Product Development Hydraulic Lab Applications Engineer

Ford • Livonia, MI

11h • $84,480 - $162,120 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?
Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!
In this position…
The Product Development Engineer manages the end-to-end testing lifecycle in the HMS (Hydraulic and Mechanical System) Lab, translating customer Test Requests (TRs) into actionable plans and high-quality data.
This role coordinates team activities, oversees technical setups, and manages resource scheduling and stakeholder communication. Additionally, the engineer handles emergency testing, supports site calibrations, and provides technical support in the dynamometer lab as required to ensure all customer needs are met with precision and efficiency.

Requirements

• Minimum
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related field) or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience in test operations, laboratory management, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of laboratory testing environments, test stand operations, and data acquisition systems.
• Project Management: Proven ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously and lead cross-functional team activities.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for frequent customer-facing interactions and technical reporting.
• Software Proficiency: Experience with lab management software (e.g., ELMS), data management systems (e.g., APDM), and tools for test profile creation.
• Detail Orientation: A rigorous approach to pre-test inspections and post-test data verification to ensure zero-defect delivery to the customer.

Responsibilities

• Test Planning & Customer Liaison
• Requirements Gathering: Perform comprehensive Test Request (TR) reviews prior to testing to define and document specific customer needs.
• Stakeholder Communication: Lead progress meetings with customers to provide updates and align on project goals.
• Customer Satisfaction: Manage post-test interactions, including the administration and review of customer quality surveys to ensure continuous improvement.
• Technical Preparation & Tooling
• Fixture Management: Evaluate existing inventory to determine fixture availability; collaborate with the Design Group to conceptualize and develop new fixtures when necessary.
• Test Configuration: Assign test articles to the appropriate test stands and develop specific test profiles tailored to the TR.
• Pre-Test Inspection: Conduct physical inspections of parts for proper functionality and verify that all components match the TR specifications.
• Setup Oversight: Oversee or directly assist in the physical test setup, ensuring proper fixture installation and adherence to written test operation instructions.
• Project Coordination & Resource Management
• Team Leadership: Coordinate daily activities for team members to ensure testing milestones are hit.
• Scheduling & Documentation: Partner with the scheduling team to update the Equipment Lab Management System (ELMS) for test stand usage; maintain detailed ELMS notes for comprehensive test summaries.
• Information Architecture: Create and maintain organized test folders for data, metadata, and supporting documentation.
• Data Integrity & Quality Assurance
• Real-time Monitoring: Monitor active tests to ensure data is recording properly and transferring to the correct locations for immediate customer review.
• Data Verification: Perform post-test data validation to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Systems Upload: Finalize and upload verified data to the Analytical Product Data Management (APDM) system.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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