Lead Engineer - ED & BOM

Ford; Chennai District; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Global Engineering in Chennai seeks an experienced Automotive Engineer NPD CAD Designer Analytics Specialist to lead interiors CAD/NPD delivery and align with GPDS milestones. You will create 3D CAD for Interior Trims using Catia, 3DX, Teamcenter, and Vis-Mockup, plus 2D drawings and P-release deliverables for global programs.

You will apply data analytics with Python/SQL to forecast workloads and improve decision-making, while leveraging Ford tools to ensure FECDS compliance and robust CAD

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Automobile) or related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in Automotive Product Development.
• At least 4+ years of specialized experience in new part development (CAD/NPD).
• Proven experience supporting CAD milestones (V0/V1/V2/FDJ) within a Ford environment is highly preferred.
• Basic to intermediate hands-on experience (1+ years) applying data analysis or introductory machine learning techniques is a plus, but not a core requirement.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 3D CAD for Interior Trims (IP, CNSL, Registers, Door Trims, Hard Trims Soft Trims) using Catia, 3DX, Teamcenter, and Vis-Mockup, along with 2D drawings and P-release process deliverables for global and region-specific programs.
• Manage CDHR/BOM processes using CDHR and FEDEBOM to ensure part claiming ownership, timely CAD population, and CDHR health tracking across all program gateways; resolve CDHR NOK issues in collaboration with Engineering Suppliers.
• Perform DPA evaluations, including digital assembly checks, interface/alignment validation, distance measurements, and dynamic clearance studies using Vis-Mockup.
• Prepare and deliver precise 2D drawings in accordance with FECDS standards and Ford design rules.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with DR Engineers to ensure all CAD deliverables meet Ford standards at every gateway/milestone.
• Ensure every gateway/milestone is aligned with Ford standards and design rule requirements.
• Drive innovation by participating in efficiency initiatives such as new Catia macros or CAD process automation.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Automotive Engineer NPD CAD Designer Analytics Specialist to join our Global Engineering team in Chennai, reporting to the CAD Manager LL6. This role is primarily focused on leading the delivery of high-quality CAD engineering for Interior Trims (IP, CNSL, Registers, Door Trims, Hard Trims Soft Trims), supporting critical GPDS milestones (V0, V1, V2, FDJ) and ensuring FECDS compliance through Ford Process. You will own the entire Interiors NPD lifecycle from A-surface evaluation and surface-to-CAD conversion, through DPA evaluation using Vis-Mockup, to releasing items in Teamcenter as part of the P-release process while also preparing 2D drawings that meet Ford''s global standards and timelines.

In addition to core CAD/NPD responsibilities, this role offers an opportunity to apply data analytics and foundational machine learning skills to engineering data, helping the team identify trends, forecast workloads, and improve decision-making using tools such as Python and SQL/BigQuery. This is not a primary data science role; rather, it is intended for a CAD/NPD engineer who brings complementary analytical capability to enhance engineering efficiency and insight generation. The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented professional with strong Ford-specific tool expertise, a solid grasp of vehicle architecture and assembly sequences, and the curiosity to leverage data-driven approaches where they add value all while embodying "One Ford Behavior" in a global, collaborative environment.

CAD / NPD Engineering (Primary Focus)

• Deliver 3D CAD for Interior Trims (IP, CNSL, Registers, Door Trims, Hard Trims Soft Trims) using Catia, 3DX, Teamcenter, and Vis-Mockup, along with 2D drawings and P-release process deliverables for global and region-specific programs.
• Manage CDHR/BOM processes using CDHR and FEDEBOM to ensure part claiming ownership, timely CAD population, and CDHR health tracking across all program gateways; resolve CDHR NOK issues in collaboration with Engineering Suppliers.
• Perform DPA evaluations, including digital assembly checks, interface/alignment validation, distance measurements, and dynamic clearance studies using Vis-Mockup.
• Prepare and deliver precise 2D drawings in accordance with FECDS standards and Ford design rules.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with DR Engineers to ensure all CAD deliverables meet Ford standards at every gateway/milestone.
• Ensure every gateway/milestone is aligned with Ford standards and design rule requirements.
• Drive innovation by participating in efficiency initiatives such as new Catia macros or CAD process automation.

Data Analytics ML Support (Secondary Focus)

• Apply basic exploratory data analysis (EDA) and statistical techniques to engineering, BOM, and CDHR datasets to identify trends and anomalies relevant to NPD workload and complexity.
• Support the development of simple forecasting or predictive models (e.g., regression-based) to help estimate engineering workload and highlight complexity drivers.
• Write SQL queries (including in BigQuery) to extract and analyze engineering data as needed to support reporting and insight generation.
• Assist in building or maintaining lightweight dashboards to visualize engineering trends for team and stakeholder reviews.
• Collaborate with Analytics/Data Engineering teams when deeper AI/ML expertise is required, providing domain context and data interpretation support.

Education

• Bachelor''s degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Automobile) or related discipline.

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in Automotive Product Development.
• At least 46 years of specialized experience in new part development (CAD/NPD).
• Proven experience supporting CAD milestones (V0/V1/V2 FDJ) within a Ford environment is highly preferred.
• Basic to intermediate hands-on experience (1+ years) applying data analysis or introductory machine learning techniques is a plus, but not a core requirement.

Functional/Technical Skills CAD/NPD (Core)

• Advanced software proficiency in Catia V5, 3DX, Teamcenter, and Vis-Mockup.
• Expert knowledge of Teamcenter (AL-PL P-Release process) and Ford BOM management systems (FEDE, CDHR).
• In-depth understanding of DPA process, vehicle architecture, systems/sub-systems, and assembly sequence logic.
• Knowledge of FMEAs and engineering quality standards.

Functional/Technical Skills Data Analytics (Supporting, Good to Have)

• Working knowledge of Python for data analysis (e.g., Pandas, NumPy) and basic familiarity with common ML libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn) is a plus.
• Basic SQL skills, ideally including exposure to Google BigQuery.
• General awareness of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) tools such as Vertex AI is a plus, but not required.

Preferred Skill Sets

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to manage stakeholders, suppliers, and global customers.
• Highly motivated self-starter who can manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight GPDS timelines.
• Ability to work across time zones and diverse cultures, always demonstrating "One Ford" behaviors.