Automation Engineer - Final Assembly

Ford; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount program

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Dearborn is seeking an Automation Engineer to lead machinery, equipment, tooling, and automation projects from concept to launch. You will partner with suppliers and plant teams to deliver safe, reliable equipment and ensure readiness across manufacturing lines.

The role requires up to 60% travel during launch and a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent, with 3+ years of relevant manufacturing experience. Hybrid work arrangement with onsite four days a week is expected.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in machinery, equipment, tooling, automation, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing projects, tracking deliverables, and meeting schedules.
• Experience working with equipment suppliers and manufacturing or plant teams.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel up to 60% during launch activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage machinery and equipment automation projects from concept through installation and launch.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and issue lists.
• Communicate equipment requirements and timelines to suppliers.
• Oversee supplier design, fabrication, and testing activities.
• Lead or support tool and equipment design reviews.
• Coordinate buy-off activities and resolve deficiencies.
• Plan equipment installation, integration, and implementation with plant teams.
• Provide on-site support during installation, commissioning, and launch.
• Support plant readiness by coordinating documentation and handoff.
• Lead meetings to communicate status, manage risks, and resolve issues.
• Document lessons learned and support continuous improvement.
• Support SQDCPMEI initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Supplier coordination

Equipment automation

Problem solving

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

This position will lead machinery, equipment, tooling, and automation projects from initial concept through supplier buy-off, plant installation, and launch. The engineer will manage project deliverables, oversee equipment suppliers, support tool design, and work closely with manufacturing plant teams and cross-functional partners to implement safe, reliable equipment. A self-driven, organized, and collaborative individual is sought to support successful project delivery and plant readiness.

The position requires travel of up to 60% during launch activities.

Position Duties

• Manage machinery and equipment automation projects from concept and supplier engagement through installation, launch, and plant handoff.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and open-issue lists to support project objectives and milestones.
• Communicate equipment requirements, technical specifications, timelines, and deliverables to suppliers.
• Oversee supplier design, fabrication, assembly, and testing activities, addressing issues and tracking progress against project plans.
• Lead or support tool and equipment design reviews to ensure designs meet manufacturing, safety, quality, and operational requirements.
• Coordinate equipment buy-off activities, including reviewing test results, documenting deficiencies, and following issues through to resolution.
• Work with plant teams and cross-functional partners to plan equipment installation, integration, and implementation.
• Provide on-site support during equipment installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and launch activities.
• Support plant readiness by coordinating equipment documentation, training, and handoff to plant personnel.
• Lead meetings with suppliers, plant teams, and cross-functional partners to communicate status, manage risks, and resolve issues.
• Document lessons learned and support continuous improvement of equipment designs, project execution, and launch processes.
• Support Department Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People, Morale, Environment, and Innovation (SQDCPMEI) initiatives.
• Travel up to 60% during launch activities.

Required

• Engineering degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in machinery, equipment, tooling, automation, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing projects, tracking deliverables, and meeting schedules.
• Experience working with equipment suppliers and manufacturing or plant teams.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple projects and teams.
• Ability to travel up to 60% during launch activities.

Preferred

• Experience with equipment design reviews, supplier oversight, and equipment buy-off.
• Experience supporting equipment installation, commissioning, and manufacturing launches.
• Knowledge of tooling, automation, robotics, controls, and related manufacturing equipment.
• Experience identifying and resolving equipment performance, safety, and quality issues.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, and supplier deliverables.
• Experience working in an automotive manufacturing environment.

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 6-8 and ranges from $74,300-$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.

Visa sponsorship is 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 1-888-336-0660.

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