Product Development Engineer – Hardware, Locks, and Mechanisms (HLM)

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.

About the role

Product Development uses design thinking and 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!

The HLM Design and Release Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, release, and implementation of handles, locks, and mechanisms into vehicle closures (hoods/frunks, side doors, tailgates, liftgates, decklids). You will drive design improvements to increase quality and optimize cost/weight throughout development and the production life of the products. You will lead suppliers and guide the design of HLM components, ensuring compliance with requirements and design rules, managing attributes (package, design feasibility, NVH, water management, craftsmanship, crash safety), and addressing manufacturing assembly requirements at the plant(s).

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead HLM suppliers to comply with program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
• Understand GPDS (Global Product Development System) and create plans to deliver on time.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver a robust system at the vehicle level, ensuring all system interfaces of HLM components are evaluated and validated.
• Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
• Perform and/or review and sign off on technical analyses of component/system functional and packaging studies, such as dimensional stackups (GD&T layouts), CAE’s, dynamic calculations, and simulations.
• Actively participate in Technical Design Reviews.
• Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS through the product life cycle.
• Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter.
• Compile, document, sign-off, and present evidence of compliance to all applicable design rules and requirements.
• Develop HLM System documents including DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, and DVP&Rs.
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
• Develop ESOW (Engineering Statement of Work), EC (Engineering Concepts), and participate in the Sourcing Process (SOBA, ED&T review, piece cost, and tooling cost review).
• Identify validation, durability, and functional tests required as per SDS and ES (DVP/FEDE).
• Address issues with root cause analysis (8Ds, 3x5Why) and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Apply knowledge of Six Sigma principles.
• Define and verify engineering prototype requirements at the part level.
• Support parts implementation/sign-off at assembly plants and assist with quality issues at all milestones.
• Review the impact of PDL revisions and proceed accordingly if affected.
• Collaborate with STA with technical assistance through the Supplier Engagement Process.
• Deliver by applying the One Ford Behaviors.
• Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites when required.
• Travel to North America plants when required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms (can include experience from internships and coursework).
• Experience with automotive latching systems (e.g., side door latching, tailgate/liftgate latch), automotive product engineering, or design release engineering on body closures, seat mechanisms, or seat structures.
• Experience with farming, oil drilling, aircraft landing gear, or heavy construction mechanism product design.
• Proficiency in CAD (such as CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter) and familiarity with CAE tools and software.
• Ability to manage product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to show initiative and prioritize workload.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
• Proficiency in MS Office apps (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, MS Teams, MS Azure SharePoint).
• This position is onsite 5 days a week in the office or at a Ford plant.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in design and release of latching mechanisms, closure systems, or related mechanism applications like seats and seat structures.
• Software literacy and mechatronics experience.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis.
• 8D and 5Why corrective action and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with DFMEAs, PFMEAs, and SCCAFs.
• Knowledge of the Phased PPAP process.
• Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T.
• Ability to work in a fluid environment where vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location may not always be known.
• Ability to solve complex system issues and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations with limited standardization.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt your role to a variety of applications and issues as required.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized back-up child care.
• Family-building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, including management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Established and active employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• 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.

Pay

This position is a salary grade 6-8 and ranges from $74,300 to $166,200. Final determination of salary grade will be based on the candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility, and competitive market value.

Schedule

This position is onsite 5 days a week in the office or at a Ford plant.