The Process Engineering Specialist owns the build quality of vehicles produced in Final Assembly. The role uses data, Lean tools, and cross-functional leadership to reduce defects, prevent warranty issues, and strengthen process discipline on the production floor. It supports quality and process improvement in the Final Department, including Trim and Chassis, and compliance with Plant, Corporate, Governmental, and Environmental standards, including ISO.

The position spends approximately half of its time on the production floor and half in meetings, analysis, and reporting. The specialist presents quality performance, risks, and action plans to plant management. Ford describes this as a salary grade 6, 7, or 8 position, with corresponding salary ranges listed in the posting.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
• At least 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and data analysis skills.
• Ability to lead teams and manage conflict across functions and shifts.
• Willingness to work on the production floor roughly half of each day.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership behaviors and outstanding interpersonal, team-building, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• At least 5 years of experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma training or certification.
• Hands-on experience with Control Plans, process capability (Cpk), FMEA, and PPAP.
• Experience with DMAIC projects, DOE, and Kaizen events.
• Strong working knowledge of 5S, Kanban, Poka-yoke, Value Stream Mapping, and Visual Factory.
• Skill in presenting data and recommendations to senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Own internal quality metrics and external warranty performance for the Final Department.
• Audit the Control Plan on the production floor, confirm it is followed, and drive corrective action when it is not.
• Monitor process capability for Control Plan characteristics and respond quickly when processes drift or go out of control.
• Lead Variability Reduction Teams, cross-functional groups focused on improving internal and external quality results.
• Investigate quality concerns using structured problem-solving methods and data analysis.
• Verify that corrective actions work for both internal and supplier processes.
• Teach and coach operators, supervisors, and team members in Lean methods, and encourage stronger use of Lean tools in daily problem solving.
• Identify throughput constraints and drive root-cause improvements in Trim and Chassis.
• Create and maintain process and instruction sheets that support quality standards.
• Conduct ergonomic evaluations and deliver corrective actions.
• Support compliance with Plant, Corporate, Governmental, and Environmental standards, including ISO.
• Present quality performance, risks, and action plans to plant management.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized back-up 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.
• Established and 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: Mid Level