Supervisor Core Upper Steering

Ford • Dearborn, MI

4d • $132,800 - $250,800 • Hybrid

About The Position

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 Upper Steering Core Supervisor is responsible for leading a team of Engineers to deliver requirements, test methods, capable suppliers, efficient and bullet proof designs for the Steering Mechanical Column, Locks, Shift Lever, Intermediate Shaft, and Dash Boot. This role includes executing the Upper Steering Commodity Business Plans, new Steering Column development, and Upper Steering technical RFQ workstreams. A key priority is ensuring Engineering Technical Excellence with a focus on Reliability, FMA, Quality, Technical Design Reviews and robust design signoff.

Requirements

• BS Engineering- Mechanical Engineering or strongly related.
• 10+ years of safety critical Automotive design experience or related Industry experience.
• 8+ years of Upper steering experience in Columns, I-shafts or both.

Nice To Haves

• MS Engineering- Mechanical Engineering or strongly related.
• Strong leadership skills, passion for quality, passion for customer – inherent self-starter with strong drive for results.
• Demonstrated leadership experience or demonstrated leadership traits.
• Strong oral/written communication skills to lead group projects, issue resolution, and management reviews.
• Demonstrated ability to forge productive relationships, achieve cooperation, and influence priorities of technical experts and other key partners.
• High technical aptitude.
• Experience with strong supplier management of complex systems.
• Thorough understanding of Upper Steering technology, component design, and joint design.
• Technical depth in system, system architecture and mechanical design.
• Experience applying Systems Engineering, Failure Mode Avoidance, to develop safety critical systems.
• Advanced problem-solving skills including 8D, 6 Sigma, 5-Why, Contrast/Converge, y= f(x), Experimental Design.
• Strong failure mode avoidance skills with a deep understanding of Upper Steering Failure modes.
• Demonstrated Proficiency in engineering disciplines: DFMEA, DVP&R, 8D, Process Control, PFMEA, and System Engineering Fundamentals.
• Ability to manage/resolve simultaneous challenging complex technical issues.
• Experience developing a safety critical product/new technology from initial development through launch.
• Experience managing a senior engineering team.
• Knowledgeable in automotive program deliverables timing GPDS and GTDS.
• Familiar with Ford tools including FEDE, Teamcenter, WERS.
• Interface experience with Corporate Safety and Legal teams on safety critical systems.
• Cross-functional knowledge of interfacing systems – Steering Wheels, Steering Column control modules, dash systems, Steering Gears.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Upper Steering section of Engineers to deliver Core deliverables for the Steering Mechanical Column (Manual/Power), Locks, Shift Lever, Intermediate Shaft, and Dash Boot.
• Mentor and coach the team providing technical guidance and professional development, ensuring collaboration with Steering Technical Experts.
• Manage workload distribution and resource planning.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, diversity, and technical innovation.
• Create and manage Upper Steering (Column, Locks, I-shaft, Dash Boot) foundation standards and processes using System Engineering to ensure robust system design and validation including DFMEAs/FUSA, SDS Requirements, Functional Specifications, Engineering Specifications, SySML/MBSE, Design Rules, Interface Drawings, Guide Files, SCAFF/SCCP, Quality History, RCL/RDM, Test Methods, Perfect Drawing Plans, etc.).
• Optimize requirements and DV for cost efficiency ensuring Quality and Reliability.
• Maintain and execute the Upper Steering Commodity Business Plans, focusing on cost efficiency and resiliency while delivering technical excellence.
• Lead development of new Steering Column suppliers in alignment with the CBP ensuring designs meet requirements with robust validation, DFMEA, SCAFF/SCCP.
• Lead Upper Steering technical RFQ workstreams collaborating with Supply Chain to meet requirements, quality, timing, and deliver cost target.
• Lead supplier technical development to ensure an optimal, and cost-efficient supply base, with appropriate supplier tension.
• Collaborate with Technical Experts/Subject Matter Experts to conduct Technical Design Reviews with Application engineers to ensure clean signoff against Requirements and Design Rules with disciplined DVP&Rs.
• Focus on execution of BIC quality – Zero FSA with signoff responsibility before Chief signoff.
• Execute Prevent Recurrence process for FSA, Stop Ship, High-Priority issues, ensuring Foundation Design Deliverables are updated to prevent future escapes.
• Develop advanced Upper Steering technology including Mechanical Column integration into the Steer-by-Wire Handwheel Actuator, and Stowable Column concepts, as well as other new Upper Steering technologies.
• Ensure robust Test Methods (Physical and Analytical) are documented to validate all requirements at all necessary levels including vehicle, system, sub-system, mechanical, electrical, as well interfacing systems.
• Provide Technical Leadership for critical issue resolution for in-flight and new Upper Steering components including launch, Recall, Quality/Field issues.
• Actively support emerging quality issues aiding the Application teams with technical depth and speed to identify root cause, ICA, PCA. Go, See & Do at Supplier & Supplier Plants.
• Lead Global Upper Steering Tech Club to drive technical depth and on-the-job training.
• Develop Perfect Drawing Plan execution to align with GPDS and deliver high-quality execution.
• Actively support the Application team on new program APQP Supplier site reviews to ensure robust PFMEA, SCCAF, and Control execution.
• Actively support TVM idea generation through optimizing requirements and benchmarking as well as idea generation.
• Support Regulatory Signoff and Compliance.

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