Product Engineer Materials

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford’s Product Development organization uses design thinking and user experience methods to deliver products and services, including advancements in autonomy, electrification, and smart mobility. The Product Engineer Materials is responsible for developing and releasing bulk materials, particularly two-component (2K) structural adhesives and foams used in Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) battery packs. The role provides technical ownership of material specifications, supplier testing and data review, test method development, adhesive dispensing process support, and initiation of environmental health and safety (EHS) and toxicological approval requests. It also directly supports Ford’s battery manufacturing plant.

The engineer works with vehicle teams and core engineering to resolve material compatibility, warranty, production, and processing problems throughout the life of a component or assembly. The role emphasizes collaboration with Ford Product Development and Battery Manufacturing Engineering, material and dispensing-equipment suppliers, purchasing, laboratory engineers, other materials engineers, EHS and Industrial Hygiene, and manufacturing plant personnel. The position is hybrid and requires onsite work four or more days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Material Science and Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Chemistry.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Materials or Chemical Engineering involving bulk chemicals, sealers, adhesives, and foams—specifically 2K structural chemistries—and thermal interface materials.
• Knowledge of dispensable bulk-material manufacturing processes used in automotive applications, including dispensing equipment and process parameters such as bead geometry, flow rate, mix ratio, and cure.
• Experience working with suppliers on material specifications, test-plan execution, and test-data review.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.
• Knowledge of statistical and data analysis and proficiency with related software tools.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with others.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Master of Science in Material Science and Engineering, Materials Engineering, or Chemical Engineering.
• Knowledge of industry test methods and experience developing new test methods.
• Knowledge of corporate tools such as MATS, MSC, GMAP, FEDE, and TeamCenter.
• Experience supporting battery manufacturing plant launches and production issues.
• Ability to use AI tools, such as generative AI assistants and data analytics, to improve efficiency in specification drafting, test-data review, and technical problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate Ford OS behaviors of Excellence, Focus, and Collaboration.
• Develop and manage materials engineering foundation documents, including material and performance specifications, Approved Source Lists, and Ford Laboratory Test Methods; update them to prevent recurrence of issues.
• Support development of material FEDE requirements and Design Rules.
• Describe component and system operating environments and assess material compatibility within Ford and Tier 1 supplier manufacturing and processing environments.
• Review and sign off on engineering drawings and Bills of Materials in TeamCenter.
• Review and sign off on Design Verification/Product Validation plans and part performance test reports.
• Provide root-cause analysis and materials and process expertise to resolve manufacturing and field issues in collaboration with Engineering, Supplier Technical Assistance, Program Vehicle Teams, Purchasing, and Research; initiate laboratory requests as needed.
• Support manufacturing-site assessments, process development, and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with core engineering functions to develop or update test methods for improved field correlation and prevention of recurring issues.
• Own development, revision, and release of 2K structural adhesive and foam material specifications, keeping pace with formulations, technologies, supplier changes, and program timing to support launch gates.
• Work with suppliers to define and track testing against specifications and timing plans; review test data, identify non-conformances, and drive deviation and root-cause resolution.
• Develop, validate, and standardize test methods for evolving adhesive and foam chemistries and battery-specific requirements, correlating laboratory results with real-world performance.
• Support adhesive dispensing process development and troubleshooting at supplier and plant levels, including bead geometry, flow rate, mix ratio, and cure time; coordinate among material suppliers, dispensing-equipment suppliers, Product Development, Research and Advanced Engineering, and Battery Manufacturing Engineering.
• Partner with EHS and Industrial Hygiene to obtain toxicological numbers for new materials before full approval for plant use and manage review timelines.
• Support the Ford battery manufacturing plant with launch support, issue resolution, and process assessments.
• Support material cost-reduction initiatives and process innovations in collaboration with suppliers and Research.
• Approve and release new-technology materials that lower cost, reduce weight, improve quality, or contribute to Ford sustainability targets.
• Support CAE, virtual-weight, and thermal-modeling activities with qualified material data.
• Participate in Materials Engineering Department training events and committees.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• 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.
• Vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level