Product Development Engineer-Steering

Ford; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 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 in Dearborn, MI is seeking a Steering Engineer to own Steering Column, Locks, Shift Lever, and related assemblies through the full lifecycle. You will manage suppliers, review CAD models, and drive design for reliability and manufacturability.

The role requires 5+ years in automotive steering, CAD (CATIA), and project leadership. Hybrid onsite work to support engineering cadence and supplier collaboration is expected.

Qualifications

• Requires a BSME, BSEE or similar engineering degree and automotive engineering experience in steering systems.
• Minimum 1 year of CAD experience and 1 year of project leadership experience.
• Experience with DVP&R, DFMEA/FMEA, and design validation processes preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage steering component suppliers, including technical development and RFQ support.
• Review, release and maintain 2D & 3D CAD models and program-specific Engineering Specifications.
• Support development and maintenance of foundational standards and processes (DFMEA/FUSA, SDS Requirements, Functional Specifications, Design Rules, Interface Drawings, Test Methods).
• Review and sign off on supplier test reports and validation data.
• Deliver program timing, cost, weight and quality targets.
• Develop Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) and Reliability documentation.
• Design, develop and package Upper Steering systems and components.
• Resolve design, package, and quality issues; support Prevent Recurrence activities for critical issues.
• Participate in Technical Design Reviews to ensure sign-off against requirements and design rules with disciplined DVP&Rs.
• Prepare and present project/technical milestone status reports.
• Develop and analyze complex dimensional stack-ups.
• Support vehicle CAE, NVH, Dynamics and Safety teams as needed.
• Perform vehicle build signoffs; support vehicle launches and issue resolution.
• Support Ford/supplier plant reviews (APQP, PFMEA, SCCAF, Control Plans).
• Work with Plant Vehicle Team (PVT), Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) and suppliers to track and improve warranty performance.
• Identify and implement cost-saving ideas.
• Domestic and international travel to supplier/Ford manufacturing sites as needed (approx. 1–2 times per year per site).

Skills

Strong teamwork

Written and verbal communication

Problem solving

Supplier management

Education

BS in Mechanical or related engineering

MSME or similar advanced degree

Tools

CATIA

Teamcenter

WERS

FEDE

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...
The Steering Engineer is responsible for the Steering Column, Locks, Shift Lever, Intermediate Shaft, and Dash Boot across the full engineering lifecycle - from requirements and standards development through supplier technical management and design execution. You will join a team that strives to ensure engineering technical excellence with a focus on reliability, Failure Mode Avoidance, quality, technical design reviews, and robust design sign-off.

• 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.
• 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.
• The D&R 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.

What you’ll do...

• Manage steering component suppliers, including technical development and RFQ support.
• Review, release and maintain 2D & 3D CAD models and program-specific Engineering Specifications.
• Support development and maintenance of foundational standards and processes (DFMEA/FUSA, SDS Requirements, Functional Specifications, Design Rules, Interface Drawings, Test Methods, SCAFF/SCCP).
• Review and sign off on supplier test reports and validation data.
• Deliver program timing, cost, weight and quality targets.
• Develop Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) and Reliability documentation.
• Design, develop and package Upper Steering systems and components.
• Support execution of the Upper Steering Commodity Business Plan and new supplier/technology development.
• Resolve design, package, and quality issues; support Prevent Recurrence activities for FSA, Stop Ship, and High-Priority issues.
• Participate in Technical Design Reviews to ensure clean sign-off against requirements and design rules with disciplined DVP&Rs.
• Prepare and present project/technical milestone status reports.
• Develop and analyze complex dimensional stack-ups.
• Support vehicle CAE, NVH, Dynamics and Safety teams as needed.
• Perform vehicle build signoffs; support vehicle launches and issue resolution.
• Support Ford/supplier plant reviews (APQP, PFMEA, SCCAF, Control Plans).
• Work with the Plant Vehicle Team (PVT), Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) and suppliers to track and improve warranty performance.
• Identify and implement cost-saving ideas.
• Domestic and international travel to supplier/Ford manufacturing sites as needed (approximately 1–2 times per year per site).

You'll have BSME, BSEE, or similar engineering degree.
5+ years of automotive engineering experience in Steering Systems (Column, Intermediate Shaft, Dash Boot, Shift Lever, and/or Locks) or related.
1 year of Project leadership experience.
I year of CAD experience.
Even better, you may have MSME, MSEE or similar engineering degree.

Prior experience as a Ford Design & Release Engineer and/or Core/foundation engineering experience.

Prior experience with chassis, steering, or other safety-critical components.

Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA), DFMEA, FUSA.

Systems Engineering exposure (SySML/MBSE, SDS Requirements, Functional Specifications).

Statistical Data Analysis / Minitab.

GD&T and reading prints.

Working knowledge of Ford engineering tools: WERS, FEDE, Teamcenter.

Advanced problem-solving skills (8D, 5 Whys, DOE, Is/Is Not tools).

CAD (CATIA).

Supplier management / RFQ experience.

Good written and oral communication skills.

Strong teamwork; able to work independently.

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.

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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