Prototype Build Engineer

Optimal; Allen Park (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Program Engineer to drive the successful launch of new vehicle and powertrain models in North America manufacturing plants. You will manage programs, oversee budgets, and coordinate across cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery and adherence to schedules.

The role requires strong program management skills, experience with launch processes, and the ability to travel as needed to meet objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is a minimum.
• 4+ years of experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project.
• 2+ years of experience with problem solving disciplines using statistical mindsets.
• 1+ years of experience in Powertrain/Vehicle Operations manufacturing, design, and/or program management, with Project management or launch experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive launch excellence for new vehicle and powertrain models across Ford's North America Manufacturing Plants.
• Manage launch processes, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and communicate status and risks.
• Serve as a gatekeeper for New Model Programs, ensuring adherence to processes and standards.
• Oversee pre-production build activities to meet objectives for quality and efficiency and manage the Pre-Production Drive Fleet Evaluation Plan.
• Manage approval of Product Development changes and ensure integration ahead of prototypes.
• Lead build issues management, drive resolution, and ensure timely closure of problems impacting launch.
• Co-chair launch meetings and proactively resolve part support issues for pre-production builds.
• Manage launch budget approvals and execute elements controlled by New Model Programs.
• Prepare and present weekly assessment reports, highlighting risks and status to senior management.
• Support team integration of launch teams into manufacturing plants.

Skills

Program Management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Summary

The New Model Program Engineer plays a critical role in the successful launch of new vehicle and powertrain models within North America manufacturing plants. This position is responsible for the overall program management and delivery of new vehicle programs, ensuring successful execution across various phases including issue resolution, quality and status assessments, vehicle fleet management, and adherence to established budgets and timing.

Job Responsibilities

• This individual contributor role is essential for driving launch excellence for new vehicle and powertrain models across Ford's North America Manufacturing Plants.
• The Engineer will contribute to success by actively managing and executing critical launch processes, collaborating with diverse skill teams, and ensuring timely communication on launch status and risks.
• Program Governance: Serve as a key gatekeeper for New Model Programs, ensuring adherence to established processes and standards throughout the launch lifecycle.
• Pre-Production Build Management: Manage and oversee all activities related to pre-production build events, ensuring they meet program objectives for quality and efficiency. Vehicle Fleet Management: Manage the ordering, building, testing, and ultimate disposition of pre-production vehicles. This includes the execution of the Pre-Production Drive Fleet Evaluation Plan.
• Design Change Oversight: Manage the approval process for Product Development changes, ensuring these are integrated and proven out ahead of prototype builds.
• Issue Resolution Leadership: Lead the build issues management process for the cross-functional program team, driving issues to resolution and ensuring timely closure of problems that could impact launch.
• Meeting Coordination & Issue Driving: Co-chair relevant launch meetings and proactively drive resolution of part support issues for each pre-production build event.
• Budget Execution: Manage launch budget approval processes and execute elements specifically controlled by New Model Programs within the overall launch budget.
• Reporting & Assessment: Prepare and present comprehensive New Model Program weekly assessment reports, providing clear status updates and highlighting potential risks.
• Senior Management Communication: Champion senior management presentations, effectively communicating program status, challenges, and proposed solutions.
• Team Integration Support: Facilitate the smooth transition and integration of launch teams into the manufacturing plants.

Ability to travel is a must.

Skills Required

Program Management - expectation is to maintain a list of issues and work with a cross functional team to resolve them.

Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree is a minimum.
• 4+ years of experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project.
• 2+ years of experience with problem solving disciplines using statistical mindsets
• 1+ years of experience in Powertrain/Vehicle Operations manufacturing, design, and/or program management, with Project management or launch experience.

Experience Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• Program management experience.
• Manufacturing experience.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and highly organized.
• Experience demonstrating a strong understanding of the processes and methodologies involved in bringing new vehicle models from development into full-scale production.
• Experience with Engineering Change Management and Issue Management

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree