Product Development Engineer – Wiper/Washer (Subject Matter Expert)

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount program

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Senior Engineer for Global Body Exterior Ornamentation, focusing on wiper/washer systems. You will lead design and verification across programs, mentor teams, and drive standardization of tools and processes globally.

You will oversee DFMEA/SCCAF development, guide cross‑functional stakeholders, and ensure robust quality assurance of products in the field. This role is hybrid in the United States.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in Body Exterior Design and Release engineering or similar.
• Experience with exterior wiper/washer systems and related components.
• Strong knowledge of DC motors functionality and durability attributes.
• Experience across full program phases from Pre-Program to Launch.

Responsibilities

• Sign off exterior wiper/washer requirements across programs at key milestones.
• Provide technical support to global teams and act as SME for exterior systems.
• Develop and verify applications for new exterior systems designs.
• Lead root cause analysis and guide preventive measures.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Mentoring

Self-starter

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

CAe

TCE

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...

A role for Wiper and Washer Systems within Global Body Exterior Ornamentation team responsible for technical content, strategy & processes. In this role, you will serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all exterior Wiper related matters ensuring robust design & delivery of components & vehicle systems.

This position will lead all technical aspects of global product strategy, including product concept development, product development, verification & validation, launch/sign-off & ongoing support & quality assurance of products in the field. In addition, the Exterior Wiper & Washer Subject Matter Expert will oversee foundation document creation & enforcement of prevent recurrence, helping development of standardized tools, methods & execution.

• The Global exterior Wiper and Washer systems SME is a recognized & accomplished expert who can interface with all levels of management & outside activities on exterior ornamentation systems related matters.
• Assist Global Managers, Technical Leaders and chief engineers in the identification, resolution & presentation of department technical strategies, objectives, mission & values.
• Act as technical architect/specialist for exterior wiper and washer systems on a global scale.

What You'll Do...

• Globally responsible for signoffs of exterior wiper and washer HIR requirements for all application programs at key milestones.
• Act as technical resource internally & externally on component & vehicle systems. Provide technical support to global teams.
• Recommend, develop & verify applications for new & advanced exterior wiper and washer systems designs.
• Analyze designs during the development process & address any potential failures & error states.
• Lead design of new concepts to improve system performance & provide leadership & support for timely implementation.
• Monitor & investigate new system technologies to maintain company position as industry leader in this field.
• Mentor & provide consulting to department engineer & other interfacing functions.
• Support Campaign Prevent for exterior wiper and washer systems and related systems.
• Support CCRG for exterior wiper and washer systems activities as needed.
• Provide technical advice to ASO and OGC as required.
• Guide development of module system tools, methods & processes.
• Lead development & ongoing maintenance/update of commodity specific standards, specifications & verification methods.
• Lead development & deployment of all commodity foundation documents including DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DVP&R & integration manuals.
• Guide or lead root cause analysis of warranty, plant or supplier wiper/washer issues.
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA).
• Lead & drive prevent recurrence process.
• Ability to share & present work to cross‑functional teams and senior leadership.

Minimum Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related physical science field of study
• 10+ years as a Body Exterior Design and Release Engineer or similar experience
• 6+ years’ experience with job responsibilities specific to exterior automotive engineering with focus in systems like exterior wiper and washer systems, hoses, nozzles, motors and/or exterior automotive engineering.
• Understanding on DC motors functionality and performance.
• Demonstrated expert level knowledge in body exterior wiper and washer attributes, including material properties, design attributes for durability / NVH, corrosion mitigation, control plan management, tooling and testing methods.
• Experience in all program phases from Pre‑Program through Launch including one major (scale 4-6).
• Working knowledge of applicable Design, Analysis, Verification, Quality, Manufacturing, and Assembly methods.
• Demonstrated improvements in customer satisfaction, reduction in warranty, total cost reduction.
• Working knowledge and experience with Engineering toolset – CAE / CATIA, TCE
• Excellent written / verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated track record of strong leadership behaviors.
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Demonstrated capability to teach / coach / mentor and document technical knowledge.
• Self-starter - ability to work effectively with little oversight.

Even better, if you have ...

Preferred

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related physical science field of study.
• Patents / Invention, Defensive Disclosures / Trade Secrets and/or Technical Publications.
• Experience with Advanced Technology development of Exterior components related to wipers and washers.
• Experience with GPDS and GTDS processes, timing and delivery requirements.
• Experience writing DFMEA’s, SCCAF’s, Engineering Specifications, Requirements, Design Rules or equivalent Core documents.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with all stakeholders including program teams, purchasing, manufacturing, STA & suppliers.
• An aptitude for developing processes.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis and dimensional variance.
• CATIA V5 capable.
• Extensive experience & strong TMM working on safety critical systems & components.

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.

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 8 and ranges from $99,100-$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.