Supervisor-Seat Performance

Ford - Lincoln Veteran Careers Program; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Immediate medical, dental, vision, and

Parental leave and childcare support

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Employee resource groups

Paid time off for service and holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company invites applications for a leadership role in Seat Engineering. The Core Seat Performance Supervisor leads a team focused on core seat comfort, foam, trim, and innovation engineering.

You will translate customer insights into action across Ergonomics, biomechanics, and technology integration, guiding design from research through production. The position requires 5+ years in automotive seat engineering and CAD experience, with strong communication and global collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering with 5+ years in automotive seat engineering focusing on comfort, foam, trim or ergonomics.
• 1+ year CAD experience is required; master's degree is a plus for deeper biomechanics knowledge.
• Strong communication and collaboration across global teams are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team responsible for core seat comfort, foam, trim & innovation engineering.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for existing methods, requirements, and products.
• Provide essential leadership and support for program delivery, ensuring comfort, foam, and trim targets are met.
• Bridge the gap between human anatomy (ergonomics) and mechanical design.
• Collaborate on projects and knowledge sharing with internal and external teams.
• Lead root cause analysis of current production and in-flight program issues.
• Establish benchmarking plans to support program development and perceived quality.
• Mentor and coach team members, fostering technical growth and engagement.

Skills

Ergonomics

Biomechanics

Seat Engineering

CATIA CAD

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

CATIA

FEA

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...

The Core Seat Performance Supervisor is a specialized engineering leader who will be a pivotal force in driving the design and delivery of world-class seat experiences across our entire vehicle lineup. This critical role shapes the future of seating at Ford — spanning core seat comfort, foam, trim and innovation engineering — from foundational research through production implementation, translating customer insights into impactful product actions and core engineering strategies.

You will lead and develop a team of engineers responsible for core seat comfort, foam, trim and innovation engineering across the vehicle lineup. This role blends technical depth with people leadership — guiding your team's work in areas such as:

• Ergonomics & Biomechanics: Analyzing how the human body interacts with the seat system to minimize muscle tension and improve posture across use cases.
• Static & Dynamic Comfort: Overseeing objective seat testing methods and data analysis to drive design recommendations (static), including pressure distribution and clinic results to support error-state avoidance; and managing vibration transmission and resonance to ensure a smooth ride while the vehicle is in motion (dynamic).
• Foam Engineering: Guiding foam material selection, molding, and performance development to balance comfort, durability, and manufacturability.
• Trim Engineering: Directing trim design, materials, and construction to deliver quality, comfort, and perceived quality targets.
• Seat Features & Functionality: Providing technical guidance across thermal management, pneumatic systems, lumbar support systems, seat adjustments (power & manual), head restraints, armrests, structures, foam, and trim to ensure the seat system meets or exceeds customer expectations.
• Technology & Innovation Integration: Drive the identification, evaluation, and incorporation of new and emerging technologies in seat design, materials, and comfort features (e.g., advanced foams, smart textiles, adaptive support systems, integrated sensors).

What you'll do...

• Lead and develop a team responsible for core seat comfort, foam, trim & innovation engineering.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for existing methods, requirements, and products.
• Provide essential leadership and support for program delivery, ensuring comfort, foam, and trim targets are met.
• Bridge the gap between human anatomy (ergonomics) and mechanical design.
• Collaborate on projects and knowledge sharing with internal and external teams around common interests.
• Lead root cause analysis of current production and in-flight program issues.
• Establish benchmarking plans to support program development, core growth, and perceived quality.
• Mentor and coach team members, fostering technical growth and engagement.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Biomechanics, Ergonomics, Mechanical, Materials, or related field). 5+ years of experience in automotive seat engineering or a closely related field, with a focus on comfort, foam, trim, ergonomics, or human factors. 1+ year of CAD experience.

Even better, you may have a Master's degree in Engineering (Biomechanics, Ergonomics, Mechanical, Materials, or related field). Strong understanding of seat components and systems (e.g., foams, trim, structures, mechanisms, MCS, heat/vent). Experience with objective and subjective comfort assessment methodologies and tools. Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA) and CAE tools (e.g., FEA) related to seat design and analysis. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Experience with global product development and working with international teams. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven mindset. Direct people-management or supervisory experience in an engineering environment.

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, we encourage you to apply!

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 childcare 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

This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500-$218,100.

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, https://fordcareers.co/LL6.

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.

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