Product Development Engineer- Seat Complete

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount program

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Seat Complete Engineer to design, develop, release, and launch full seat systems. You will drive CAD/BOM processes, manage quality, weight and cost, and lead cross-functional teams across GPDS from concept to Job 1.

You will craft DVPs, ensure SDS adherence and federal compliance, and coordinate with seats teams, safety, studio, purchasing, and suppliers. Hybrid work in the U.S. is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of experience with complete seat systems and/or components in automotive domain
• Proficiency with parametric CAD tools and Teamcenter/VisMockup/CAD suites
• Strong MS Office skills including MS Project
• Excellent communication skills and cross-functional collaboration

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, release, and launch seat systems/components through GPDS from PRE-PSC to J1
• Manage Quality, Weight, Cost, and Timing for assigned parts
• Lead program meetings and coordinate with Seat Complete, Structure, Features, Studio, Safety, VO, Purchasing, and Suppliers
• Develop and execute Seat system/component DVP and ensure SDS and Federal Regulations compliance
• Create and maintain PDP timing charts and support CAD/BOM releases
• Support CAD data integration and design rule propagation within Ford PLM

Skills

Strong communication skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

2D/3D CAD

Teamcenter

VisMockup

CATIA

Solid Edge

Solid Works

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

Are you passionate about shaping the future of automotive comfort and safety? The interior systems engineering at seat is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Seat Complete Engineer to join our product development team in the USA. In this critical role, you will be at the forefront of designing, developing, releasing, and launching complete seat systems and components, playing a pivotal part in the Global Product Development System (GPDS) from concept to Job 1. You will be responsible for managing Quality, Weight, Cost, and Timing for your assigned parts, ensuring compliance with all System Design Specifications (SDS) and Federal Regulations. This position offers an exciting opportunity to collaborate with diverse cross‑functional teams, lead integration efforts, and bring innovative seating solutions to life in a fast‑paced and challenging environment. If you are a proactive problem‑solver with a strong engineering background and a desire to make a tangible impact on the driving experience.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, release, and launch seat systems or components through Ford's Global Product Development System (GPDS), from PRE-PSC (Program Strategic Confirmation) to J1 (Job 1).
• Manage Quality, Weight, Cost, and Timing for assigned parts throughout the product lifecycle.
• Actively participate in and lead program-related meetings, including To4, Seat Complete, EMMs, TDRMs, supplier meetings, and purchasing meetings, as required.
• Develop and execute Seat system/component level Design Verification Plans (DVP), support vehicle/system level DVP, and ensure full compliance with all System Design Specifications (SDS) and Federal Regulations, including unique Export Market Requirements.
• Create and maintain a detailed timing/Gantt chart (PDP) for assigned parts and projects to track progress and milestones.
• Document and maintain a list of recurrence prevention actions, lessons learned, and required design rules, cascading this knowledge to the Core team for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate effectively with various internal and external stakeholders, including Seat Complete, Seat Structure, Seat Features, Studio, Safety, Craftsmanship, Vehicle Operations (VO), Product Verification & Test , Suppliers, Tool shops, Purchasing, Finance, and Program teams, to ensure design intent meets all requirements.
• Lead the integration of seating components into the overall seat system, ensuring seamless functionality and performance.
• The Product Development Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis. This role also includes facilitating supplier data integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.
• The Product Development 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.
• The Product Development Engineer will perform feasibility analyses using CAD tools, including draft angle analysis, undercut detection, minimum bend radius validation for sheet metal, and clearance checks to support manufacturing and machining requirements.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience with complete seat systems and/or components in an automotive domain or similar.
• The D&R Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis. This role also includes facilitating supplier data integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements. (1 year of CAD experience)
• 2D/3D CAD capable on parametric software and Teamcenter, VisMockup, CATIA, Solid Edge, Solid Works, or equivalent.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, including MS Project.
• Strong communication skills.

Even better, if you have ...

Preferred

• Master's degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in product development and parts verification/validation.
• Knowledge and experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Ability to read and conceptualize 2D and 3D Engineering Drawings, including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).

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.