Design Analysis Engineer

Lincoln Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 116,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Family benefits

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Ford is seeking an experienced engineer to support the Automotive Safety Office and CCRG in investigating real‑world vehicle incidents involving ADAS. You will inspect vehicles, review records, analyze technical theories, and testify in depositions and trials while coordinating with legal teams.

This leadership role involves high visibility, cross‑functional collaboration, and global impact on future design and testing practices.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering required; MS preferred.
• 5 years of automotive design experience required.
• Excellent communication and ability to work independently.
• Experience with ADAS features and hardware required.
• Willingness to travel for inspections, deposition, and trial testimony.

Responsibilities

• Support topics related to CCRG and ASO areas of Automotive Safety Office.
• Investigate the performance of Ford vehicles in real‑world accidents or incidents.
• Review and analyze engineering and product records to evaluate Ford and competitive vehicles and systems.
• Analyze technical theories, product design allegations, and technical evidence for the Office of General Counsel.
• Inspect accidents, vehicles, components, and sites to obtain technical information and evidence.
• Provide descriptions of product development and vehicle assembly processes, and other technical issues.
• Identify, locate, and analyze Company records during litigation.
• Testify as needed in deposition and trial.
• Define and direct the fabrication of supporting engineering trial presentation materials and exhibits.
• Work with OGC and outside attorneys to serve as Company Representative during trial and provide testimony.
• Provide real‑world feedback to Safety Office and Product Development to influence future designs and testing protocols.
• Training and tools will be provided for investigations.

Skills

ADAS knowledge

Vehicle dynamics

Strong communication

Independent work

Education

BS in Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

ADAS hardware

Connected vehicle data

Job description

At Ford, we’re defining the future of human mobility with a strong focus on corporate responsibility. If you share this commitment, join the diverse team of passionate professionals within our Sustainability, Environment & Safety group. You’ll be a key contributor to our efforts to provide the technical and regulatory expertise necessary for advancing such critical initiatives as product safety, emissions, fuel economy, vehicle recycling and much more.

A specialized engineering role that involves technical vehicle expertise, product safety, and legal support. The candidate will be an expert in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Experience in vehicle dynamics is also desired but not required. The candidate will be investigating how Ford vehicles/components perform in real-world incidents. This position includes getting hands‑on experience at inspecting vehicles and piecing together evidence. The role carries high visibility and responsibility; the engineer serves as technical support for Ford’s Automotive Safety Office and may serve as Ford's corporate representative and/or technical expert in depositions and trials, helping support litigation while also feeding lessons learned back into future design, testing, and documentation practices. This is a role suited to someone who thrives at the intersection of deep technical knowledge, investigative curiosity, root cause analysis and clear communication.

What You’ll Do

• Support topics related to area of expertise in the Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) and the Safety Rulemaking areas of the Automotive Safety Office (ASO)
• Investigate the performance of Ford vehicles, components, or systems in real‑world accidents or incidents.
• Review and analyze engineering and product records to evaluate and compare Ford and competitive vehicles and systems.
• Analyze technical theories, product design allegation, and technical evidence in support of Ford Motor Company products for the Office of General Counsel (OGC).
• Inspect accidents, vehicles, components, and sites to obtain technical information and evidence.
• Provide descriptions of product development and vehicle assembly processes, and other technical issues.
• Identify, locate, and analyze appropriate Company records and other information required during the course of litigation.
• Testify as needed in deposition and trial.
• Define and direct the fabrication of supporting engineering trial presentation materials and exhibits.
• Work with the OGC and outside attorneys and consultants to serve as the Company Representative during trial by observing the court proceeding, discuss opportunities with counsel, and providing testimony as required.
• Provide real‑world feedback to the Safety Office and Product Development to influence future designs, testing protocols, documentation, and processes.
• The necessary training and tools will be provided for investigations.

You’ll have

Must be an excellent communicator who works well individually and in team settings.

Even better, you may have

• BS In Engineering Required/MS Preferred.
• 5-years of automotive design experience required.
• Candidate must have a good understanding of overall vehicle systems.
• The position will support Ford production and litigation matters involving vehicle allegations for all types of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) systems (Forward Collision Warning, Blue Cruise, Rear Brake Assist, Lane Keeping System, Lane Departure Warning, etc.) and vehicle systems in general.
• Experience with ADAS features and hardware is required.
• Experience in vehicle dynamics related work and using connected vehicle data is also preferred, along with a willingness to branch out into other vehicle design areas as required.

Other Information

Must be comfortable working independently and travel is required for inspections, deposition, and trial testimony as an investigator or technical representative of the Company.

Travel is typically 2-4 trips per month (usually 1-2 nights each) though it can occasionally require 1-2 week support for trials.

This Position Requires Travel

On the weeks when traveling, the employee is expected to be in the office or traveling (i.e., if traveling 2 days, plan to be in the office for 2 days of the week).

You can choose what your Ford future will look like

Skills

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.

Internal applicants: moving into this role may result in an adjustment to your current compensation based on the posted pay range for this role, taking into consideration your qualifications and other relevant factors.

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.