Manufacturing Engineer-Heat Treatment

RiseMe; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off & holidays

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Process Engineer to lead end‑to‑end equipment acquisition and startup for metallurgical and heat treatment processes in a hybrid Ford Powertrain setting. You will drive RFQ/SOW, supplier evaluation, and installation, ensuring cost, quality, and timing targets are met across global plants.

Responsibilities include leading specifications, managing contracts, and delivering robust processes with PFMEA, control plans, and production readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical, Materials, Mechanical, Production, or related field.
• Min of 5 years in a manufacturing environment with cross‑functional exposure.
• Experience in supplier management, purchasing specs (RFQ/ESWP).
• Budgeting and CAPEX project financial control experience.
• Strong ability to interpret complex technical drawings and specs.
• Knowledge of heat treatment and gear machining is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead equipment specification, acquisition, and installation end‑to‑end.
• Manage supplier contracts, timelines, and quality targets.
• Develop and maintain project timing plans and cost tracking.
• Create process documentation, PFMEA, control plans, and charts.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams across engineering, purchasing, and plants.
• Present program status and risks to senior leadership.

Skills

Project management

Supplier management

Heat Treatment

Engineering drawings

MS Project

Statistical tools

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical/Materials/Mechanical/Production/Industrial Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Word

Excel

Minitab

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.

As part of our Manufacturing team, you’ll help build the world-class, state-of-the-art smart vehicles we're known for. In our plants around the world, we’re constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You'll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.

In this position...

We are looking for a Process Engineer to work on the specification, acquisition, qualification, and implementation of manufacturing machines, tools, and processes, with a focus on heat treatment and metallurgy (carburizing, induction hardening, shot peening, and laser welding) applied to gears and transmission/axle components. This professional will be responsible for leading, end-to-end, the equipment acquisition, installation, and start-up cycle, as well as ensuring manufacturing feasibility, process robustness, and adherence to program cost, quality, and timing targets.

Responsibilities

Metallurgical and Heat Treatment Processes

• Lead/support the specification and acquisition of equipment, alloys, carts, automation, and related components for metallurgical processing (carburizing, induction hardening, shot peening, and laser welding).
• Qualify machines, tools, and processes using FORD tools and statistical methods, among others, implementing equipment within Powertrain plant manufacturing systems.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, implementation of lessons learned, and development of new technologies, materials, and methods related to heat treatment and related processes.
• Apply knowledge of complex technical drawing interpretation (print reading).
• Lead, end-to-end, the equipment acquisition process: technical specification (RFQ / SOW), requirements gathering, supplier evaluation and selection, and issuance of purchase requisitions.
• Conduct the purchasing process in partnership with the Purchasing department, ensuring adherence to sourcing strategies and internal quality and engineering requirements.
• Own the complete equipment delivery lifecycle: design development and approval, virtual simulations, runoff and supplier approval, shipping, installation through final anchoring, commissioning, capability studies, and start-up (power-on) at production plants, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Manage contracts with suppliers, integrators, and service providers, ensuring adherence to technical specifications, deadlines, and safety requirements.
• Take full financial ownership of the project: prepare cost estimates, control the project checkbook and authorized budgets for installations and tooling, track PO authorizations and future commitments, and document all equipment acquisition expenses.
• Develop and manage timing plans, identify deviations, and lead recovery actions when necessary.
• Ensure complete supplier documentation (manuals, installation drawings, spare parts lists, preventive maintenance plans, among others).
• Produce process documentation, including flowcharts, process illustrations, PFMEA, DCP, process sheets, visual aids, gauging instructions, and control charts, among others.
• Apply failure prevention tools (PFMEA, Control Plan, SCCAF, Error Proofing) to mitigate risks in new programs/equipment.
• Develop and implement standardized engineering solutions for equipment, with responsibility for ergonomics, safety, productivity, and process compliance.
• Document the results of engineering studies, development tests, and process improvement projects, contributing to organizational standards and lessons learned.
• Participate in the development of operational strategies such as plant layout, machine spare parts, visual factory, and scrap identification/evaluation/disposal, aiming to improve quality and reduce costs.
• Act as the main interface between engineering teams, suppliers (OEMs), plants, maintenance, and other internal areas (purchasing, quality, safety, facilities).
• Work in cross-functional teams to achieve program cost, quality, and timing targets, together with the product design team to ensure manufacturing feasibility and process robustness.
• Lead the resolution of technical and program issues, escalating to leadership when there is a significant impact on cost, timing, equipment availability, or scope.
• Coordinate labor planning, ensuring the availability of skilled labor when required for installation.
• Prepare and present status reports, program review presentations, and executive presentations to senior leadership.
• Lead/participate in project follow‑up meetings, clearly and objectively reporting risks, opportunities, and task completion status, including cost, timing, and quality indicators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical, Materials, Mechanical, Production, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• Min of 5 years of experience in Manufacturing environment
• Experience in a manufacturing plant environment.
• Experience in supplier management, technical purchasing, and preparation of purchasing specifications (RFQ/ESWP).
• Experience in schedule management, budgeting, and financial control of capital (CAPEX) projects.
• Knowledge of complex technical drawing interpretation and its application.
• Knowledge of Heat Treatment processes (continuous/batch furnaces, controlled atmospheres, carburizing, hardenability, TUS/SAT validations) will be considered a plus, but is not mandatory.
• Knowledge of gear machining and metrology.
• Computer tools: AutoCAD, Word, Excel, Minitab.
• Knowledge of and experience with statistical tools.
• Knowledge of project management tools (MS Project, Gantt charts, tracking dashboards).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to structure clear and objective presentations for executive audiences.
• Self‑motivated and autonomous professional, with a strong sense of ownership over the projects led.
• High planning and organizational capacity, with the ability to manage multiple work fronts simultaneously.
• Proactive attitude in identifying and solving problems, with analytical, data‑driven thinking.
• Proven ability to accomplish tasks and objectives, with a strong drive to achieve quality results.
• Ease of interaction and team building across cross‑functional and multicultural teams (engineering, purchasing, quality, safety, plants, suppliers).
• Willingness to learn new skills and availability to travel during critical equipment installation and commissioning phases.

Even better, you may have...

• Experience in high‑volume ferrous metallurgical processing – including heat treatment, welding, and auxiliary surface treatments – combined with hands‑on experience in tooling design for these processes.
• Experience with vacuum carburizing and pusher‑type furnaces is a plus.
• Track record of leadership in manufacturing equipment acquisition, installation, and commissioning projects.
• Familiarity with quality management and compliance systems (ISO 9001 / IATF 16949).
• Prior experience in the automotive or powertrain/battery manufacturing industry.
• Additional education in Materials Science (ferrous‑based preferred) or Mechanical Engineering with experience in metallurgical processing.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

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 a salary grade 6-8 and ranges from $72,480-162,120.

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.

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

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. #LI-Hybrid

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