Lead Product Development Engineer, Commercial Accessories

Lincoln Motor Company; Allen Park (MI); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Immediate medical, dental, vision and

Prescription drug coverage

Flexible family care days

Family building benefits including, up

Vehicle discount program for employees

Tuition assistance

Paid time off for community service

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Product Development Engineer to lead programs from concept through production launch for Ford and Lincoln accessories. You will coordinate with suppliers, program managers, and cross-functional teams to meet safety, regulatory, and quality targets while ensuring on-time launches.

The role requires strong engineering judgment, CAD data interpretation, and experience with product development processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Demonstrated experience in product development, engineering, design and release.
• Strong understanding of product development processes, engineering principles, vehicle systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to lead engineering projects and coordinate multiple programs, suppliers, and deliverables simultaneously.
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills with sound engineering judgment.
• Ability to interpret engineering requirements, CAD data, technical documentation, test results, and vehicle-level information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Preferred: experience with WERS, CAD systems, vehicle modification centers, supplier development, or automotive accessory development.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering activities for assigned programs from concept through production launch, including commercial accessories installed at vehicle plants, modification centers, and dealer facilities.
• Lead new-product discussions, design and technical reviews, and weekly engineering status meetings; communicate status, risks, actions, and timing to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Establish priorities, monitor milestones, and ensure deliverables, including WERS releases, are completed on schedule to support on-time launches.
• Partner with Program Managers and Product Planners on new product opportunities, feasibility, and product-line planning; support business case development and the CFT process with engineering assessments, technical data, cost, and timing input.
• Develop designs directly with suppliers: provide CAD and technical data, review supplier CAD, designs, assumptions, packaging studies, environmental considerations, and validation plans, and resolve technical issues to confirm requirements are met.
• Ensure designs meet safety, regulatory (including FMVSS), functional, quality, durability (including CAE data), EMC, and vehicle integration requirements, including integration into commercial vans and pickup trucks.
• Build supplier relationships, provide clear engineering direction aligned with ESOW requirements, and monitor supplier performance and deliverables against program timing and quality expectations.
• Review Product Development Letters (PDLs) and base vehicle changes with Base Vehicle Design and Release Engineers to identify model-year impacts and ensure accessory compatibility and validation for each model year.
• Coordinate and lead vehicle-level testing and validation with suppliers and Ford organizations; review and approve validation evidence, engineering documentation, and required sign-offs (FESO) supporting product release.
• Evaluate accessory fit, function, appearance, installation, and performance; coordinate prototype and production fit-ups and issue product evaluation and installation reports from fit-ups, plant and modification-center evaluations, and field/dealer activities.
• Review, validate, and approve accessory installation instructions and customer/service documentation.
• Review warranty and field data to identify trends and recurring issues; lead technical investigations and corrective actions for engineering, quality, fit, function, and launch issues.
• Maintain engineering records and documentation throughout the product development cycle. Launch Support
• Coordinate modification-center trials and evaluate installation processes; support launch events and provide timely engineering direction on issues at plants, modification centers, dealers, or in the field.
• Represent Engineering in cross-functional and supplier meetings and program forums with clear technical recommendations and decisions.
• Engage program leadership on current and future products and technical concerns.
• Provide technical support to customers, dealers, and suppliers on accessory use, operation, installation, and maintenance.
• Provide technical guidance to new engineers, follow engineering department processes, and support continuous improvement through AI and new technologies.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD systems

WERS

Vehicle modification centers

Supplier development

Automotive accessory development

Job description

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Product Development Engineer to lead programs from concept through production launch for Ford and Lincoln accessories. You will coordinate with suppliers, program managers, and cross-functional teams to meet safety, regulatory, and quality targets while ensuring on-time launches.

The role requires strong engineering judgment, CAD data interpretation, and experience with product development processes.