PD Engineer: Auto Transmission Shifter Systems

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Hybrid work schedule

Paid holidays

Vehicle discount program

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking an automotive engineer to own end-to-end design, packaging, integration, and release of shift system commodities. You will define requirements, manage system-level specs, and ensure safety and durability from concept to post-launch.

The role requires 2+ years in automotive engineering, knowledge of vehicle interfaces, and proficiency with CATIA, DFMEA, and DVP&R. Hybrid onsite work with global cross-functional teams is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related).
• 2+ years automotive engineering experience spanning early development through launch.
• General knowledge of vehicle systems, electronic/mechanical interfaces, and mass production processes.
• Ability to interpret 2D/3D CAD drawings and schematics (CATIA, DFMEA, DVP&R).

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end design, packaging, integration, and release of electronic and/or mechanical shift system commodities.
• Define appearance and functional requirements; manage system-level specifications and dimensional stack-ups.
• Lifecycle support from pre- to post-launch to optimize quality and cost.
• Partner with design teams to meet safety, reliability, and durability requirements.
• Interface with vehicle-level engineers to define system requirements and ensure compatibility.
• Lead supplier engagement, testing/validation, and DFMEAs; manage changes.
• Drive issue resolution using JIRA and AIMS; support milestone delivery.

Skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Project management

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CATIA

DFMEA

DVP&R

P-diagram

JIRA

AIMS

WERS

TeamCenter

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.

In this position

In this position, you will own the end-to-end development, integration, and lifecycle management of auto transmission shifter commodities (such as mechanical and/or shift-by-wire systems). The role serves as the central hub connecting hardware design, software integration, supplier management, and cross-functional teams (including HMI, Styling Studio, and Electrical Architecture) to deliver high-quality, safe, and tactilely refined shifting interfaces from initial concept through post-launch production.

What you'll do

Design, Release & Lifecycle Management

Commodity Ownership: Own the end-to-end design, packaging, integration, and release of electronic and/or mechanical shift system commodities.

Requirements & Specifications: Define appearance and functional requirements; manage design rules, system-level specifications, and dimensional stack-ups.

Lifecycle Support: Manage commodities pre- and post-launch to support ongoing quality, manufacturing feasibility, and Total Value Management (TVM) cost-efficiency initiatives.

Safety & Compliance: Partner with design teams to optimize component performance, reliability, and durability to meet key governmental safety requirements.

Systems & Software Integration

Systems Engineering: Interface with vehicle-level electrical systems engineers to define system requirements, review schematics, and ensure compatibility between interfacing modules.

Data & Software Management: Manage CAD data management interfaces, CAN messaging databases, and software interfaces between the vehicle and the device.

Craftsmanship & UX: Lead sound quality delivery and tactile craftsmanship for the user interface.

Supplier & Quality Management

Supplier Alignment: Manage the supply base for automatic transmission user interfaces, interfacing with internal Supplier Quality Engineers to lead engagement and alignment meetings.

Testing & Validation: Manage supplier- and vehicle-level testing for related software and hardware; interpret and manage DFMEAs, DVP&Rs, SCCAFs, and Control Plans.

Program Management & Collaboration

Cross-Functional Synergy: Collaborate globally with Design Studio, Human-Machine Interface (HMI)/Ergonomics, Manufacturing (VO), Feature Owners, and Electrical Architecture teams to deliver commodities on time, on target, and with best-in-class quality.

Issue Resolution: Drive rapid issue resolution using tools like JIRA and AIMS, maintaining clear open issues lists to prioritize workflow.

Milestone Delivery: Support program milestones and physical builds with necessary hardware, software, change notices (WERS), and alerts.

You’ll have

Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related).

Experience: 2+ years of automotive engineering experience spanning early development through launch.

Technical Breadth: General knowledge of vehicle systems, electronic/mechanical interfaces, and material properties/mass production processes.

Engineering Disciplines: Practical experience with engineering tools (CATIA, DFMEA, DVP&R, P-diagram) and the ability to interpret 2D/3D CAD drawings and schematics.

Supplier & Requirements Management: Experience interpreting hardware/software specifications and managing supplier deliverables.

Problem Solving: Demonstrated analytical skills with structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8Ds, 5-Whys).

Tools & Systems: Proficiency in program management and release systems (e.g., FEDE, JIRA, AIMS, WERS) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Professional Skills: Exceptionally strong communication, organization, cross-functional collaboration, and program management skills.

Even better, you may have

Advanced Degree: Master's degree in Engineering.

Electronic Module Experience: Electronic module design and release experience, switch and shifter experience preferred.

Quality Certifications: Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Manufacturing Quality: Deep understanding of the automotive PPAP process and manufacturing quality documentation (PFMEA, control plans, line flow charts).

Specialized Component Knowledge: Experience with interior illumination, injection-molded components, and craftsmanship of interior automotive components/user interfaces.

Testing & Systems Expertise: Hands-on component testing experience (bench, dyno, or vehicle) and familiarity with systems like TeamCenter, CATIA, and Global Integrator.

Electrical & Software Expertise: Knowledge of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), automotive software implementation, and CAN messaging/data management.

Global Exposure: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with global, cross-functional teams to resolve complex technical issues.

Modern Tooling: Working knowledge of commercially available AI tools and resources to drive engineering productivity.

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 $74,300-$124,500.

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.