Product Development Engineer - Commercial Accessories (Design & Release)
About The Position
Ford Customization develops, engineers, releases, validates, and launches accessories for Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Ford Licensed Accessories develops products in partnership with suppliers and cross-functional Ford teams. The Product Development Engineer leads assigned commercial accessory programs from initial concept through production launch and acts as the primary engineering technical lead. The role works with suppliers and cross-functional teams to ensure products meet safety, regulatory, quality, functional, timing, and customer expectations. It requires sound engineering judgment to evaluate requirements against applicable Ford vehicle requirements, establish product acceptance criteria, provide technical direction, build supplier relationships, and resolve engineering issues. Products include commercial accessories such as shelving systems, partitions, flooring, and trade packages installed at vehicle plants, modification centers, and dealer facilities. The engineer also coordinates validation and launch support, addresses field and warranty concerns, maintains product-development documentation, and provides technical support to customers, dealers, and suppliers. The position is hybrid, with an onsite requirement of four or more days per week. Visa sponsorship is not available.
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 and collaborate effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with WERS, CAD systems, vehicle modification centers, supplier development, or automotive accessory development.
Responsibilities
- Lead engineering activities for assigned commercial accessory programs from concept through production launch.
- 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.
- Develop designs with suppliers by providing CAD and technical data, reviewing supplier designs and studies, and resolving technical issues.
- Ensure designs satisfy safety, regulatory, functional, quality, durability, EMC, and vehicle integration requirements.
- Build supplier relationships, provide engineering direction aligned with ESOW requirements, and monitor supplier performance and deliverables.
- Review Product Development Letters and base vehicle changes with Base Vehicle Design and Release Engineers to identify model-year impacts and ensure accessory compatibility and validation.
- Coordinate and lead vehicle-level testing and validation; 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.
- Review, validate, and approve accessory installation instructions and customer/service documentation.
- Review warranty and field data, identify trends, lead technical investigations, and coordinate corrective actions for engineering, quality, fit, function, and launch issues.
- Maintain engineering records and documentation throughout product development.
- Coordinate modification-center trials, evaluate installation processes, support launch events, and provide 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 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 regarding accessory use, operation, installation, and maintenance.
- Provide technical guidance to new engineers, follow 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
