Product Development Engineer – Quality - Powertrain Systems & Issue Resolution

Ford; Dearborn, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company seeks a Resolution-Focused Quality Engineer to drive end-to-end resolution of powertrain controls and calibration issues, uniting Quality, Product Development, and Calibration teams to prevent recurrence and improve customer satisfaction.

You will lead cross-functional 'war rooms' to define root causes, orchestrate field fixes, and ensure timely software updates and service calibrations across manufacturing and service networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related).
• 3+ years of experience in powertrain calibration and emissions validation.
• 3+ years in automotive engineering with focus on technical problem-solving.
• Experience leading root cause investigations using 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, or Red X.
• Ability to drive results in a matrixed environment without direct authority.
• Working knowledge of powertrain calibration delivery, vehicle-level data acquisition, or diagnostic monitor functionality.
• CAD usage for quality investigations; Six Sigma (DMIAC).
• Valid Driver's License.
• Note: Role posted under IPTSE - ICE Propulsion Thermal Systems Engineering; will transfer to VPSE group.

Responsibilities

• Drive End-to-End Resolution from field detection to verified fix implementation.
• Lead cross-functional task forces to define root causes and corrective actions.
• Influence engineering priorities with data-backed business cases for immediate action.
• Project manage field fixes and software/service calibrations across teams.
• Verify solution effectiveness by tracking post-implementation field performance.
• Orchestrate creation of Technical Service Bulletins and service instructions.
• Enforce Prevent Reoccurrence by capturing lessons learned for future design rules.
• Support manufacturing and launches with timely resolution of quality issues.

Skills

Powertrain calibration

Emissions validation

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

CAD usage

Six Sigma (DMIAC)

Data-driven decisions

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Jira

ADO

CANalyzer

INCA

PUMA

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 Resolution-Focused Quality Engineer to lead the rapid elimination of powertrain controls and calibration-related technical issues. In this role, you will move beyond data observation to own the end-to-end solution. You will serve as the primary driver between Quality, Product Development, and Calibration teams to ensure field issues are contained, resolved, and prevented from recurring in future programs.

This role is a critical bridge within the engineering organization. You will lead cross-functional task forces to navigate complex technical challenges and push engineering fixes through to production and the field. The ideal candidate is a proactive 'fixer' with a technical background in Powertrain Systems (ICE, Electrified/xEV, Transmission, or Driveline) and Diagnostics who possesses the influence to drive action and improve customer satisfaction.

What you'll do...

• Drive End-to-End Resolution: Lead the lifecycle of top powertrain controls and calibration concerns, managing the process from initial field detection to verified implementation of the fix.
• Lead Technical Task Forces: Orchestrate cross-functional 'war rooms' and rapid-response teams to define root causes and execute corrective actions for hardware, software, or calibration concerns.
• Influence Engineering Priorities: Negotiate with engineering and calibration departments by presenting data-backed technical business cases that demand immediate resolution action.
• Project Manage Field Fixes: Manage the rollout of software updates and service calibrations, ensuring that Service, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams are aligned to meet aggressive resolution timelines.
• Verify Solution Effectiveness: Track post-implementation performance in the field to ensure the 'fix' successfully resolved the customer concern without introducing secondary failure modes.
• Orchestrate Service Documentation: Lead the development of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and service instructions to ensure dealership and field technicians can resolve issues efficiently.
• Enforce Prevent Reoccurrence (PR): Document lessons learned and capture technical data to ensure failure modes are integrated into future design rules and 'best practice' calibration sets.
• Manufacturing & Launch Support: Drive timely resolution for launch-critical quality issues involving system functionality or diagnostic calibrations at the assembly plant.

You'll have...

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or equivalent) or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in powertrain calibration and emissions validation
• 3+ years of experience in an automotive engineering role with a focus on technical problem-solving (e.g., Quality, Systems Engineering, or Calibration).
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis investigations using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, or Red X).
• Proven ability to drive results in a matrixed environment where you must influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Working knowledge of powertrain calibration delivery, vehicle-level data acquisition, or diagnostic monitor functionality.
• The Engineer will be responsible for using CAD to support quality investigations and issue resolution. This roll also requires the usage of six sigma resolution techniques like DMIAC.
• Valid Driver's License (to support vehicle-level data collection or testing as needed).
• Please Note: This role is currently posted under the IPTSE - ICE Propulsion Thermal Systems Engineering group, after onboarding this role will be transferred to the VPSE - Vehicle Propulsion Systems Engineering group.

Even better, if you have …

Preferred

• Bias for Action: A track record of significantly reducing 'Time-to-Fix' metrics for complex technical issues.
• Quality Certification: Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Project Management Skills: Experience leading 'Tiger Teams' or using project management tools (e.g., Jira, ADO) to track issue resolution progress.
• Technical Toolset: Proficiency with vehicle networking tools (e.g., CANalyzer, INCA, or PUMA) and enterprise quality management systems.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of global emissions and On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulatory requirements.
• Communication Excellence: Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical failures into clear, actionable executive summaries for senior leadership

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply! 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 7 and 8 and ranges from $86,600-$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. For more information on salary and benefits, https://fordcareers.co/GSR.

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.