Product Development Engineer-Advanced Steering Systems Mechatronics

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI, is seeking an Advanced Steering Systems Mechatronics Engineer to support development and validation of steering systems, combining systems engineering, HiL testing, test automation, and hands-on lab work.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering or similar, plus 3+ years in steering, embedded testing, or related disciplines. This is a hybrid, salary-grade role with strong benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Computer Science or similar.
• 3+ years engineering experience in Steering Systems engineering or related fields.
• Experience with HiL, lab automation, or test-system integration.
• Experience with electrical harnesses, circuits, or automotive networks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate advanced steering systems, including EPS and Steer-by-Wire, from concept through production.
• Define system requirements, verification methods, test plans, and automated test cases.
• Design, build, integrate, and maintain HiL benches, test fixtures, wiring, circuits and lab infra.
• Execute system/subsystem testing, fault insertion, troubleshooting, and failure analysis.
• Develop test automation and analysis tools using programming and automotive toolchains.
• Apply systems engineering, Functional Safety, and failure-mode-avoidance principles.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and suppliers to meet program deliverables.

Skills

Steering Systems engineering

HiL testing

Test automation

Electrical systems

Mechanical design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering or similar

MS degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering or similar

Tools

Vector CANoe

vTESTstudio

VT System

dSPACE

Speedgoat

NI VeriStand

Python

C

MATLAB/Simulink

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...
Advanced Steering Systems Mechatronics Engineer is a multidisciplinary engineer to support the development and validation of steering systems in Dearborn, Michigan. This role combines systems engineering, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) testing, test automation, and hands-on mechanical and electrical test-system development. The successful candidate will contribute in one or more of these areas while collaborating across disciplines to expand their capabilities and deliver reliable, scalable steering validation solutions.

What you'll do...

• Develop and validate advanced steering systems, including electric power steering and Steer-by-Wire, from concept through production.
• Define system requirements, verification methods, test plans, and automated test cases for functional, performance, safety, and regression testing.
• Design, build, integrate, and maintain HiL benches, test fixtures, wire harnesses, circuits, and supporting lab infrastructure.
• Execute system and subsystem testing, fault insertion, troubleshooting, and failure analysis across hardware, software, controls, and vehicle interfaces.
• Develop test automation and analysis tools using applicable programming, simulation, and automotive network toolchains.
• Apply systems engineering, Functional Safety, and failure-mode-avoidance principles to requirements, design, and validation.
• Support bench commissioning, electrical and mechanical integration, supplier technical reviews, equipment procurement, and lab-capacity improvements.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including schematics, fixture designs, bills of materials, interface definitions, test procedures, and reports.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams and suppliers to resolve technical issues and meet program deliverables.
• Contribute technical depth in one or more disciplines while developing broader capability across mechatronics and HiL engineering.

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Computer Science or similar.
3+ years engineering experience in at least one of the following areas:

• Steering Systems engineering.
• Embedded-system testing or test automation.
• HiL, lab automation, or test-system integration.
• Electrical systems, harnesses, circuits, or automotive networks.
• Mechanical design, fixtures, or electromechanical integration.

Even better, you may have...

• MS degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Computer Science or similar.

5+ years engineering experience in the following areas is preferred. Candidates are not expected to possess every listed qualification:

• Automotive steering, embedded control systems, electrification, robotics, or other mechatronic systems.
• HiL platforms and test toolchains such as Vector CANoe, vTESTstudio, VT System, dSPACE, Speedgoat, or NI VeriStand.
• Programming or test automation using Python, C, CAPL, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar tools.
• Automotive communications, including CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, Automotive Ethernet, SENT, or related protocols.
• Requirements-driven development, systems engineering, MBSE, or V-model practices.
• Functional Safety, ISO 26262, FMEA, HARA, fault insertion, or failure-mode analysis.
• Electrical schematic, wire-harness, PCB, signal-conditioning, power-distribution, or I/O design.
• Mechanical fixture design, 3D modeling, tolerancing, prototyping, BOM development, or manufacturing support.
• Laboratory debugging using oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, network-analysis tools, or similar equipment.
• Continuous integration, version control, automated reporting, or tools such as GitHub and Jenkins.
• Supplier coordination, technical design reviews, equipment procurement, facility planning, or vehicle launch.
• Steering-system development and Ford engineering processes or tools.
• Developing, executing, and troubleshooting experience with electromechanical systems test plans on HiL test bench and vehicle.

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 5 and ranges from $65,100-$109,300.

This position is a salary grade 6 and ranges from $74,300-$124,500.

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86,600-$144,900.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$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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