Manager –Technical Leader for Exterior Systems, Lighting & Wipers

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 268,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid parental leave

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company seeks a senior technical leader to champion Exterior Systems, Lighting, and Wiper strategies. You will guide early development, align with technology, and drive cross-functional program execution on a global scale.

The role demands a deep technical background, strategic business acumen, and ability to make data-driven decisions across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 10 years of Exterior Systems or Electro-mechanical Systems experience.
• Evidence book or portfolio detailing technical experiences and accomplishments.
• Ability to build strong stakeholder relationships across programs, purchasing, manufacturing, STA and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Define, resolve, and communicate department technical strategies, objectives, mission, and values.
• Own and manage delivery of the Exterior Systems Technology Roadmap.
• Drive continuous benchmarking across the group.
• Lead Technical Design Reviews ensuring alignment with Ford rules, quality standards, and FMA.
• Develop and deploy standard and modular solutions.
• Lead development and deployment of foundation documents (DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DVP&R, integration manuals).
• Maintain commodity standards, specifications, and verification methods.
• Collaborate with cross-functional managers to ensure technical coherence.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

DFMEAs

SCCAFs

Boundary Diagrams

P-Diagrams

DVP&R

Integration manuals

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.

Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life.We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

In this position...

Champion the deployment of the Exterior Systems, Lighting & Wiper technical strategy, to deliver globally consistent execution, stronger cross-functional alignment, and customer-focused outcomes.

This leadership position is responsible for technical content, strategy & processes for the Global Exterior Systems, Lighting, and Wiper Groups and will lead all technical aspects of our product strategy including early product concept development, business case alignment, supplier development, product verification & validation, launch/sign-off & quality assurance of products in the field.

The Technical Leader will also oversee foundation document creation & enforcement of prevent recurrence while guiding development of Exterior Systems, Lighting & Wipers standardized tools, methods & execution.

The Exterior Systems Technical Leader is a recognized and accomplished technical expert who demonstrates strong business acumen, operates effectively at a global scale, communicates confidently with all levels of leadership and has demonstrated abilities to manage ambiguity, make timely decisions, and drive program alignment.

What You’ll Do...

• Partner with the Global Chief and Management Teammates to define, resolve, and communicate department technical strategies, objectives, mission, and values.
• Own, maintain, and manage delivery of the Exterior Systems Technology Roadmap
• Drive continuous benchmarking across the group
• Drive Technical Design Reviews to ensure solutions are aligned with Ford Design Rules, Requirements, Quality standards, and rooted in Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA)
• Drive development and execution of standard and modular solutions
• Lead development & deployment of all commodity foundation documents including DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DVP&R & integration manuals
• Oversee ongoing maintenance/updates of commodity specific standards, specifications & verification methods
• Partner with cross functional managers to maintain technical coherence and cross program consistency
• Partner with Studio, Program Management, and Architecture to ensure early development is aligned with available technology and prioritization of the customers’ needs
• Drive Prevent Recurrence processes and Campaign Prevent Activities for the Global Exterior Systems, Lighting, and Wiper Groups
• Support Critical Concern Review Group topics for Global Exterior Systems, Lighting, and Wiper Groups
• Provide technical advice to Automotive Safety Office, Office of General Council & Design Analysis
• Construct & develop simple and complex business cases for various designs & commercial negotiations
• Support the professional development of the Global Exterior Systems, Lighting, and Wiper Groups -Guide & oversee training, mentoring & provide consulting to department engineers, supervisors & other interfacing functions

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field
• 10 years of experience in Exterior Systems (Fascias, Bumpers, Ornamentation, Lighting, Wipers, Exterior Mirrors & Running boards) or Electro-mechanical Systems
• Candidate must provide an evidence book or portfolio detailing technical experiences, key accomplishments, recognitions, training, publications, patents & other supporting evidence
• Ability to build strong working relationships with all stakeholders including program teams, purchasing, manufacturing, STA & suppliers

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 15+ years of experience in Exterior Systems or Electro-mechanical system design, specifically focused on Wipers, mechanisms, latching or lighting.
• An aptitude for developing people & processes
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis
• Extensive experience working with FMVSS and IIHS safety critical systems & components

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 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 5 and ranges from $141,700-$268,300.

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.

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. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.