Product Development Engineer - Commercial Accessories (Design & Release)

Ford Motor • Allen Park, MI

3d • $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 develops products with suppliers and cross-functional Ford teams. The Product Development Engineer leads assigned programs from concept through production launch and serves as the primary engineering technical lead. The role works closely with suppliers, Program Managers, Product Planners, 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, the ability to assess requirements against Ford vehicle requirements, establish product acceptance criteria, provide supplier direction, and resolve engineering issues.

The engineer leads development of commercial accessories—including shelving systems, partitions, flooring, and trade packages—for installation at vehicle plants, modification centers, and dealers. Responsibilities span supplier design and technical reviews, CAD and technical data review, vehicle integration, validation, fit-ups, documentation, launch support, field investigations, and product release. The role also provides technical support to customers, dealers, and suppliers and offers guidance to newer engineers. This is a hybrid position requiring onsite work four or more days per week. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

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.
• Demonstrated 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 ensure deliverables, including WERS releases, are completed on schedule.
• Partner with Program Managers and Product Planners on product opportunities, feasibility, product-line planning, business cases, and the CFT process by providing engineering assessments, technical data, cost, and timing input.
• Develop designs with suppliers by providing CAD and technical data; review supplier CAD, designs, assumptions, packaging studies, environmental considerations, and validation plans; resolve technical issues.
• Ensure designs meet safety, regulatory requirements including FMVSS, functional, quality, durability including CAE data, EMC, and vehicle integration requirements.
• Build supplier relationships, provide engineering direction aligned with ESOW requirements, and monitor supplier deliverables, timing, and quality.
• Review Product Development Letters and base vehicle changes with Base Vehicle Design and Release Engineers to identify model-year impacts and maintain 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.
• Evaluate accessory fit, function, appearance, installation, and performance; coordinate prototype and production fit-ups and issue evaluation and installation reports from fit-ups, plant and modification-center evaluations, and field/dealer activities.
• Review, validate, and approve accessory installation instructions and customer/service documentation.
• Review warranty and field data for trends and recurring issues; lead technical investigations and corrective actions for engineering, quality, fit, function, and launch issues.
• Maintain engineering records and documentation throughout product development.
• Coordinate modification-center trials and evaluate installation processes; support launch events and provide timely engineering direction 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 back-up 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