Class A - Surface Designer

Ford Design; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Immediate medical, dental, vision and 

prescription drug coverage

Flexible family care days, paid paren

tal leave, new parent ramp-up programs

Subsidized back-up child care and more

Vehicle discount program for employees

Tuition assistance

Paid time off for community service

Paid holidays including Christmas week

Paid time off and extra vacation time

Job summary

Ford Design seeks an experienced surface development engineer focused on Class A exterior and interior surfaces. You will manage cross-system surface progression, ensure interfaces remain designed-in-context, and maintain a coordinated Class A surface database throughout program milestones.

You will mentor junior designers, support K-Loops, and collaborate with Design Studio, Engineering, and Manufacturing to sustain design intent while meeting schedule and data integrity requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience in Class A Surfacing for vehicle programs.
• Ability to manage surface data and interfaces across systems.
• Familiarity with design development milestones and GPDS.

Responsibilities

• Lead program surface progression and evaluations.
• Ensure full system surface compatibility across interfaces.
• Maintain a coordinated Class A surface database (Reference Manager).
• Incorporate technical and program requirements into surface designs.
• Lead reviews and resolve surface data issues.

Skills

Class A Surfacing

Surface Data Management

Visualization Tools

Education

High School/GED

Associates degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Tools

ICEM Surf

CATIA ISD

Alias

Teamcenter

Reference Manager

Job description

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world – together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

Join us in shaping the future of Ford Motor Company, as part of a global organization with exceptional colleagues in world-class facilities. As part of Ford Design, you’ll be at the cutting edge of Ford’s most strategically critical work, designing people and society’s needs into the heart of our next generation of products, services, and experiences.

Surface Development Primary is the leader of surface quality and Class A surface on the program. As part of Ford Design, the primary integrates engineering requirements while maintaining the design vision.

What You’ll Do...

• Leads program surface progression of Design and surface expert evaluation, and critique sheet process
• Leads cross-system surface execution to ensure full system surface compatibility
• Confirms all program surface interfaces are “Designed-in-Context” to a coordinated data set including supplier data
• Develops and maintains a coordinated Class A surface database (i.e. Reference Manager)
• Ensures incorporation of appropriated technical, attribute and program requirements into surface whilst maintaining the design vision.
• Drives resolution of surface data issues by leading power wall and digital reviews
• Manages surface changes in SDMS (Surface Data Management system)
• Maintain program product structure and part history in Teamcenter to accurately represent evolution of design and change control
• Supports DTO Supervisor with workload distribution, and prioritization of assignments within Surfacing Team
• Facilitate program surface progression through the K-Loops. Develop and assist (mentor) Class A Surface Designers in the delivery of feasible math surfaces aligned with program milestones requirements that delivers design intent
• During the K-Loops, lead surface development pre-Discovery Complete and post-Discovery Complete lead the incorporation of technical requirements into the surface. On applicable programs, work with Production Studio post K6 to ensure Design vision is maintained through the surface verification process.

You’ll have...

• 5+ years of experience in Class A Surfacing (Exterior and Interior commodities, Total Vehicle System Compatibility). Demonstrates creative and artistic insight, and ensure progression of surface data consistent with Design Language
• Strong technical skills in Class A Surfacing Tools, Data Management and Visualization Tools (e.g. ICEM Surf, CATIA ISD, Alias, Team Center, Reference Manager)
• High School/GED required

Even better, you may have...

• Associates degree or equivalent. Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Strong understanding of Design Development and Feasibility Process, and how they drive the design process through the FC / UPVX / FAA GPDS milestones
• Understanding of the Craftsmanship, DPA Process and System Compatibility.
• Proven ability to evaluate design alternatives and provide a recommendation
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills including ability to plan and organize work utilizing departmental project management tools (e.g. Surface Tracker, Surface Change Request System, etc.). Able to develop and track a plan to deliver geometry through the GPDS milestones
• Good communication skills, collaborative behavior for daily interaction with Design Studio, Engineering, Manufacturing and other affected activities
• Knowledge of Microsoft suite (Power Point and Excel)

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 open to salary grades 6-8. Salary grade 6 ranges from $74,300-$124,500, salary grade 7 ranges from $86,600-$144,900, and salary grade 8 ranges from $99,100-$166,200.

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. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.