Systems Engineering Team (SET) Lead

Ford; Dearborn, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount program

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI is seeking a leadership-level Systems Engineering Manager to own the SET zone design across liftgate and exterior systems, guiding cross-functional teams to deliver program milestones. You will build strong supplier relationships, run data-driven trade-offs, and align cost, weight, and quality goals with Program Chief Engineering and Vehicle Engineering.

This hybrid role requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, 4+ onsite days, fluent English, and readiness

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• 5+ years of experience with liftgate / tailgates, rear end exterior / interior trim, hardware/locks/mechanisms, rear lighting, rear fascias / bumpers.
• Design & Release Engineering, Systems Engineering or Vehicle Engineering experience is preferred.
• Capability to pull down CAD in CATIA v.5 or 3DX and create sections / take measurements.
• Must have the knowledge of Systems Engineering Fundamental and Design Thinking
• Demonstrates critical thinking, courage, humility, decisiveness, flexibility, knowledge, vision, communications.
• Ability to work in dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (open, clear, and inclusive)
• Excellent leadership skills with demonstrated ability to deliver results.
• Demonstrated organizational & delegation skills with proper follow-up.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload managing immediate and future needs.
• Ability to build strong effective relationships with cross functional teams (Program, Studio, Purchasing, Finance, Engineering).
• Strong technical capability and problem-solving skills.
• Fluent in English Speaking and Writing.
• Onsite collaboration required for at least 4-days per week.
• Willingness to travel on limited basis for assembly plant line walks, supplier site visits, and benchmarking exercises.

Responsibilities

• Manage SET zone to identify cost/weight efficiencies and quality improvements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Tier 1 suppliers.
• Champion trade-off discussions using data with Program Chief Engineering.
• Lead SET zone target setting through benchmarking.
• Collaborate on packaging, weight, cost, labor, timing, and integration.
• Lead Systems Technical Design and Compatibility Reviews to meet milestones.
• Drive SET Adherence to Systems Engineering Operating Principles.
• Drive cross-functional issue resolution and escalation support.
• Collaborate with SET members and partners for System Level Engineering Sign-Off.

Skills

Systems Engineering

CATIA CAD

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

English fluent

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree in Systems Engineering

Tools

CATIA v5

CATIA 3DX

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 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!

What you'll do...

• The SET zone for this role consists of the following sub-systems of the vehicle:

• Pick-up trucks – box structure, tailgate system, hardware/locks/mechanisms, box top moldings, exterior trim, exterior lighting, electrical distribution system

• SUV’s – liftgate system, backlite, rear wiper / washer system, exterior trim, rear exterior lighting, hardware/locks/mechanisms, dynamic sealing, interior liftgate trim, electrical distribution system, rear fascias

• Manage SET zone, through Systems Design methodology, to identify and deliver cost / weight efficiencies, component part reductions, quality improvement, labor savings, and service efficiency.

• Develop and maintain relationships with Tier 1 suppliers and understand their technical capabilities.

• Champion trade-off discussions using data to balance targets for assigned SET zone and co-lead content and attribute proposals with Program Chief Engineering and Vehicle Engineering.

• Lead SET zone target setting, through extensive benchmarking and leverage Core Engineering team opportunities / technology.

• Collaborate with team members and external partners on packaging, weight, cost, labor, timing, and integration from a systems perspective according to assigned vehicle zone and content.

• Lead Systems Technical Design and Compatibility Reviews to optimize designs, resolve issues, and deliver all Program Milestones on-time / on-target. Often leading review with Ford leadership.

• Drive SET Adherence to Systems Engineering Operating Principles.

• Drive cross-functional issue resolution (including program, finance, quality, attribute, manufacturing, STA, studio, suppliers, etc.). Support escalation when needed.

• Collaborate with SET members and external partners for System Level Engineering Sign-Off and handover to Hardware Integration and Application Engineering teams.

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 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.

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.

You'll have...

Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.

5+ years of experience with one or more of the following systems: liftgate / tailgates, rear end exterior / interior trim, hardware/locks/mechanisms, rear lighting, rear fascias / bumpers

Design & Release Engineering, Systems Engineering or Vehicle Engineering experience is preferred.

Capability to pull down CAD in CATIA v.5 or 3DX and create sections / take measurements.

Must have the knowledge of Systems Engineering Fundamental and Design Thinking

Demonstrates critical thinking, courage, humility, decisiveness, flexibility, knowledge, vision, communications.

Ability to work in dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Demonstrated ability to show initiative.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills (open, clear, and inclusive)

Excellent leadership skills with demonstrated ability to deliver results.

Demonstrated organizational & delegation skills with proper follow-up.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently.

Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload managing immediate and future needs.

Ability to build strong effective relationships with cross functional teams (Program, Studio, Purchasing, Finance, Engineering).

Strong technical capability and problem-solving skills.

Fluent in English Speaking and Writing.

Onsite collaboration required for at least 4-days per week.

Willingness to travel on limited basis for assembly plant line walks, supplier site visits, and benchmarking exercises.

Even better, you may have...

Master’s in Systems Engineering or Engineering preferred.

10+ years’ experience in product engineering design environment.

Demonstrated Production Launch experience.

Demonstrated experience with program management.

Strong fundamentals and working knowledge of the Cost Process and Functional Led Cost/Appearance Delivery Process.

Effective coaching skills.

Strong fundamentals and working knowledge of Global Product Development Systems processes.

Strong understanding of Teamcenter, Bill of Materials management.

CAD authoring capability in CATIA v.5 or 3DX.