Research and Advanced Electrified Propulsion Systems Engineer

Ford-Motor-Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI is seeking a Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer to develop and integrate next‑generation electrified powertrain systems. You will bridge high-level architecture with hands-on prototype execution, leading subsystems like energy storage, drive units, power electronics, and thermal systems into advanced prototype vehicles.

The role emphasizes first-principles design, system sizing, cross-functional collaboration, and hands‑on testing, with a hybrid onsite work model

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or related field.
• 2 years prior experience with electrified systems (powertrain subsystems).
• Ability to design clean-sheet advanced propulsion using first principles approach.
• Demonstrated experience working with cross functional teams and driving development issues to resolution.
• Hands-on experience conducting bench and vehicle-level tests.

Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering for advanced propulsion designs, including sizing, high‑voltage architectures, thermal limits, and packaging effects on vehicle attributes.
• Size, select, and define subsystem architectures for propulsion systems based on competing priorities (power, energy, mass, thermal, cost).
• Prototype integration, wiring interfacing, and commissioning of propulsion subsystems into prototype vehicles, breadboards, and dyno test beds.
• Lead cross-functional projects across e-motor, power electronics, energy storage, driveline, HV distribution, thermal management, controls, calibration, and simulation to develop requirements and verification plans.
• Prepare and present technical project reviews to senior management and technical leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Hands-on testing

Powertrain systems

First principles design

Education

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

B.S. Aerospace Engineering

B.S. Physics

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.

In this position...

Develop and integrate innovative, next-generation electrified powertrain systems and technologies for future products, with an emphasis on groundbreaking electrified vehicles. Our Research and Advanced Engineering (R&A) organization is growing and is in search of outstanding, first-principles-driven individuals to help shape the direction of our next-generation electrified propulsion systems.

As part of a fast-paced team that designs new electrified powertrains from scratch (including pioneering platforms like the first electric F-150 and other highly confidential advanced vehicle programs), successful applicants will bridge the gap between high-level systems architecture and hands‑on prototype execution. You will lead the physical, functional, and controls integration of advanced subsystems (including energy storage, drive units, power electronics, and thermal systems) and develop systems-level tradeoffs to optimize vehicle-level attributes.

This role is ideal for engineers who love 'clean-sheet' development and want a highly hands‑on role in developing new prototype vehicles where the answer isn’t always known.

What you'll do...

Clean-Sheet System Architecture: Provide systems engineering expertise for advanced propulsion designs, including understanding how subsystem sizing, high‑voltage architectures, thermal limits, and packaging affect vehicle-level attributes (such as performance, range, efficiency, and charging behavior).

Subsystem Sizing & Selection: Work with component, simulation, and vehicle program teams to size, select, and define subsystem architectures for advanced propulsion systems based on multiple competing priorities (e.g., power, energy, mass, thermal capacity, cost).

Prototype Integration & Commissioning: Support the integration, wiring/control interfacing, and initial commissioning of advanced propulsion subsystems (energy storage, drive units, thermal management, power electronics, and controls) into advanced prototype vehicles, breadboards, and dyno test beds.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead cross-functional projects (including e‑motor, power electronics, energy storage, driveline, high‑voltage distribution, thermal management, controls, calibration, and simulation) to develop requirements, attribute assessments, robustness assessments, and design verification plans.

Trade-off Analysis: Work with vehicle simulation, thermal, and component teams to assess propulsion system design tradeoffs between thermal, packaging, NVH, and hardware/software solutions.

Hands‑on Testing & Troubleshooting: Perform hands‑on troubleshooting and diagnostics on prototype vehicles and benches when things don't work as planned.

Data-Driven Design: Collect and analyze propulsion system and vehicle test data (from lab benches, dynos, and on-road testing) to optimize and validate the holistic propulsion system design.

Systems Engineering Rigor: Apply systems engineering and problem-solving tools and methods (Boundary Diagrams, P‑Diagrams, DFMEAs) for system and technology concept development, cascading requirements, and project scoping.

Technical Reviews: Prepare and present concise technical project reviews to senior management and technical leadership.

You’ll have...

B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or related field

2 years prior experience with electrified systems, including the sizing, packaging, testing, and integration of powertrain subsystems (e.g., energy storage, drive units, power electronics, or thermal systems; can include college-level work like Formula SAE)

Ability and interest to design clean‑sheet advanced propulsion systems using first principles approach to component selection and design

Demonstrated experience working with cross functional teams and driving development issues to resolution

Hands‑on experience in conducting bench and vehicle-level tests

Passion for and understanding of all electrified powertrain systems (battery, motor, thermal)

Work includes office work, testing in labs and in vehicle locally and at Ford Providing Grounds.

Even better, you may have...

Motivated to learn and contribute quickly

Excellent written & verbal communication skills

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Power Point, Project)

Willingness and ability to travel to remote Vehicle Proving Ground sites

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 6 and ranges from $74,300-$124,500.

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 with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.