Product Development Engineer

Ford; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Parental leave and family care support

Vehicle discount program and other FS

Job summary

Ford Dearborn seeks a talented Core Closure Electronic Engineer to define and own the electronic hardware requirements for critical closure subsystems across Ford’s electrical architectures. You will lead hardware design, perform load analysis, and ensure ISO 26262 compliance while coordinating with suppliers and internal teams.

You will drive system compatibility reviews, support DV/PV plans, review design specs, and provide guidance on ECU interfaces and harness integration across multiple

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering required.
• 5+ years of experience in electronic circuit design, automotive control systems, or similar complex embedded hardware.
• Thorough understanding of analog and digital hardware systems in automotive context.
• In-depth knowledge of the automotive product development lifecycle from concept to mass production.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting automotive electrical distribution schematics.
• Strong understanding of EMC specifications and mitigation techniques.
• Proficiency with engineering analysis methods including WCCA using tools like MathCAD or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead electronic hardware design development for closure subsystems, collaborating with suppliers and design teams.
• Define and ensure adherence to technical specifications and Ford requirements for closure subsystem electronics.
• Perform load analysis and management to optimize power distribution and reliability.
• Collaborate with Functional Safety teams to ensure ISO 26262 compliance.
• Ensure integration of closure electronics with interfacing subsystems and components.
• Interface with suppliers to clarify Ford requirements and manage design deviations.

Skills

Electronic circuit design

Automotive control systems

Schematic reading

EMC knowledge

WCCA analysis

Problem solving

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Master’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

MathCAD

CANalyzer / CANoe

Ford product development tools (FEDEBOM, Team Center, 3DX)

Job description

In this position...

A Product Development Engineer is responsible for defining, own, and enforcing the electronic hardware and interface requirements for critical closure subsystems within Ford's electrical architectures. These subsystems include, but are not limited to, Door Control Units, Frunk Control Units, and Rear Gate Control Units, which integrate a multitude of body module functionalities such as load profile management, power bus control, Key Off Load management, window control, and other door & gate subsystems.

This role is critical in ensuring robust hardware design, efficient IC selection, and adherence to component capabilities across all functional electrical and ambient ranges. The Core Closure Electronic Engineer will maintain rigorous requirements across body module interfaces for applicable vehicle programs, from concept to production.

What you'll do...

• Lead the electronic hardware design development for closure subsystems, collaborating closely with suppliers, system design and architecture teams.
• Define, author, and ensure strict adherence to technical specifications, industry standards, and Ford-specific requirements for closure subsystem electronics.
• Perform comprehensive load analysis and management to optimize power distribution, prevent overloads, and ensure robust functionality across all integrated features.
• Collaborate with Functional Safety teams to ensure all electronic designs comply with relevant safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262 principles).
• Ensure seamless integration and compatibility of closure electronics with interfacing vehicle subsystems and components.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with suppliers to clarify Ford requirements, drive robust component development, and manage design deviations as necessary.
• Act as a key technical liaison with internal stakeholders including Purchasing, Quality, and Vehicle Platforms.
• Lead and conduct vehicle system compatibility reviews for closure subsystems at key GPDS (Global Product Development System) milestones.
• Lead and support root cause analysis and resolution of product-related issues (e.g., build, plant, field) for closure electronics.
• Author and release Closure subsystem Requirements (RQTs) within Ford's engineering documentation systems (e.g., FEDE).
• Review and approve Closure subsystem Module Component Design Specifications (CDS).
• Provide technical support and guidance to global Body Module/Zonal Module application engineers.
• Investigate and assess the technical feasibility of new closure subsystem features and requirements, conducting comprehensive trade-off analyses for cost, quality, and reliability.
• Lead Worst Case Circuit Analysis (WCCA) for closure module hardware designs and drive resolution of identified issues.
• Support the development and release of component-level Hardware Specifications and Device Transmittals for closure modules.
• Review and provide ultimate sign-off authority for Design Verification (DV) and Process Validation (PV) plans and reports (DVP&R), ensuring compliance with specifications.
• Lead reviews and problem resolution for identified test failures, developing and implementing resolution plans with suppliers.
• Develop and maintain Failure Mode Analysis documentation for closure components.
• Prepare for and lead technical design review meetings, representing Closure Module teams (e.g., DCU, FHCM, RGTM, Zonal Module) in management and vehicle program reviews to explain and defend technical findings and recommendations.
• Leverage technical expertise to rigorously review and analyze supplier simulation and verification results for analog, digital hardware, and firmware.
• Actively participate in the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for Global Closure Modules.

You'll have...

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
• 5+ years of experience in electronic circuit design, specifically within automotive control systems or similar complex embedded hardware
• Thorough understanding of analog and digital hardware systems, particularly as applied to automotive control systems
• In-depth knowledge of the automotive product development lifecycle from concept to mass production
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting automotive electrical distribution schematics
• Solid understanding of EMC specifications and mitigation techniques
• Proficiency in engineering analysis methods, including Worst Case Circuit Analysis (WCCA) using tools like MathCAD or similar simulation software
• Proficiency with laboratory test equipment (e.g., multi-meters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers)
• Experience with PCB design and manufacturing processes
• Strong critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex technical information effectively.

Even better, you may have...

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering
• 10+ years of experience in electronic circuit design or similar experience within the automotive industry
• Familiarity with the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
• Experience with Vector tools such as CANalyzer or CANoe
• Proficiency with Ford product development system applications (e.g., WERS, FEDEBOM, Team Center, Integrator, 3DX, etc)

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 childcare 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 5-8, and ranges from $65,100-$166,200.

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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