EV Prototype Build Lead & Program Manager

Ford; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Hybrid work arrangement

Vehicle discount program

Job summary

Ford in Michigan seeks a Prototype Build Leader to orchestrate early concept prototypes through Design Confirmation Vehicles. You will coordinate engineering planning, build events, and test execution with teams in California and Dearborn, ensuring parts arrive on time and plans meet quality targets.

You will drive cross-functional execution, manage schedules, budgets, and supplier coordination, and report status to senior leadership. Hybrid onsite four days/week in a leadership role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or equivalent technical field strongly preferred; candidates with a strong program/technical program management background will also be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive or related program/product delivery roles.
• Demonstrated ability to own program schedules and drive cross-functional teams to on-time milestones.
• Experience with budget tracking and cost management on complex programs.
• Strong understanding of prototype vehicle build processes and verification/validation builds.

Responsibilities

• Lead prototype build execution for an all-new EV program, delivering verification builds ahead of plant implementation.
• Coordinate engineers across vehicle functions to align build timing and technical readiness.
• Own and manage build timing/schedule, driving on-time milestones and issue reporting.
• Track program budget, flag risks, and drive corrective actions to meet targets.
• Manage on-time supplier part delivery and build execution of parts and properties.
• Identify and resolve geometrical and system-level incompatibilities using first-principles problem solving.
• Present program status, risks, and milestones to leadership during reviews.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Autonomy

Budget tracking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Confluence

JIRA

MS Office

Job description

Ford in Michigan seeks a Prototype Build Leader to orchestrate early concept prototypes through Design Confirmation Vehicles. You will coordinate engineering planning, build events, and test execution with teams in California and Dearborn, ensuring parts arrive on time and plans meet quality targets.

You will drive cross-functional execution, manage schedules, budgets, and supplier coordination, and report status to senior leadership. Hybrid onsite four days/week in a leadership role.