Product Development Engineer – Steering

Jobtailor; Dearborn (MI, MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Automotive Steering Engineer to lead supplier interactions, CAD development, and design validation for upper steering systems. You will drive DFMEA/FUSA, SDS requirements, and design rules while coordinating cross‑functional teams to meet timing, cost, weight, and quality targets.

The role requires strong CAD skills (CATIA), systems engineering exposure, and proven project leadership in an automotive setting.

Qualifications

• BSME, BSEE, or similar engineering degree.
• 5+ years of automotive engineering experience in Steering Systems or related.
• 1 year of Project leadership experience.
• 1 year of CAD experience.
• MSME, MSEE or similar engineering degree (preferred).
• Prior Ford Design & Release Engineer or core/foundation engineering experience (preferred).
• FMEA, DFMEA, FUSA experience.
• Systems Engineering exposure (MBSE, SDS Requirements, Functional Specifications).
• GD&T and reading prints.

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, Design Rules).
• Review and sign off on supplier test reports and validation data.
• Deliver program timing, cost, weight and quality targets.
• Develop Failure Mode Avoidance and Reliability documentation.
• Design, develop and package Upper Steering systems and components.
• Resolve design, package, and quality issues; support Prevent Recurrence activities for FSA, Stop Ship, and High-Priority issues.
• Participate in Technical Design Reviews and ensure DVP&R sign-off.

Skills

CATIA CAD

FMEA

Supplier management

Statistical analysis

GD&T

MBSE

WERS/Teamcenter

Dimensional analysis

Education

BSME

BSEE

MSME

MSEE

Tools

CATIA

Teamcenter

WERS

FEDE

Job description

• 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, including 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 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 and ensure disciplined DVP&R sign-off against requirements and design rules
• Prepare and present project/technical milestone status reports
• Develop and analyze complex dimensional stack-ups
• Support vehicle CAE, NVH, Dynamics and Safety teams
• Perform vehicle build signoffs; support vehicle launches and issue resolution
• Support Ford/supplier plant reviews, including APQP, PFMEA, SCCAF, and Control Plans
• Work with the Plant Vehicle Team, Supplier Technical Assistance, and suppliers to track and improve warranty performance
• Identify and implement cost-saving ideas
• Travel domestically and internationally to supplier/Ford manufacturing sites as needed, approximately 1-2 times per year per site
• Manage product release CAD and BOM structures, assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis
• Facilitate supplier data integration and develop CAD studies to support design improvements
• Utilize product check-in/check-out, version control, data release, and change management within Ford's PLM ecosystem
• Perform CAD feasibility analyses, including draft angle analysis, undercut detection, minimum bend radius validation for sheet metal, and clearance checks

Requirements

• BSME, BSEE, or similar engineering degree
• 5+ years of automotive engineering experience in Steering Systems or related
• 1 year of Project leadership experience
• 1 year of CAD experience
• MSME, MSEE or similar engineering degree (preferred)
• 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
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Visa sponsorship is not available

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing steering component suppliers and technical development, with a strong focus on CAD modeling, engineering specifications, and failure mode avoidance. Proficient in utilizing engineering tools and methodologies to ensure quality, cost, and performance targets are met in automotive engineering projects.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Automotive Engineering Experience
• CAD (CATIA)
• Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA)
• Supplier Management / RFQ Experience
• Statistical Data Analysis / Minitab

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• 2D & 3D CAD Modeling
• DFMEA
• FUSA
• GD&T
• Statistical Data Analysis
• Advanced Problem-Solving Skills
• Design Rules
• Dimensional Stack-Ups
• Vehicle Build Signoffs
• SDS Requirements

Soft Skills

• Good Written and Oral Communication Skills
• Strong Teamwork
• Ability to Work Independently

Certifications & Qualifications

• BSME
• BSEE
• MSME
• MSEE

Industry Keywords

• Steering Systems
• Chassis
• Safety-Critical Components
• Technical Design Reviews
• APQP
• PFMEA
• SCAFF
• Control Plans

Tools & Technologies

• Ford Engineering Tools (WERS, FEDE, Teamcenter)
• PLM Ecosystem
• Version Control
• Change Management