Supv - Switches, Core/D&R

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Switch Engineering Supervisor is responsible for leading the design, development, release, and global program delivery of all automotive switch commodities. This role oversees a team of Core Engineers and Product Owner / Design & Release (D&R) Engineers, ensuring robust engineering standards, successful supplier sourcing, seamless system integration, and flawless vehicle launch execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering preferred); Master’s degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in Design & Release (D&R) or Product Application Engineering.
• 3+ years of experience in Systems Engineering, core specifications development, or vehicle launch execution.
• Demonstrated experience leading or working closely with electrical/electronic product design teams.
• Deep understanding of quality and validation disciplines: FMEA, FMA, SCCAF, DVP&R, and EMC testing.
• Experience managing Full Service Suppliers (FSS) from initial RFQ/sourcing through PPAP and end-of-life cycles.
• Familiarity with physical vehicle packaging, Digital Pre-Assembly (DPA), and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design constraints.
• Excellent leadership, program management, problem-solving (e.g., 8D, Red X), and organizational planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of Core Engineers and Product Owner / D&R Engineers.
• Allocate engineering resources to align with global vehicle program milestones, advanced technology initiatives, and regional application needs.
• Foster a collaborative, agile environment to deliver switch products on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Guide the development, maintenance, and approval of generic Engineering Specifications (ES) and Requirements.
• Drive early-stage sourcing activities, including advanced benchmarking, technology roadmaps, early supplier involvement, and early program checkpoints.
• Lead supplier engagement processes, including engineering kick-offs.
• Ensure robust program-specific execution from concept to launch, overseeing content definition (PDL), timing plans, and commercial agreements (CPA, eSOWs, RFQs, and ED&T approvals).
• Manage mechanical and electronic hardware design, packaging, interface tolerance stack-ups, and DFMEA critical/ special characteristics.
• Govern system-level definition, interface control sheets, load databases, and Global Device Transmittals (GDT) using VSEM.
• Oversee component-level and vehicle-level validation, including FEDE requirement classification/target setting/assessments, DV/PV testing, EMC compliance and Worst case circuit analysis (WCCA).
• Supervise supplier CAD releasing, AVBOM/FEDEBOM management, early tooling authorizations, and production release approvals in WERS.
• Deliver switch products that meet stringent feel, sound, styling, ergonomics, and Human Machine Interface (HMI) requirements.
• Champion quality improvement initiatives, including FMA foundation documents, FMEA, and Campaign Prevention deep dives.
• Support assembly plants during launch phases through Digital Pre-Assembly (DPA) reviews, assembly set-up evaluations, and end-of-line (EOL) testing.
• Manage product and program open issue matrices to ensure swift resolution of engineering, manufacturing, and interface concerns.

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