Product Development Engineer – Quality - Powertrain Systems & Issue Resolution

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

10d • 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! We are seeking a Resolution-Focused Quality Engineer to lead the rapid elimination of powertrain controls and calibration-related technical issues. In this role, you will move beyond data observation to own the end-to-end solution. You will serve as the primary driver between Quality, Product Development, and Calibration teams to ensure field issues are contained, resolved, and prevented from recurring in future programs. This role is a critical bridge within the engineering organization. You will lead cross-functional task forces to navigate complex technical challenges and push engineering fixes through to production and the field. The ideal candidate is a proactive "fixer" with a technical background in Powertrain Systems (ICE, Electrified/xEV, Transmission, or Driveline) and Diagnostics who possesses the influence to drive action and improve customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or equivalent) or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in an automotive engineering role with a focus on technical problem-solving (e.g., Quality, Resident Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Calibration).
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis investigations using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, or Red X).
• Proven ability to drive results in a matrixed environment where you must influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Working knowledge of powertrain calibration delivery, vehicle-level data acquisition, or diagnostic monitor functionality.
• The Engineer will be responsible for using CAD to support quality investigations and issue resolution.
• This roll also requires the usage of six sigma resolution techniques like DMIAC.
• Valid Driver’s License (to support vehicle-level data collection or testing as needed).

Nice To Haves

• A track record of significantly reducing "Time-to-Fix" metrics for complex technical issues.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience leading "Tiger Teams" or using project management tools (e.g., Jira, ADO) to track issue resolution progress.
• Proficiency with vehicle networking tools (e.g., CANalyzer, INCA, or PUMA) and enterprise quality management systems.
• Understanding of global emissions and On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical failures into clear, actionable executive summaries for senior leadership

Responsibilities

• Drive End-to-End Resolution: Lead the lifecycle of top powertrain controls and calibration concerns, managing the process from initial field detection to verified implementation of the fix.
• Lead Technical Task Forces: Orchestrate cross-functional "war rooms" and rapid-response teams to define root causes and execute corrective actions for hardware, software, or calibration concerns.
• Influence Engineering Priorities: Negotiate with engineering and calibration departments by presenting data-backed technical business cases that demand immediate resolution action.
• Project Manage Field Fixes: Manage the rollout of software updates and service calibrations, ensuring that Service, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams are aligned to meet aggressive resolution timelines.
• Verify Solution Effectiveness: Track post-implementation performance in the field to ensure the "fix" successfully resolved the customer concern without introducing secondary failure modes.
• Orchestrate Service Documentation: Lead the development of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and service instructions to ensure dealership and field technicians can resolve issues efficiently.
• Enforce Prevent Reoccurrence (PR): Document lessons learned and capture technical data to ensure failure modes are integrated into future design rules and "best practice" calibration sets.
• Manufacturing & Launch Support: Drive timely resolution for launch-critical quality issues involving system functionality or diagnostic calibrations at the assembly plant.

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