Technical Specialist - Body Exterior Tooling, Gage, & GD&T Specialist

Ford • Dearborn, MI

14d • 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.
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!
We are seeking a highly skilled Technical Expert in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and Production Gauging to join our Body Exterior Product Development team. In this critical role, you will be the primary authority on dimensional strategy for exterior systems, including sheet metal structure/closures (body structure, side doors, hoods, liftgates, tailgates, etc.), hardware components (latches, handles, hinges, etc.), front and rear end systems, bumpers, lighting, and trim.
You will ensure that our designs are not only world-class in "fit and finish" but are also manufacturable and measurable from the system level down to the component level. You will lead the development of datum strategies, support complex tolerance stack-up analyses, and oversee the design and validation of production gauging systems to ensure seamless vehicle validation, launch and ongoing production.
In this position...
Dimensional Strategy & GD&T: Lead the development of Datum Strategies/Reference Point Systems (RPS) for exterior components and assemblies. Create and approve comprehensive GD&T schemes in accordance with ASME Y14.5-2009/2018.
Tolerance Analysis: Perform/interpret statistical tolerance stack-up analyses to predict build variation and optimize fit and finish (gap/flush) and functional requirements.
Gage Development: Act as the technical lead for production gage design strategy. Review and approve gage designs for components (stamping, molding, etc.), end item assemblies, and assembly processes both internally and externally (supply base).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in automotive dimensional engineering, 6+ within Body-in-White (BIW) or Exterior Hardware/Components/Trim.
• Advanced mastery of ASME Y14.5 standards. (ASME GDTP Senior Level Certification is highly preferred).
• Deep understanding of checking fixture design, CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) programming logic, and non-contact measurement (3D scanning/blue light).
• Experience with PLM software (Teamcenter) and CAD environments (CATIA V5/V6 or Siemens NX).

Nice To Haves

• Masters Degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering
• Experience with 3D Tolerance Simulation Software (e.g., Siemens VSA, 3DCS, or Cetol 6σ).
• Knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes: Sheet metal stamping, plastic injection molding, and robotic assembly/welding.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex dimensional concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Datum Strategies/Reference Point Systems (RPS) for exterior components and assemblies.
• Create and approve comprehensive GD&T schemes in accordance with ASME Y14.5-2009/2018.
• Perform/interpret statistical tolerance stack-up analyses to predict build variation and optimize fit and finish (gap/flush) and functional requirements.
• Act as the technical lead for production gage design strategy.
• Review and approve gage designs for components (stamping, molding, etc.), end item assemblies, and assembly processes both internally and externally (supply base).
• Work closely with Studio (Design), Manufacturing, and Supplier Quality to resolve dimensional conflicts and optimize manufacturing feasibility.
• Provide on-site support at supplier and internally manufacturing facilities during prototype, pre-production and production builds to troubleshoot dimensional issues.
• Develop and maintain internal corporate standards for dimensional engineering and gauging best practices.
• Act as the go to authority on dimensional strategy, providing training and guidance to application/product engineers, manufacturing engineers and CAD designers.

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: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees