Product Development Engineer-Chassis Architecture

Ford • Dearborn, MI

3d • $65,100 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more! In this position, as a member of the advanced chassis engineering team, you are responsible for the up-front system design work and decision-making inputs on all-new Ford & Lincoln products, including next-gen electrified architectures. Our functional architecture team is responsible for suspension, steering, brakes, wheels/tires, and chassis systems. We're looking for an advanced chassis engineer to join the underbody systems architecture team. The D&R Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis. This role also includes facilitating supplier data integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements. The D&R Engineer is expected to understand and effectively utilize product check-in/check-out processes, version control, data release, and change management within Ford’s PLM ecosystem. The D&R Engineer will perform feasibility analyses using CAD tools, including draft angle analysis, undercut detection, minimum bend radius validation for sheet metal, and clearance checks to support manufacturing and machining requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science, mechanical engineering preferred.
• 2+ years of chassis experience in an automotive or related domain.
• 1+ years of CAD experience.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in engineering or science, mechanical engineering preferred and/or business or business management.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and track comprehensive program timing plans for advanced chassis architecture initiatives, ensuring alignment with overall vehicle program milestones and gateways.
• Proactively identify potential timing risks and implement mitigation strategies to keep programs on schedule.
• Lead cross-functional timing reviews, communicating status, issues, and recovery plans to relevant stakeholders and senior management.
• Drive adherence to program timing within the chassis engineering team.
• Manage and monitor the financial aspects of advanced chassis programs, including material cost, investment, and tracking against established targets.
• Collaborate with purchasing, finance, and engineering teams to identify cost reduction opportunities and ensure cost-efficient design and manufacturing solutions.
• Prepare and present regular financial reports, forecasts, and variance analyses to program leadership, highlighting risks and opportunities.
• Facilitate trade-off discussions to balance weight, cost, performance, and requirements within the chassis system.
• Serve as the primary chassis representative and support technical discussions in cross-functional vehicle architectural development forums, ensuring chassis requirements, constraints, and opportunities are effectively communicated and integrated.
• Develop and deliver clear, concise, and compelling presentations to various audiences, including engineering teams, program leadership, and executive management.

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