Manufacturing Specialist - Paint

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Parental leave and family care support

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off and holidays

Community service time off

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Paint Manufacturing Specialist in Michigan to lead in-house paint operations for Motorsports and race-proven programs. You will own equipment selection, processes, quality standards, and a team focused on delivering prototype to race-ready finishes.

The role requires 7+ years in automotive/motorsports paint, a Bachelor's in engineering or related field, and strong cross-functional collaboration with Design, Manufacturing, and Program teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Manufacturing or related field.
• 7+ years in automotive or motorsports paint processes.
• Experience leading or mentoring technicians or a small team.
• Strong cross-functional communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and elevate in-house paint and coatings operations for Motorsports, road car programs, and customization opportunities.
• Own equipment selection, processes, quality standards, and team performance behind painted surfaces.
• Design paint process standards, work instructions, and quality checkpoints for prototype and production finishes.
• Develop and continuously improve paint process standards to ensure high-durability, race-ready finishes.
• Partner with Design and Release engineers to align paint scheduling with build timing and milestones.

Skills

Paint manufacturing

Leadership/mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Process optimization

Quality standards

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing or related

Tools

Coatings equipment

Surface preparation knowledge

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.

Racing is where our story began.

In 1901, Henry Ford climbed into a car he built himself—\"Sweepstakes\"—and beat America's most famous driver. He wasn't a racer, but he had to win. He did. Ford Motor Company was born from that victory.

That fighting spirit lives on in Ford Racing today. We're the engineers, strategists, and competitors who bring Ford's track-tested edge into every vehicle we build. Every track, every stage, every proving ground—that's where we prove ourselves.

The result: one of the world's most iconic brands, legendary nameplates, and a team unmatched in the industry.

Our mantra: Race to win, engineer to lead.

If you're a competitor, innovator, or performance obsessive, Ford Racing is where you belong. Help us write the next chapter.

In this position...

• Ford Racing is looking for a Paint Manufacturing Specialist to lead and elevate our in‑house paint and coatings operations supporting Motorsports, our race‑proven road car programs, and customization opportunities.
• In this role, you will own the equipment selection, processes, quality standards, and team performance behind every painted surface that leaves our shop—from prototype bodywork to race‑ready liveries—ensuring every finish reflects the standard of a championship‑caliber organization.
• You’ll bring hands‑on paint manufacturing expertise together with the leadership skills to guide a team, optimize processes, and partner across Design, Manufacturing, and Program teams to grow our business.

What You'll Do...

• Provide up‑front analysis and selection of paint equipment for a new facility tailored to low‑volume applications with a high level of flexibility for customization.
• As appropriate, identify and implement new coatings technologies, materials, and equipment to improve quality, reduce cycle time, and avoid unnecessary capital investment.
• Design process and standards for surface preparation, coatings application, curing, and finish quality inspection for prototype, race vehicles, and production products.
• Develop and continuously improve paint process standards, work instructions, and quality checkpoints to ensure consistent, high‑durability, race‑ready finishes
• Partner with Design and Release engineers and Program teams to align paint scheduling, materials, and finish requirements with build timing and program milestones.
• Guide, coach, and develop a team of paint technicians, fostering a culture of craftsmanship, safety, and continuous improvement

You'll have...

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience in automotive/motorsports paint operations
• 7+ years of demonstrated hands‑on experience in automotive or motorsports paint processes, including surface preparation, spray application, curing, and finish quality inspection
• A practical understanding of low volume customers and what how expectation differs on high dollar products vs high volume products.
• Working knowledge of coatings materials, equipment, and industry quality/durability standards
• Prior experience leading, supervising, or mentoring technicians or a small team
• Strong communication skills with the ability to partner cross‑functionally with engineering and program teams
• Self‑starter with a passion for winning and a low tolerance for excuses or shortcuts on quality

Even better, you may have...

• Masters degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience in automotive/motorsports paint operations
• Experience in a motorsports, racing, or high‑performance automotive environment
• Experience in low‑volume niche product painting
• Familiarity with specialty finishes, liveries, and quick‑turnaround paint requirements typical of racing programs
• Experience with Paint Protection Film (PPF) or other vehicle wrap technologies
• Experience introducing new coatings technologies or process improvements to reduce cycle time or cost
• Enthusiast background, with a passion for racing or performance products

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 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.

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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