Product Development Engineer-Core Seatbelt Subject Matter Expert

Ford Motor Company • Dearborn, MI

2d • $65,100 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Product Development Engineer will serve as Ford’s Core Seatbelt Subject Matter Expert (SME), providing technical guidance to engineering and program teams on seatbelt innovation, cost, quality, and efficient, robust execution. The role includes training, coaching, and mentoring Product Development engineering teams and other skill teams. The position reports to the Core Seatbelt Technical Specialist.

The SME supports global seatbelt engineering across vehicle programs, including technology planning, specifications and design rules, launch and field issue resolution, quality improvements, cost reductions, benchmarking, and global commonality. The role collaborates with global seatbelt teams, Seats and CAE peers, suppliers, and partner functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a similar degree.
• At least 5 years of experience in seatbelt engineering.
• At least 1 year of CAD experience.
• DFSS Green Belt certification, or completion within 2 years of hire if not already certified.
• Experience with safety-critical systems and the Critical Concerns Process.
• Ability to work with the highest degree of integrity.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a similar degree.
• Strong technical background in seatbelts, airbags, gas generators, interfacing systems, and attributes.
• Strong SPC, DFMEA, DRBFM, and statistical skills.
• Experience with global Tier 1 supplier-sourced commodities and successful supplier management, particularly regarding quality issues.
• Knowledge or experience with Ford Product Development and Restraints principles, such as GPDS, FEDE, and DPA.
• Experience developing a vehicle program from cradle to grave.
• Ability to lead efficiently in a global, multicultural, multisupplier environment.
• Open-minded, listen-first, high-energy, and respectful approach.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Consistent demonstration of Ford OS behaviors.
• Strong drive for results and ability to understand complex technical issues.
• Understanding of Restraints business and customer needs, including Body Interior safety, quality, and a safety mindset.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Core Subject Matter Expert for all seatbelts.
• Guide and mentor Seatbelt Applications D&Rs.
• Lead or support weekly Seatbelt TDRM meetings and support or guide other weekly TDRMs.
• Write specifications, design rules, and test methods as required.
• Provide technical guidance on seatbelt cost, quality, and efficient, robust execution; train, coach, and mentor Product Development engineering teams and other skill teams.
• Maintain a seatbelt technology database and roadmap, including benchmarks, and stay current on seatbelt and pyrotechnic technologies and their global implications for Ford.
• Support the global Seatbelts Modularity and Business Plan process by defining current and future global vehicle needs and attributes and enforcing their implementation.
• Support seatbelt critical concerns and Engineering field-service activities and workstreams.
• Support problem solving for seatbelt launch, recall, quality, and field issues.
• Build and maintain a lessons-learned database of seatbelt issue-resolution best practices.
• Support global seatbelt launches by leveraging local Ford engineering teams and suppliers.
• Support Engineering Excellence workstreams, including sign-off at major program milestones and CDP&R for seatbelts.
• Champion benchmarking of key competitors.
• Support design cost-reduction idea generation and implementation of cost reductions in production.
• Support seatbelt warranty-reduction and quality-improvement targets, including prevention of recurrence.
• Coordinate with global seatbelt teams for technology exchange and work alignment, collaborating closely with Seats and CAE peers.
• Work toward the highest commonality of seatbelts across global commercial and passenger vehicles and drive regions toward maximum commonality.
• Maintain a productive work environment with global Seats and Restraints Technology and Program teams, other Product Development areas, Purchasing, FCSD, Manufacturing, and other groups.

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