Product Development Engineer – Transmission Systems

Ford • Livonia, MI

3d • $65,100 - $166,200 • 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.
This position follows a hybrid work model, requiring onsite presence four days per week (Monday through Thursday) in Livonia, Michigan. Occasional travel to manufacturing facilities, supplier locations, and vehicle assembly plants may be required.

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