Product Development Engineer - Dynamometer Testing Engineer

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

12h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Dearborn Engine Laboratory performs dynamometer-based tests on gasoline and diesel engines, covering areas such as engine development and durability, powertrain calibration, and cooling system evaluations. The Engine Test Engineer interfaces with requesting departments to ensure daily testing requirements are clearly understood, scheduled, and documented. A primary focus of this role is overseeing the daily execution of engine dynamometer testing while ensuring that engine setup, testing, and disposition are executed to the highest product quality standards. The engineer is responsible for monitoring active tests across multiple lab cells, adhering to strict quality controls to produce correlated, accurate, and reliable data. This role is fundamental to maintaining exceptional product quality, minimizing downtime, and driving continuous improvement in daily lab operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or a related Engineering discipline
• Working knowledge of internal combustion engines, fluid flow mechanics, and basic heat transfer properties.
• Experience with data analysis and a strong foundation in statistics and quality control methodologies.
• A motivated, self-starting individual with the ability to manage daily operational challenges and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• The 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
• Proficiency in the MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Project).

Nice To Haves

• Previous hands-on experience in a powertrain-related role or daily engine dynamometer testing operations.
• Experience with product quality assurance, failure analysis, and continuous improvement processes (e.g., Six Sigma, 8D).
• Knowledge of quality management systems and standardized testing procedures.
• Familiarity with test cell automation software and data acquisition systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operation and execution of engine dynamometer tests, ensuring all test matrices are completed on schedule and to exact engineering requirements.
• Interface daily with requesting engineering teams to understand test objectives, provide status updates, and deliver accurate test results.
• Monitor active tests to ensure rigorous product quality and durability standards are maintained throughout the testing lifecycle.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting support for lab operations, resolving mechanical, electrical, or software issues rapidly to minimize test downtime.
• Maintain detailed daily documentation, including test logs, quality control measures, and standard operating procedures.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action initiatives when testing anomalies, equipment faults, or product quality issues are identified during daily operations.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improving daily operational efficiency, test throughput, and data accuracy.
• Conduct daily review, analysis, and validation of test data to support powertrain development and quality initiatives.
• Ensure data correlation and accuracy across multiple test cells and lab environments.
• Utilize statistical process controls (SPC) and other quality tools to monitor and continuously enhance data integrity and product reliability.
• Manage test schedules, resource allocation, and daily throughput targets to ensure the timely delivery of test results.
• Coordinate with lab technicians and support staff to ensure test cells are properly prepared, maintained, and calibrated for upcoming tests.
• Employ a process-driven approach to standardizing daily lab operations, engine rigging, and teardown procedures.

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
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees