SET Architecture Supervisor

Ford Motor Company • Dearborn, MI

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The SET Architecture Supervisor leads product development engineering for new vehicle lines within an assigned Systems Engineering Team (SET) vehicle zone. The role leads multiple engineers and cross-functional teams in applying systems engineering methods and first principles to rethink vehicle design, interaction, and manufacturing. Its goal is to deliver full systems integration and lifecycle improvements, including lower cost, weight, part counts, complexity, labor hours, and service time. The position serves as the engineering leader for the designated SET zone and helps establish new vehicle programs before handoff to Vehicle Hardware Integration and Application Engineering teams.

The assigned zone includes Cooling Systems, Climate Systems, Under-Hood Modules/Sensors, and Air Induction Systems. The supervisor sets zone targets, leads technical reviews and trade-off decisions, works with suppliers and internal partners, and coordinates cross-functional issue resolution to meet program milestones. The role is hybrid, with onsite collaboration required at least four days per week, and occasional travel for assembly plant line walks, supplier visits, and benchmarking.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• At least five years of experience in one or more of these systems: cooling systems, climate systems, under-hood modules and sensors, or air induction systems.
• Ability to retrieve and work with CAD models in CATIA V5 or 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX), including creating sections and taking measurements.
• Knowledge of Systems Engineering fundamentals and design thinking.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, courage, humility, decisiveness, flexibility, technical knowledge, vision, and strong communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented environment; demonstrated initiative, leadership, and a track record of delivering results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an open, clear, and inclusive approach.
• Strong organizational and delegation skills, including effective follow-up; ability to manage multiple issues, prioritize competing demands, and balance immediate and future needs.
• Strong technical capabilities and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with cross-functional teams, including Program, Studio, Purchasing, Finance, and Engineering.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Availability for onsite collaboration at least four days per week.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for assembly plant line walks, supplier visits, and benchmarking activities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Design and Release Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Vehicle Engineering.
• Master’s degree in Systems Engineering or another engineering discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in a product engineering and design environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting production launches and managing programs.
• Strong understanding of cost processes and the Functional-Led Cost and Appearance Delivery process.
• Effective coaching skills.
• Strong understanding of Global Product Development Systems processes.
• Strong knowledge of Teamcenter and Bill of Materials (BOM) management.
• Ability to create and modify CAD models using CATIA V5 or 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX).

Responsibilities

• Manage the assigned SET zone using Systems Design methodology to deliver cost and weight efficiencies, component part reductions, quality improvements, labor savings, and service efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for optimization and part reduction; drive cost reduction, weight minimization, and quality improvements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Tier 1 suppliers and understand their technical capabilities.
• Lead zone target-setting using benchmarking and opportunities or technologies from Core Engineering teams.
• Champion data-based trade-off discussions to balance targets, and co-lead content and attribute proposals with Program Chief Engineering and Vehicle Engineering.
• Collaborate with team members and external partners on packaging, weight, cost, labor, timing, and integration from a systems perspective.
• Lead Systems Technical Design and Compatibility Reviews to optimize designs, resolve issues, and deliver program milestones on time and on target, including reviews with Ford leadership.
• Drive adherence to Systems Engineering Operating Principles.
• Coordinate with Core Teams on system optimization opportunities and manage change.
• Drive cross-functional issue resolution with program, finance, quality, attribute, manufacturing, STA, studio, and supplier teams, and support escalation when needed.
• Collaborate with SET members and external partners to achieve system-level engineering sign-off and hand over work to Hardware Integration and Application Engineering teams.
• Lead product development engineering for new vehicle lines and focus teams on Engineering First Principles and full systems integration.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Paid parental leave and new parent ramp-up programs
• Subsidized back-up child care
• 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: Senior