Product Development Mechanical Joining SME

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Flexible family care days

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Core Mechanical Joining Engineer focused on body structure and sheetmetal joining. You will author standards, drive designs, and collaborate across Product Development to implement Joining technologies like FDS, SPR, and FEW across programs.

The role demands 5+ years in joining tech, CAD/PLM fluency (CATIA/Teamcenter), and strong problem-solving. This is a hybrid position with salary and benefits aligned to market value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related physical science field.
• 5+ years of experience with mechanical joining technologies.
• 5+ years of experience using CAD and PLM tools, including CATIA and Teamcenter.

Responsibilities

• Author and maintain Design Rules and Engineering Specifications, updating them as required.
• Partner with Product Development Structures and Closures teams to develop feasible joint solutions for each program.
• Coordinate joint feasibility testing with Manufacturing, suppliers, and external test laboratories.
• Review and approve joint feasibility test results.
• Serve as the primary SME for mechanical joining within Product Development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to develop and implement new mechanical joining processes at Ford.
• Lead or contribute to resolving production issues with Vehicle Operations, Materials, STA and Purchasing.

Skills

Mechanical joining technologies

CAD/PLM tools usage

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/Mechanical/Chemical Eng or related field

Tools

CATIA

Teamcenter

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

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 Core Vehicle Structural Systems organization (Body Structures, Frames, and Battery Tray Sheetmetal) at Ford Motor Company is seeking a Core Mechanical Joining Engineer specializing in body structure and sheetmetal mechanical joining. As a Core Mechanical Joining Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will author and maintain joining standards and quality documents (including DFMEAs and Control Plans), engineering specifications, and requirements such as Design Rules for use by the Program Application teams. You will also develop new joining technologies in support of the Structural Systems team.

Mechanical joining technologies include, but are not limited to, Flow Drill Screws (FDS), clinching, Self-Piercing Rivets (SPR), and Friction Element Welding (FEW). The role also includes leading work in, and partnering with, our Mechanical Joining Lab to assess joint feasibility for future programs, new joint stack-ups (gauge, grade, and material), cost improvement actions, and ongoing production issues.

What You'll Do

• Author and maintain Design Rules and Engineering Specifications, updating them as required.
• Partner with Product Development Structures and Closures teams to develop feasible joint solutions for each program.
• Coordinate joint feasibility testing with Manufacturing, suppliers, and external test laboratories.
• Review and approve joint feasibility test results.
• Serve as the primary SME for mechanical joining within Product Development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners in Research, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and the supply base to develop and implement new mechanical joining processes at Ford.
• Lead or contribute to resolving production issues with Vehicle Operations (VO), Materials, Supplier Technical Assistance (STA), and Purchasing, including stop-ships, Field Service Actions, warranty concerns, and material shortages.
• Incorporate lessons learned into quality documents.

You'll have

Minimum

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related physical science field.
• 5+ years of experience working with mechanical joining technologies.
• 5+ years of experience using CAD and PLM tools, including CATIA and Teamcenter.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work effectively with minimal oversight.
• Collaborative team player with experience delivering assignments within cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on engineering approach.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Experience launching adhesives and sealers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

Even better, if you have ...

Preferred

• Master's degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related physical science field.
• 5+ years of experience writing DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Engineering Specifications, and Design Rules.
• 10+ years of experience as a Joining Engineer or in a similar role.
• Experience supporting multiple automotive vehicle launches.

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 -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, click here: 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.

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