Ford Racing Body Structures Technical Specialist

Lincoln Motor Company; Allen Park (MI); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Paid time off

Vehicle discount

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Body Structures subject matter expert and technical leader for Ford Racing in the United States.

You will own foundational engineering decisions for body and chassis structures, guide a team from pre-program through launch, and collaborate with design studios, CAE, Vehicle Architecture and manufacturing to deliver high‑quality, lightweight solutions that carry Ford Racing DNA.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Body Design/Release
• 6+ years in Body Structures
• Expert BIW knowledge and regulatory compliance
• Experience from pre-program through launch
• Proficiency with CAE, FEDE, CATIA, TCE, 3DX

Responsibilities

• Own development and sign-off of body structures decisions
• Mentor a team and lead suppliers to deliver Ford Racing programs
• Lead innovative designs using CAE and generative tools
• Create verification plans and test methods
• Optimize designs for impact, durability, NVH
• Collaborate with design studio, Vehicle Architecture and Manufacturing to confirm BIW fit

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Problem solving

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Materials Science / Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

FEDE

CAE/CATIA

TCE

3DX

Job description

In this position... You will be the Body Structures subject matter expert and technical leader for Ford Racing.

You will own the foundational engineering decisions for body and chassis structures, including concept development, load path optimization and advanced materials.

You will guide a team of engineers and SMEs from pre-program through launch.

You will work with design studios, CAE, Vehicle Architecture, Manufacturing and suppliers to deliver high-quality, low-investment solutions that carry the Ford Racing DNA into current and future vehicles.

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.

What You'll Do...

• Own the development, sign-off and maintenance of foundational Body Structures engineering decisions, including upper and lower structures, systems integration and load paths, and lead the total system integration to meet our Ford Racing DNA & vehicle targets
• Guide and mentor a team of engineers and SMEs, and lead Full-Service Suppliers and other internal and external resources to deliver Ford Racing programs
• Lead innovative designs using CAE, generative design tools and competitive benchmarking. Partner with the CAE team to refine simulation and correlation methods, and develop novel construction and joining techniques through to production feasibility
• Create component and subsystem design verification plans and test methods
• Optimize designs through analytical and physical assessment to meet structural targets (impact, NVH, durability, torsional stiffness) and all regulatory requirements
• Partner with design studio, Vehicle Architecture, Advanced Engineering, Manufacturing and plants to confirm body-in-white (BIW) fit and dimensional capability, and present concepts and program status to senior management

You'll have...

• B.S. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or a related physical science field. or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 10+ years of experience as a Body Design and Release Engineer or similar, including 6+ years specific to Body Structures and/or exterior structural components (stampings, panels, joining)
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of the product and supply base (stampings, assembly, extrusions, castings, joining, regulatory) and of BIW attribute delivery (Safety, Durability, Corrosion, NVH, TASE)
• Experience in all program phases from pre-program through launch, including one major (scale 4–6) program.
• Working knowledge of Design, Analysis, Verification, Quality, Manufacturing and Assembly methods, and of the engineering toolset (FEDE, CAE/CATIA, TCE, 3DX)
• Strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills, the ability to teach, coach and mentor, and the ability to work with little oversight

Even better, you may have...

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or a related physical science field
• Experience presenting at technical conferences or publishing technical papers.
• Patents, invention or defensive disclosures, trade secrets or technical publications
• Advanced Technology (GTDS) experience, especially mixed-material and lightweight structures, including electrified vehicle platforms
• Experience with GPDS/GTDS processes, timing and delivery requirements
• Experience writing DFMEAs, SCCAFs, engineering specifications, requirements or design rules
• Experience with GD&T and dimensional strategy
• Multiple automotive launches

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 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.

For more information on salary and benefits: https://fordcareers.co/LL6

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.

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