Product Development Engineer - Commercial Accessories (Design & Release)

In this position...

Ford Customization (FC) develops, engineers, releases, validates, and launches a broad portfolio of accessories that complement Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Ford Licensed Accessories (FLA), part of the accessory group, develops products in partnership with suppliers and cross-functional Ford teams.

The Product Development Engineer (PDE) leads assigned programs from initial concept through production launch and serves as the primary engineering technical lead. The PDE works closely with suppliers, Program Managers, Product Planners, Manufacturing, Design, Base Vehicle Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing to ensure products meet applicable safety, regulatory, quality, functional, timing, and customer expectations. The position requires strong engineering judgment and the ability to evaluate requirements against applicable Ford vehicle requirements to establish realistic product acceptance criteria, build strong supplier relationships, provide technical direction, and resolve engineering issues to ensure successful launches.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...

• • Lead engineering activities for assigned programs from concept through production launch, including commercial accessories (shelving systems, partitions, flooring, trade packages, and others) installed at vehicle plants, modification centers, and dealer facilities.

• • Lead new-product discussions, design and technical reviews, and weekly engineering status meetings; communicate status, risks, actions, and timing to leadership and cross-functional teams.

• • Establish priorities, monitor milestones, and ensure deliverables, including WERS releases, are completed on schedule to support on-time launches.

• • Partner with Program Managers and Product Planners on new product opportunities, feasibility, and product-line planning; support business case development and the CFT process with engineering assessments, technical data, cost, and timing input.

• • Develop designs directly with suppliers: provide CAD and technical data, review supplier CAD, designs, assumptions, packaging studies, environmental considerations, and validation plans, and resolve technical issues to confirm requirements are met.

• • Ensure designs meet safety, regulatory (including FMVSS), functional, quality, durability (including CAE data), EMC, and vehicle integration requirements, including integration into commercial vans and pickup trucks.

• • Build supplier relationships, provide clear engineering direction aligned with ESOW requirements, and monitor supplier performance and deliverables against program timing and quality expectations.

  • • Review Product Development Letters (PDLs) and base vehicle changes with Base Vehicle Design and Release Engineers to identify model-year impacts and ensure accessory compatibility and validation for each model year.

  • • Coordinate and lead vehicle-level testing and validation with suppliers and Ford organizations; review and approve validation evidence, engineering documentation, and required sign-offs (FESO) supporting product release.

  • • Evaluate accessory fit, function, appearance, installation, and performance; coordinate prototype and production fit-ups (vehicles, parts, work orders) and issue product evaluation and installation reports from fit-ups, plant and modification-center evaluations, and field/dealer activities.

  • • Review, validate, and approve accessory installation instructions and customer/service documentation.

    • • Review warranty and field data to identify trends and recurring issues; lead technical investigations and corrective actions for engineering, quality, fit, function, and launch issues.

      • Maintain engineering records and documentation throughout the product development cycle.

        Launch Support

      • Coordinate modification-center trials and evaluate installation processes; support launch events and provide timely engineering direction on issues at plants, modification centers, dealers, or in the field.

      • Represent Engineering in cross-functional and supplier meetings and program forums (program assumption, weekly PAT, CFT, change control, plant launch, AIMS, and engineering staff and design reviews) with clear technical recommendations and decisions.

      • Engage program leadership, including Directors, Chief Engineers, and Program Managers, on current and future products and technical concerns.

      • Provide technical support to customers, dealers, and suppliers on accessory use, operation, installation, and maintenance.

      • Provide technical guidance to new engineers, follow engineering department processes, and support continuous improvement through AI and new technologies.

Qualifications

You'll have...

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Demonstrated experience in product development, engineering, design and release.
• Strong understanding of product development processes, engineering principles, vehicle systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to lead engineering projects and coordinate multiple programs, suppliers, and deliverables simultaneously.
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills with sound engineering judgment.
• Ability to interpret engineering requirements, CAD data, technical documentation, test results, and vehicle-level information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Preferred: experience with WERS, CAD systems, vehicle modification centers, supplier development, or automotive accessory development.

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 to 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:

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 aiapply.co.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.

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