Manufacturing Engineer (Vision SME)

Vision System Subject Matter Expert

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.

As part of our Manufacturing team, you'll help build the world-class, state-of-the-art smart vehicles we're known for. In our plants around the world, we're constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You'll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.

In this position...

The Vision System Subject Matter Expert will develop and maintain vision system standards across Powertrain processes, assist program teams in reviewing specific vision system applications, and support launch teams and plants solve vision system issues.

What you'll do...

• Create and maintain PTME vision system standards
• Work with BoP owners to keep process standards concurrent with vision standards
• Update and maintain PTME vision system specifications
• Work with the controls organization to develop and maintain hardware standards
• Develop and maintain obsolescence plan by plant/line
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost of vision systems hardware and software
• Apply ATP standards across powertrain
• Implement proof of concept solutions in production
• Develop plans to replicate new vision solutions across plants/lines
• Benchmark powertrain facilities against BoP, PTME and ATP standards
• Maintain current process benchmark data for vision solutions
• Identify gaps to standards and develop plans to close
• Diagnose and resolve vision system issues
• Support program and plant manufacturing teams' efforts to resolve vision system FTT and detection issues
• Provide support for program teams when reviewing vision system selection
• Review OEM and vision integrator recommendations for feasibility, effectiveness, and compliance to standards

You'll have...

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science
• 5+ years automotive manufacturing experience (Powertrain a plus) OR
• 3 years commissioning (vision programming, PLC programming, robot programming) experience launching new manufacturing lines
• Hardware - Experience selecting/configuring camera hardware including vision specific hardware and phone/tablet hardware
• Understanding of traditional toolsets: pattern matching, OCR/OCV, bead inspection, and 3D point cloud analysis.
• Knowledge of OMS and ability to update it. Familiarity with Ford IT systems (Qualityworx, FIS, Google Cloud [GCP])
• Familiarity with FMA documentation
• Familiarity with error proofing validation methods (reverse FMEA, challenge process)
• Familiarity with cobots
• Familiarity with traceability requirements
• Data analysis tools

Even better, you may have...

• Six-sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Strong Controls Background
• Knowledge of AI as it applies to vision systems
• Expertise selecting lenses, and understanding depth of field, resolution, and focal length calculations
• Knowledge and application of lighting techniques (backlighting, dark-field, coaxial, structured light)
• Knowledge and application of filtering Software
• Proficiency in industry-standard platforms such as Cognex VisionPro, Keyence CV-X/XG-X, or MVTec HALCON.
• Experience in custom algorithm development using OpenCV, Python, or C++.
• Knowledge of PLC and other controls components
• Ability to read, create, and update Electrical/Controls drawings

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• 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.

This position is a salary grade 7 – salary grade 8 and ranges from $86,600-$166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: New Hire Benefits

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.