Product Development Engineer - Seat Complete

Ford Motor Company•Dearborn, MI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Design Engineer to lead the design and development of the 1st or 2nd row seat for an upcoming forward model program. This role sits within the Seat Complete Engineering team and will own the integration of the seat structure, foam, trim, plastics, and any other hardware design from concept through production release, ensuring the seat meets all safety, durability, comfort, and cost targets while integrating seamlessly with vehicle packaging and manufacturing requirements. This is a high-visibility opportunity to shape the design of a customer-facing component from early concept through Job 1, working closely with cross-functional teams including Body Structures, Interior Trim, Manufacturing, Safety/Restraints, and Supplier Quality.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field
2+ years of experience in automotive seat design, interior component design, or related mechanical design role
Proficiency in 3D CAD software (Siemens NX, CATIA, or equivalent) and GD&T principles
Working knowledge of seat safety standards (FMVSS 207, 210, 225, etc.) and structural/durability requirements
Experience managing supplier relationships and technical design reviews
Strong understanding of DFMEA, DVP&R, and problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa)
Excellent communication skills with ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced program environment
Teamcenter, Tc VisMockup
Excellent Spanish/English communication skills.
Excellent graphical communication skills (sketching).
Able to explain complex engineering concepts to other areas: Studio, Program, etc.
Structured problem solving and thinking.
Proactive, Disciplined.
Strong network and relationship builder.
Go getter.
Self-accountable for delivering results.
Able to negotiate with other areas.
Methodical but able to quickly analyze and take decisions.
Out of the box, innovative, and resilient in the face of adversity.
Ability and willingness to travel, as occasional travel will be required (Dearborn, Supplier sites, Ford assembly plant).

Responsibilities

Ensure CAD development from design to release of the seat components such as structure, foam, trim, and mechanisms for a forward (future) vehicle program
Develop seat designs that satisfy FMVSS/regulatory requirements, occupant safety targets (crash performance, whiplash, child seat anchorage/LATCH), and internal corporate standards
Balance competing design constraints: comfort, weight, cost, manufacturability, and packaging within tight vehicle architecture space claims
Collaborate with suppliers to develop, validate, and release seat components; manage supplier design reviews and DFMEA/PFMEA activities
Conduct and support Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R) testing; troubleshoot and resolve test failures through root-cause analysis and design iteration
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure designs are optimized for assembly and plant installation
Participate in tolerance stack-up analysis, GD&T application, and CAD/CAE collaboration with simulation teams (structural, comfort, durability)
Manage timing, budget, and mass targets for the 2nd row seat commodity throughout the program timeline
Support prototype builds, seat fit/finish evaluations, and vehicle-level integration events
Present design status, risks, and recommendations to program leadership and cross-functional teams at technical reviews