Product Development Engineer – Transmission Systems

Ford Motor • Livonia, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Front Wheel Drive Transmission Systems team is seeking a Product Development Engineer to lead quality improvement and cost optimization initiatives for advanced hybrid and automatic transmission systems. This role provides the opportunity to work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and service teams to identify, investigate, and resolve complex vehicle and transmission issues that directly impact customer satisfaction and business performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in transmission, driveline, powertrain, or automotive systems engineering, with a strong understanding of systems engineering principles.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience with automotive warranty analysis, field data, or quality improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of transmission or electrified powertrain systems.
• Experience leading structured problem-solving efforts such as 8D, Six Sigma, Shainin, or similar methodologies.
• Familiarity with manufacturing, service engineering, or customer quality processes.
• Experience working with manufacturing, assembly plant operations, supplier quality, or vehicle launch activities.
• Experience presenting technical findings to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Strong project management skills with the capability of managing multiple projects from inception to completion.
• Ability to effectively lead and handle both strategic and tactical assignments in a timely manner.
• Experience analyzing large datasets and identifying trends from warranty, manufacturing, test, or field performance data.
• Demonstrated process discipline with strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in ambiguous environments and define solutions for new or emerging challenges.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional quality improvement, warranty reduction, and cost optimization initiatives for front-wheel-drive hybrid and automatic transmission systems.
• Analyze early-life and long-term field performance trends and develop quality improvement actions.
• Develop repair cost reduction strategies while maintaining customer satisfaction and product quality.
• Lead component and system cost optimization initiatives while maintaining quality and customer satisfaction.
• Develop and implement initiatives to reduce field repair frequency and improve product reliability.
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions that improve quality performance, reduce warranty spend, and lower product lifecycle costs.
• Proactively identify emerging product concerns through data analysis, field investigations, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Develop business cases, risk assessments, and implementation plans for high-priority quality and cost initiatives.
• Provide warranty data analysis and field performance insights to support product development, quality, and service engineering activities.
• Maintain project documentation including technical reports, 8D corrective action reports, and management summary materials.
• Present project status, technical findings, and recommendations to engineering leadership and management teams.

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