CAD & Release Supervisor

Ford Motor Company; Allen Park (MI); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Parental leave

Back-up child care

Vehicle discount

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a senior leader to oversee the design and release processes for Production, Genuine Accessories, Dealer Channel, DIO, Motorcraft, Omnicraft, Service Parts, and FLA. You will lead engineers and designers to ensure components meet Ford standards and align with global cycle plans.

You will drive CAD/PLM technology deployments, manage resources, and coordinate with cross‑functional partners to deliver on schedule while maintaining high quality and process compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or equivalent with CAD/Release systems experience.
• 10+ years in automotive Design and Release or Product Engineering.
• Leadership experience supervising engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and mentorship for the Design, Release and CAD systems team.
• Serve as final authority for WERS notices and ALERT authorizations.
• Plan and manage engineering resources to support milestones.
• Ensure CAD drawings and models comply with Ford standards.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Manufacturing, Finance, Quality and Purchasing.
• Lead deployment and optimization of CAD/PLM tech across internal and external base.
• Manage hardware, software, licensing and training for the team.

Skills

Leadership

CAD

Release management

Resource allocation

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

CATIA

Teamcenter

3DEXPERIENCE

WERS

Job description

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.

In this position

This pivotal role brings vehicle personalization to life. You will oversee the design and release processes for Production, Genuine Accessories, Dealer Channel, Dealer Installed Options (DIO), Motorcraft, Omnicraft, Service Parts, and Ford Licensed Accessories (FLA). Leading a high‑performing team of engineers and designers, you will ensure that every component—from Ford Performance racing parts to everyday service items—meets Ford’s rigorous corporate standards and aligns with global cycle plans.

What You’ll Do

• Team Leadership & Development: Provide strategic direction, daily coordination, and technical mentorship for the Design, Release, and CAD systems integration team. Foster a collaborative, growth‑oriented environment through active coaching, career planning, and performance management.
• Release Management: Serve as the final authority for WERS (Worldwide Engineering Release System) notices and ALERT authorizations for the Ford Customization business unit, ensuring all drafting, releasing, and change‑management activities are executed with 100% accuracy and on schedule.
• Resource Allocation: Plan and manage engineering resources and workflows to support Ford Customization Product Development System (FCPDS) milestones, product cycle plans, and Ford Licensed Accessories (FLA) initiatives.
• Technical Standards & Quality: Guarantee that all 3D CAD models and 2D drawings comply with Ford Motor Company CAD/Drafting Standards, Ford Automotive Procedures (FAPs), and Global Methods.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Serve as the primary engineering liaison for CAD and release requirements, collaborating closely with Program Management, Manufacturing, Finance, Quality, Purchasing, and the Service Engineering Organization.
• Systems & Technology Integration: Lead the deployment and optimization of CAD software and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) technology both internally and across our external supply base.
• Operations Management: Manage hardware, software, licensing, and training requirements for the team, ensuring they have the cutting‑edge tools and reference materials required to succeed.

You’ll have

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or equivalent) preferred: comparable experience managing CAD and Release systems accepted in lieu of degree.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in automotive Design and Release (D&R), CAD, or Product Engineering, including a comprehensive understanding of the automotive product development lifecycle and prior experience supervising technical teams.
• Leadership: 2+ years of experience leading, supervising, or mentoring engineering/technical teams, with a proven track record of resource allocation and talent development preferred.
• Systems Expertise: High proficiency in CAD/PLM environments (e.g., Catia, Teamcenter, 3DEXPERIENCE) and engineering release systems (e.g., WERS or equivalent OEM release databases).

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 6 and ranges from $115,500-$218,100.

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 1-888-336-0660.

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