Studio X Chief Designer

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters. Join us in shaping the future of Ford Motor Company, as part of a global organization with exceptional colleagues in world-class facilities. As part of Ford Design, you’ll be at the cutting edge of Ford’s most strategically critical work, designing people and society’s needs into the heart of our next generation of products, services, and experiences. The Studio X Digital Design Chief reports to the Director of Design Operations and leads Design Visualization, Research & Development, and Digital Technologies globally. This leader defines the strategic digital roadmap for the Global Design organization while ensuring operational excellence, rigorous data security, and high-performing team management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Design, Industrial Design, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years in Automotive Design, high-end product visualization, or digital design (in-studio program experience preferred).
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder multimedia projects and budgets.
• Extensive knowledge of modern digital tools, hardware, data governance, IP protection, and the overall Product Development/Design process.
• Strong business acumen with demonstrated leadership skills in hiring, developing, and inspiring creative technical teams.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working within large, complex corporate environments and creative cultures.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and global automotive design trends.
• Proven track record of presenting to and influencing executive-level audiences.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a long-term global digital support strategy and transformation roadmap to enhance creativity and efficiency across Global Design.
• Evaluate and implement emerging digital tools, including AI, procedural workflow automation, and immersive technologies (AR/VR/MR).
• Partner with Program teams, Engineering, IT, Corporate Security, and Marketing to align digital initiatives with brand vision and future product strategies.
• Oversee high-fidelity rendering, narrative animation, real-time visualization, and immersive digital simulation pipelines.
• Manage comprehensive photography (including drone and documentary) and professional videography/editing services for the Design studio.
• Establish and enforce rigorous quality standards and review processes to ensure on-time delivery of all Studio X assets.
• Support Marketing and Strategy teams with Executive Leadership Team (ELT) presentations and Market Research stimuli; confidently pitch and facilitate project reviews for senior leadership.
• Manage procurement, maintenance, and lifecycles for high-performance workstations, AR/VR head-mounted displays, MicroLED displays, printers, and data management systems.
• Oversee software licensing, SaaS usage, vendor negotiations, enterprise agreements, and corporate compliance.
• Ensure maximum ROI on all hardware and software acquisitions through pipeline automation and licensing efficiencies.
• Implement data governance and security protocols for design imagery and highly sensitive, pre-production data.
• Create, implement, and enforce strict physical access-control policies for all secure design studios and spaces.
• Foster a highly collaborative, accountable, and engaged studio culture. Lead OKR/KPI development and performance management.
• Assist the Design Operations Director with personnel programs, including performance reviews, salary planning, employee counseling, and training plans.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, and mentor team members through complex, ambiguous challenges.

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