Product Development Engineer – Latching Mechanisms

Ford • Dearborn, MI

15h • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford made history and now works to transform the future for its customers, communities, and families. Employees' work is visible on the road daily, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, individuals can build more than vehicles; they can build what matters. The Product Development team utilizes design thinking and user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight customers, bringing innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. There are global opportunities to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more. In this position, the HLM Design and Release Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, release, and implementation of handles, locks, and mechanisms into vehicle closures such as hoods/frunks, side doors, tailgates, liftgates, and decklids. The role also involves driving design improvements to enhance quality and optimize cost/weight throughout development and the production life of products. Additionally, the engineer will lead suppliers and guide the design of HLM components to ensure compliance with Requirements & Design Rules, manage attributes including package, design feasibility, NVH, water management, craftsmanship, and crash safety, and meet manufacturing assembly requirements at the assembly plant(s).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms. Can include experience from internships and coursework.
• CAD Capable (such as CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter) & familiarity with CAE tools and software.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative and prioritize workload.
• Ability to travel domestical and international.
• Proficient in MS Office apps such as Excel, Word, and Power Point.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in design and release of latching mechanisms, closure systems, or related mechanism applications.
• Software literacy and mechatronics experience.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis.
• 8D and 5Why corrective action and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with DFMEA's, PFMEA's, and SCCAF's
• Knowledgeable in the Phased PPAP process
• Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T
• Ability to work in a fluid environment when overall vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location are not always known.
• Ability to solve complex system issues and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt your role to a variety of applications and issues as required.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the HLM suppliers to comply with program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
• Understand GPDS (Global Product Development System) and create plans to deliver on time.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to deliver a robust system at vehicle level, ensuring all system interfaces of the HLM components are evaluated and validated.
• Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
• Perform and/or review & sign off technical analyses of component/system functional and packaging studies such as: dimensional stackups (GD&T layouts), CAE’s, dynamic calculations and simulations, etc.
• Actively participate in the Technical Design Reviews.
• Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS through the product life cycle.
• Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter
• Compile, document, sign-off, and present evidence of compliance to all applicable design rules and requirements.
• Develop HLM System documents including DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, & DVP&Rs
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
• Develop ESOW (Engineering Statement of Work), EC (Engineering concepts) and participate in the Sourcing Process (SOBA, ED&T review, piece cost and tooling cost review.
• Identify validation, durability and functional tests required as per SDS & ES. (DVP / FEDE)
• Address issues with root cause analysis (8Ds, 3x5Why) and permanent corrective actions implementation.
• Apply knowledge of six sigma principles.
• Define and verify engineering prototypes requirements at part level.
• Parts implementation/Sign-off at assembly plant & assistance with quality issues at all milestones.
• Review impact of PDL revisions and proceed accordingly if affected.
• Collaborate with STA with technical assistance through the Supplier Engagement Process.
• Deliver by applying the One Ford Behaviors.
• Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites when required.
• Travel to North America plants when required.

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