Product Development Engineer

Ford • Dearborn, MI

42d • $86,600 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

In this pivotal role, you will work to improve warranty on 12V batteries by engaging the team in Ford’s World Headquarters Garage when management lease customers have issues and help guide resolution. Additionally, you will work with our dealer test & charging equipment supplier to improve the efficiency of their equipment and reduce un-necessary replacements. This role also requires engagement on benchmarking for LVPS (primarily LV batteries) and close work with our internal benchmarking operations as well as independent research.

Requirements

• Bachelor's of Science in Electrical Engineering or similar field
• 5+ years of experience
• Benchmarking experience
• Experience engaging others in problem solving
• Experience with vehicle data loggers and connected vehicle data
• A strong cost and quality mindset, applied to both process optimization and product delivery.

Nice To Haves

• Master's of Science in Engineering (Electrical preferred).
• 7+ years of experience
• Experience with Dealership battery testers.
• Prior experience in automotive warranty systems, auditing, or service engineering
• Background in forensic failure analysis or laboratory testing.
• Experience in Data Analytics of vehicle data (whether direct connection with vehicle or through connected vehicle data).

Responsibilities

• Dealership Test equipment: Data Analytics & Strategic Reporting – cloud portal monitoring, trend analysis, design feedback loop, and usage metrics
• Warranty Integrity & Fraud Detection – detect use of off vehicle battery to generate false codes to replace batteries.
• Algorithm Development & Lifecycle Correlation – collaborate with supplier on next level SW updates for battery testers at dealers.
• Global Liaison & Software Synchronization – work as technical conduit for Ford NA & Ford EU dealership testers.
• Lab Collaboration & Forensic Analysis – utilize battery teardown lab to validate tester changes.
• Program Execution & Quality Assurance: Drive rigorous program execution, ensuring adherence to established processes, comprehensive sign-offs, and meticulous documentation to meet all quality and functional requirements.
• Innovation & Development: Support of next generation low voltage battery development and analysis.
• Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify and address complex technical issues, leading root cause analysis, defining effective corrective actions, and overseeing their implementation. You will leverage quality tools such as Global 8D & A3 problem solving to communicate status and drive resolutions.
• Supplier Requirement Management: Partner with suppliers to establish and ensure robust, consistent sign-off processes for all technical requirements.
• Component Quality Ownership: Take full ownership of component quality across the entire product lifecycle, spanning forward models, current production, and past models.
• Travel – local & US to battery teardown facility & Dealerships; Potential overseas travel to align on tester updates.

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