Technical Leader - Exterior Systems and Lighting

Exterior Systems Technical Leader

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!

In this position, a senior technical leadership role within Exterior Systems, Vehicle Hardware Engineering, you will be responsible for technical content, strategy & processes. In this role, you will serve as the Technical Leader for all Exterior Systems related matters ensuring robust design & delivery of components & vehicle systems.

This position will lead all technical aspects of global Exterior Systems product strategy, including product concept development, business case approval, supplier development, product development, verification & validation, launch/sign-off & ongoing support & quality assurance of products in the field. In addition, the Exterior Systems technical leader will develop & lead professional development of global Fascia Systems, Lighting, Wiper Systems & Exterior Ornamentation team members, oversee foundation document creation & enforcement of prevent recurrence, guiding development of Exterior Systems standardized tools, methods & execution.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...

• Lead design of new concepts to improve Exterior Systems performance & provide leadership & support for timely implementation
• Monitor & investigate new Exterior Systems technologies to maintain company position as industry leader in this field
• Guide & oversee training, mentoring & provide consulting to department engineers, supervisors & other interfacing functions
• Support Campaign Prevent for Exterior Systems
• Support CCRG for Exterior Systems matters
• Provide technical advice to ASO, OGC & Design Analysis
• Construct & develop simple and complex business cases for various designs & commercial negotiations
• Guide development of modular system tools, methods & processes
• Lead development & ongoing maintenance/update of commodity specific standards, specifications & verification methods
• Lead development & deployment of all commodity foundation documents including DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DVP&R & integration manuals
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA)
• Lead supplier selection & development with cross-functional teams
• Lead & drive prevent recurrence process for Exterior Systems & components
• Ability to share & present work to cross-functional teams and executive leadership

Qualifications

You'll have...

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field
• 10 years of experience in Exterior Systems design & release
• Candidate must provide an evidence book detailing technical experiences, key accomplishments, recognitions, training, publications, patents & other supporting evidence

Even better, if you have …

Preferred

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 15+ years of experience in Exterior Systems / Electro-mechanical system design & release
• Strong understanding of Lighting and Wiper Systems
• An aptitude for developing people & processes
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis
• CATIA V5 capable & strong familiarity with ADAMs
• Extensive experience & strong TMM working on safety critical systems & components
• Ability to build strong working relationships with all stakeholders including program teams, purchasing, manufacturing, STA & suppliers

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 leadership level 5 and ranges from $141,700-$268,300.

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.

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.

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Job Info

• Job Identification 62424
• Job Category PD Operations and Quality
• Posting Date 05/27/2026, 05:24 PM
• Apply Before 06/09/2026, 12:00 AM
• Degree Level Master's Degree or equivalent
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 20901 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI, 48124, US (Hybrid)