Product Development Engineer - Commercial Accessories (Design & Release)

Ford • Allen Park, MI

22h • $86,600 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Customization develops, engineers, releases, validates, and launches accessories for Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Ford Licensed Accessories works with suppliers and cross-functional Ford teams to develop products. The Product Development Engineer leads assigned programs from initial concept through production launch and serves as the primary engineering technical lead. The role works with suppliers and teams across program management, product planning, manufacturing, design, base vehicle engineering, quality, and purchasing to ensure products meet safety, regulatory, quality, functional, timing, and customer expectations. It requires sound engineering judgment, supplier partnership, technical direction, and effective resolution of engineering issues.

The position leads commercial accessory engineering programs, including products such as shelving systems, partitions, flooring, and trade packages installed at vehicle plants, modification centers, and dealer facilities. It develops designs with suppliers, reviews CAD and technical documentation, coordinates vehicle-level validation, evaluates fit and function, supports launch activities, and addresses warranty and field issues. The role also represents Engineering in cross-functional and supplier forums, provides technical support to customers, dealers, and suppliers, guides newer engineers, and supports continuous improvement through AI and new technologies.

This is a hybrid position requiring onsite work four or more days per week. Visa sponsorship is not available. Ford offers a salary range of $86,600–$166,200, with final salary grade and pay determined by candidate skills and experience, job scope, responsibility, and market value.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Demonstrated experience in product development, engineering, design, and release.
• Strong understanding of product development processes, engineering principles, vehicle systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to lead engineering projects and coordinate multiple programs, suppliers, and deliverables simultaneously.
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills, with sound engineering judgment.
• Ability to interpret engineering requirements, CAD data, technical documentation, test results, and vehicle-level information.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with WERS.
• Experience with CAD systems.
• Experience with vehicle modification centers.
• Experience with supplier development.
• Experience with automotive accessory development.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering activities for assigned programs from concept through production launch, including commercial accessories installed at vehicle plants, modification centers, and dealer facilities.
• Lead new-product discussions, design and technical reviews, and weekly engineering status meetings; communicate status, risks, actions, and timing to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Establish priorities, monitor milestones, and complete deliverables, including WERS releases, on schedule to support launches.
• Partner with Program Managers and Product Planners on product opportunities, feasibility, product-line planning, business cases, and the CFT process, providing engineering assessments and technical, cost, and timing input.
• Develop designs with suppliers by providing CAD and technical data, reviewing supplier CAD, designs, assumptions, packaging studies, environmental considerations, and validation plans, and resolving technical issues.
• Ensure designs meet safety, regulatory requirements including FMVSS, functional, quality, durability, EMC, and vehicle integration requirements, including integration into commercial vans and pickup trucks.
• Build supplier relationships, provide engineering direction aligned with ESOW requirements, and monitor supplier performance and deliverables against timing and quality expectations.
• Review Product Development Letters and base vehicle changes with Base Vehicle Design and Release Engineers to assess model-year impacts and ensure accessory compatibility and validation.
• Coordinate and lead vehicle-level testing and validation with suppliers and Ford organizations; review and approve validation evidence, engineering documentation, and required FESO sign-offs for product release.
• Evaluate accessory fit, function, appearance, installation, and performance; coordinate prototype and production fit-ups and issue evaluation and installation reports based on fit-ups, plant and modification-center evaluations, and field or dealer activities.
• Review, validate, and approve accessory installation instructions and customer and service documentation.
• Review warranty and field data, identify trends and recurring issues, and lead technical investigations and corrective actions related to engineering, quality, fit, function, and launch issues.
• Maintain engineering records and documentation throughout the product development cycle.
• Coordinate modification-center trials, evaluate installation processes, support launch events, and provide timely engineering direction on issues at plants, modification centers, dealers, or in the field.
• Represent Engineering in cross-functional and supplier meetings and program forums, providing clear technical recommendations and decisions.
• Engage program leadership, including Directors, Chief Engineers, and Program Managers, on current and future products and technical concerns.
• Provide technical support to customers, dealers, and suppliers on accessory use, operation, installation, and maintenance.
• Provide technical guidance to new engineers, follow engineering department processes, and support continuous improvement through AI and new technologies.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup child care.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• 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