Design Perceived Quality Specialist

Ford Design; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 99,100 - 166,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount program

Job summary

Ford Design is looking for a Design Perceived Quality Specialist to ensure excellence in design execution for Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve product quality and maintain design assessment libraries.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in automotive design, a degree in Industrial Design, and strong problem-solving skills. This position offers a hybrid work model with excellent benefits, including medical coverage and tuition assistance.

Qualifications

• 7-8 years of studio engineering and/or design experience in an Automotive OEM.
• Deep understanding of materials and manufacturing to achieve BIC design PQ.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and build Design PQ assessment reference libraries.
• Collaborate with digital modelers to assess and develop surface excellence and perfection.
• Lead the Design PQ Discovery process.

Skills

Creative problem-solving

Team collaboration

Knowledge of automotive materials

Deep knowledge of surface development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Quality, and/or Engineering

Tools

ICEM CAD

Alias CAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

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.

The Design Perceived Quality (DPQ) Specialist is responsible for driving Best‑In‑Class (BIC) interior and exterior fit, finish, and surface execution for Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Bridging the gap between creative design, engineering, and manufacturing, this role collaborates with designers and cross‑functional partners to develop optimized surface execution and sections (understanding both “A” and “B” sides) while challenging traditional execution norms. Additionally, the role leads, from a Design perspective, competitive assessment initiatives to document and share Areas of Concern (AoC) and Areas of Excellence (AoE).

Responsibilities

• Maintain and build Design PQ assessment reference libraries.
• Improve interior and exterior perceived quality from a Design POV for both Ford and Lincoln products.
• Conduct program assessment and documentation for Design PQ that achieve excellence in all Ford and Lincoln products.
• Challenge execution norms and outdated sections to achieve BIC fit and finish, and PQ by today’s new standards.
• Share PQ assessment documents with the design team and program to prioritize the value of each element relative to customer perception.
• Work with design teams, design engineering, body engineering, craftsmanship, and manufacturing in developing sections that enable BIC PQ.
• Collaborate with digital modelers to assess and develop surface excellence and perfection.
• Assess 3D surface quality for highlights and execution.
• Build trust and maintain positive working relationships with Product Development counterparts (DTO, Craftsmanship, etc.).
• Lead the Design PQ Discovery process.
• Document current Global Ford products and Global Best‑In‑Class competitive vehicles photographically; maintain an online reference library (SharePoint site) of both Areas of Excellence and Areas of Concern for specific programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Quality, and/or Engineering.
• 7‑8 years of studio engineering and/or design experience in an Automotive OEM.
• Creative experience with knowledge of technical requirements for automotive design.
• Proficient at creative problem‑solving.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of automotive materials used in manufacturing.
• Deep knowledge of what it takes to deliver PQ excellence.
• Excellent collaborator; works well with others and exhibits a team‑player mindset.
• Deep knowledge of surface development and execution with a keen eye for design.
• Deep understanding of materials and manufacturing to achieve BIC design PQ.
• Understands “B” side surface to achieve execution excellence on the “A” side surface.
• Self‑starter with drive and initiative.

Even Better, You May Have

• Experience with OEMs who are considered to have BIC PQ.
• ICEM and Alias CAD literacy with ability to pull up and assess 3D digital data.
• Computer skills and software knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Years of direct experience with design digital tools.
• Automotive Industrial Design and/or Engineering emphasis preferred.
• Experience working in or with creative cultures.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders across complex projects.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new‑parent ramp‑up programs, subsidized backup 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; management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Active employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Generous 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 8 and ranges from $99,100 to $166,200. Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates 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.