Senior Manager, Design for Service

Ford; Allen Park (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) Design for Service leads the program management and serviceability strategy, interfacing with Product Development to improve diagnostics, data readiness, and service information across global regions.

You will guide the CAD/DPA teams, set serviceability requirements, and ensure alignment with development systems and best practices, while fostering collaboration, coaching, and organizational growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in engineering or technical field is required.
• Strong technical understanding of mechanical systems and components.
• Experience with vehicle electrical, software, and systems architectures and diagnostics.
• Experience leading a larger team (10+).

Responsibilities

• Lead Program Management, Commodity Program Management, Process and Serviceability teams as primary FCSD interface to Product Development.
• Define service strategies, drive DFS process alignment with GPDS, and ensure diagnostics readiness for launches.
• Track launch deliverables, tools, service information, and workshop/owner manuals.
• Collaborate across global regions to align serviceability requirements and data readiness.
• Influence cross-functional partners to deliver measurable outcomes and continuous improvements.
• Lead organizational change and develop team capabilities through coaching and feedback.

Skills

Technical leadership

Systems engineering

Diagnostics & data

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Influence & coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical field

Tools

GPDS familiarity

Job description

In this position...

Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) Design for Service (DFS) drives physical serviceability and diagnostic capability into Ford's vehicle architecture, software and packaging. We establish the functional physical and digital baselines that service operations depend on. You will lead the Program Management, Commodity Program Management, Process, and Serviceability (CAD/DPA) teams – the primary FCSD interface to Product Development (PD).

What you'll do...

Shift Service Influence Upstream

• Work with Advanced Engineering, Features, and Flexible Vehicle Architecture as the Voice of the Customer, Dealer and Technician
• Engage at the advanced engineering and platform architecture phases to optimize serviceability before physical dimensions are locked
• Introduce and maintain serviceability requirements, and ensure each is met or has an approved deviation
• Deliver warranty cost objectives through serviceability improvements
  Lead Design for Diagnostics
• Expand the team's expertise from physical repair metrics into electrical, software and systems architecture
• Define diagnostic data requirements upfront with PD software engineers and suppliers
• Partner with PD and enterprise teams on diagnostic tooling, service features, and data readiness

Program Launch Support

• Track launch deliverable: tools, diagnostics readiness, service information and workshop manual, owner's manual, major service issues, and service parts release
• Support service parts availability for launch and develop launch plans for major programs
• Deliver Common, Efficient Global Processes
• Define service strategies for new technologies; support dealer service strategy
• Drive DFS process alignment with the PD development system (GPDS) and best practices, with global commonality

Culture/Our Truths

• Role model the Ford behaviors & develop team to achieve success in Excellence, Focus and Collaboration
• Promote work-life balance tools
• Utilize empowerment, coaching & counseling w/actional feedback, team building and process improvements to create a work atmosphere that develops employees to their fullest potential
• Demonstrate global leadership ensuring roles and responsibilities are defined/agreed and Global Design for Service processes are followed

You'll have...

• Bachelor's degree (engineering or technical field preferred)
• Proven ability to apply strong technical understanding of mechanical systems and components, including assembly and disassembly
• Demonstrate working knowledge of vehicle electrical, software, and systems architectures, as well as diagnostics, including network topology, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and diagnostic data.
• Familiarity with Dealer Operations
• Lead through influence, building alignment and driving collaboration across functions and throughout the enterprise.
• Use customer insights, operational data, and other evidence to shape strategic decisions, establish priorities, and secure stakeholder commitments
• Translate organizational objectives into clear direction, actionable plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Independently assess emerging needs, anticipate challenges, and identify opportunities to advance business priorities.
• Lead organizational change while strengthening team capabilities and supporting the development of colleagues.
• Communicate complex technical and business topics clearly and effectively to audiences at all levels, including senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Build trust and credibility through strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and a consistently professional approach.
• Foster an environment where skilled, motivated people collaborate, contribute their expertise, and achieve shared results.
• Collaborate effectively with teams and stakeholders across global regions, including Europe, South America, China, and other international markets.

Even better, you may have...

• Master's Degree
• Familiarity and experience with Dealer Operations strongly preferred (specifically tied to Fixed Operations)
• Knowledge of Product Development processes and vehicle development production system preferred (knowledge of competitive OEMs processes are welcome)
• Experience in leading a larger team (10+)

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
• 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
• Generous vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day

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.

Internal applicants: moving into this role may result in an adjustment to your current compensation based on the posted pay range for this role, taking into consideration your qualifications and other relevant factors.

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.