Product Development Engineer - Diesel Engine Systems

Ford; Dearborn, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off

Parental leave

Vehicle discount

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Ford seeks a highly skilled engineer to drive the design, development, integration, and release of diesel engine systems and components, supporting program milestones and quality targets.

The role can be filled at Engine Systems Engineer or Component Engineer level based on experience, with responsibility through full lifecycle from concept to production sign-off. Hybrid workplace with global opportunities and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to influence
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex supplier relationships
• Strong program management and execution skills in fast-paced environment
• Understanding of product check-in/check-out, version control, data release, and change management in PLM ecosystem Ford’s

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, integration, validation, release, and launch of diesel engine systems and components.
• Drive product development activities including concept, system architecture, tech planning, pre-program execution.
• Translate customer, regulatory, manufacturing requirements into engineering targets and drawings.
• Manage engineering changes, drawing releases, and product definition activities with change control.
• Provide on-site support at manufacturing facilities, supplier locations, and test facilities as required.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Cross-functional teams

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

GD&T

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...

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated engineer to drive the design, development, integration, and release of diesel engine systems and components, supporting product quality, performance, and program milestones.

This position may be filled at either the Engine Systems Engineer or Component Engineer level, depending on the candidate’s experience, technical expertise, and business needs. The role is responsible for the full lifecycle of diesel engine systems and/or components, from initial concept and program assumptions through final production sign-off.

What you'll do...

Engineering Leadership & Product Development

• Lead the design, development, integration, validation, release, and launch of diesel engine systems and components, ensuring alignment with performance, cost, weight, quality, durability, and functional targets.
• Drive forward model product development activities, including concept definition, system architecture development, technology planning, and pre-program execution.
• Translate customer, regulatory, manufacturing, and product requirements into engineering targets, specifications, drawings, and technical deliverables.
• Manage engineering changes, drawing releases, and product definition activities, including change control, alerts, notices, concerns, and configuration management.

Program Leadership & CPMT Execution

• Serve as CPMT Lead, owning subsystem delivery, cross-functional alignment, risk management, and achievement of program milestones.
• Lead and support key program forums, including EPMT, DPMT, design reviews, milestone reviews, and change control activities.
• Develop and execute DVP&R plans, including validation strategy, test planning, execution, results analysis, issue resolution, and formal sign-off.
• Plan, coordinate, execute, and analyze verification testing to ensure compliance with performance, durability, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Systems Integration & Supplier Collaboration

• Lead cross-functional integration with calibration, manufacturing, purchasing, suppliers, STA, and vehicle teams to ensure system compatibility, manufacturability, and launch readiness.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring design feasibility, timing, cost, and quality objectives are achieved.
• Coordinate prototype builds, vehicle integration activities, and production implementation, including Engine-as-Shipped and Engine-as-Installed releases.
• Interface with engine plants, vehicle assembly plants, suppliers, and sub-suppliers to support design development, issue resolution, manufacturing readiness, and launch execution.

Quality, Launch & Continuous Improvement

• Lead resolution of design, manufacturing, quality, warranty, and launch-related issues using structured problem-solving and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Analyze customer, field, and manufacturing feedback to identify product and process improvements, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.
• Develop and maintain engineering and quality documentation, including DFMEA, PPAP, PSW, ESOW, control plans, and launch readiness deliverables.
• Lead engine, system, and component quality metric reviews and ensure successful launch performance and production readiness.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including Total Value Management (TVM), cost reduction, quality enhancement, and process optimization activities.
• Provide on-site support at manufacturing facilities, assembly plants, supplier locations, and test facilities as required to support issue resolution, validation, and program execution.

Strategic Leadership

• Support strategic initiatives, future product planning, technology development, and continuous improvement efforts across powertrain engineering while fostering collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, and supplier organizations.

You'll have...

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, lead technical discussions, and effectively present to leadership
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex supplier relationships in a fast-paced environment
• Strong program management and execution skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate complex projects, and deliver results aligned with performance, timing, and cost targets
• The D&R Engineer is expected to understand and effectively utilize product check-in/check-out processes, version control, data release, and change management within Ford’s PLM ecosystem.

Even better, if you have …

Preferred

• Proven delivery of balanced Quality, Cost, Weight and Functional attributes for components / sub-systems.
• Utilization of Six Sigma tools & problem-solving tools. (8D’s, 3 legged 5 Why’s, etc.)
• Knowledge of functions and components of an internal combustion engine
• Knowledge of GD&T / dimensional control, PPAP and APQPprincipals.
• Prior experience executing effective quality documentation (i.e. FMEA’s, Control Plans, SCCAF’s, etc.)
• Knowledge of NVH, Materials, Durability, and Manufacturing processes.

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 - $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. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.

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