Prototype Engineering Design Manager

Ford • Dearborn, MI

1d • $115,500 - $218,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

Join Ford Motor Company and shape the future of automotive design. As a Prototype Engineering Design Manager, you will lead a team of product engineering designers to bring concepts to life through functional, high-fidelity prototypes. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of automotive innovation, influencing the next generation of Ford vehicles, content, and experiences. You will require a deep understanding of automotive systems and subsystems, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to manage complex projects from inception to completion.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in engineering, design, or equivalent.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive engineering and/or design with a strong understanding of vehicle-level systems and subsystems.
• 5+ years of experience leading complex projects and project teams, utilizing program management tools.
• 5+ years of experience with prototype manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing (3D Printing), milling, fiberglass layups, and clay modeling.
• 5+ years of experience with design/PLM software such as Catia, 3DX, Teamcenter, Alias, etc.
• 5+ years of experience collaborating with design, engineering, product marketing, and program management teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and creative thinking ability.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Nice To Haves

• Masters degree in design, engineering, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in prototype software design and development, with a focus on prototyping and rapid iteration.
• Fluency in various CAD software such as Catia, Rhino, Alias, etc.
• Experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence, or other advanced technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to engineer and design prototypes, including Show/Concept/Pre-Production vehicles, interior and exterior systems (e.g., Lighting, Closures, Instrument Panels, Consoles, Seats), interior and exterior components (e.g., Buttons, knobs, and switches), and interior and exterior clay model armatures.
• Support the development of prototype build plans and ensure the team delivers data on time and with quality.
• Collaborate with design, engineering, marketing, and program teams to align on scope of work, build timing, and budget, managing these aspects throughout the prototype build cycle.
• Leverage expertise in automotive systems and subsystems to identify and document design and engineering feasibility concerns, and support the identification of robust solutions.
• Identify areas of opportunity and process efficiencies, and implement improvements.
• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to continuously enhance prototype development.

Benefits

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