Closure System Engineering Senior Manager

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Flexible family care days

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount program

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford Motor Company in Dearborn seeks a Senior Manager for Closures Systems to own end-to-end design, strategy and delivery of components and systems worldwide.

You will lead a global team, oversee product verification, DVP&R, supplier development and milestones, and champion robust engineering sign-off, quality assurance and production launch. Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 10 years in Closures Systems & BIW design with progressive leadership.
• 3-5 years managing an engineering department with delivery results.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience with DFMEA, DVP&R and production launches.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end ownership of Closures Systems.
• Lead delivery of KPIs including Quality, Cost, Weight & Functional Performance.
• Develop and communicate department strategies, objectives and values.
• Lead engineering excellence and root-cause analysis using 3LX5W/8Ds.
• Act as technical architect/leader for Closures Systems globally.
• Oversee design reviews, FMA, and cross-functional collaboration for production-ready designs.
• Mentor engineers, oversee budgeting and resource allocation.
• Guide development of standards, tools & verification methods.
• Lead supplier selection and development with cross-functional teams.
• Develop business cases for designs and commercial negotiations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3DX/CATIA V5

Job description

In this position...

A senior technical leadership role responsible for technical content, strategy & processes. In this role, you will serve as the Senior manager for Closures Systems ensuring robust design & delivery of components & systems. The Global Manager will lead all technical & business plan aspects of Global Closures Systems strategy, including product & technology development, supplier development & selection, product verification & production validation, engineering sign-off, launch, ongoing product support & quality assurance of products in the field. In addition, the Closures Systems Senior Manager will lead professional development of global Closures Systems team members, attract high caliber talent, oversee budgeting & resource allocation, support new technology development & lead implementation, guide development of Closure Systems standardized tools, methods & execution.

What You'll Do

• Act as the business owner with end-to-end responsibility for Closures Systems
• Lead & ensure successful delivery of all engineering KPIs including Quality, Cost, Weight & Functional Performance (QCWF)
• Create a compelling vision for the organization. Lead identification & communication of department technical strategies, objectives, mission & values
• Lead & drive engineering excellence delivery & ensure robust root-cause identification & resolution using problem solving tools such as 3LX5W & 8Ds
• Act as technical architect/leader for Closures Systems on a global scale
• Own the design review process & lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA). Develop a strong cross-function working relationships with Program Vehicle Management, Studio, Body CAD, CAE, Software & Controls, EDS, vehicle engineering & Manufacturing Engineering to deliver robust production feasible designs
• Ensure adherence to FMA, DVP&R, Quality History & Prevent Recurrence
• Analyze designs during the development process & address any potential failures & error states
• Interface with all levels of management & outside activities on Closures Systems matters
• Act as technical resource & provide technical support to cross-functional & global teams
• Recommend, develop & verify applications for new & advanced Closures Systems designs & technologies
• Ensure benchmarking & technology development mechanisms are in place & that the implementation strategy supports the business goals
• Monitor & investigate new Closures 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 activities & zero mindset FSA mentality
• Support CCRG for all Closure Systems matters
• Guide development of Closures Systems 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
• Intimately know the suppliers & lead supplier selection & development with cross-functional teams
• Construct & develop simple and complex business cases for various designs & commercial negotiations
• Ability to share & present work to cross-functional teams & executive leadership

You’ll have

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field
• 10 years of experience in Closures Systems & BIW design & release with increasing levels of project & team management
• Demonstrated deep technical understanding & significant expertise & experience in Closures, BIW, stampings, closures kinematics & mechanisms, CAE, testing, quality & production launch
• 3-5 years minimum managing an engineering department with proven track record & delivery of results
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills
• Strong leadership behaviors with good collaborative decision making skills
• Ability to build strong working relationships with all stakeholders including program teams, purchasing, manufacturing, STA & suppliers.

Even better you may have

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 10-15 years of experience in BIW & Closures Systems
• An aptitude for developing people & processes
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis
• 3DX/CATIA V5 capable
• Extensive experience & strong TMM working on safety critical systems & components

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 childcare 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 leadership level 4.

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.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL4Benefits

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.