Tech Strategy Specialist

Jobtailor; Dearborn (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford is seeking a senior technology strategy leader in the United States to translate complex technical initiatives into business cases and strategic roadmaps. You will drive cross-functional collaboration across engineering, product, and regions to define platforms, architectures, and experiences for future vehicle programs.

You will analyze trends, manage the technology portfolio, and partner with senior leaders on investments and milestones while maintaining strong data-driven storytelling

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of cross-functional/project management experience.
• Experience translating technical initiatives into business profitability analyses.
• Experience with ADAS and/or Body Systems.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Develop Ford's global technology strategies.
• Synthesize industry trends, portfolio needs, and corporate objectives into forward-looking strategies.
• Define future customer experiences and the compute platforms, sensing configurations, and software enablers required to deliver them.
• Develop offering strategies for vehicle programs and regions.
• Evaluate complexity-driving requests through cost-benefit analysis and drive decisions to closure.
• Support technology investment portfolio management, funding requests, and spending reduction opportunities.
• Conduct competitive intelligence, benchmarking, and external technology scanning.
• Translate external insights into recommendations on platforms, features, and investments.
• Co-lead technology unit papers and High-Priority Studies.
• Ensure initiatives meet deliverable requirements and business case targets for tuMR and tuPS milestones.
• Maintain technology and business health databases and track technology proliferation, feature take-rates, and platform usage.
• Support the Unified Backlog process by reviewing demand requests and securing commitments for high-value initiatives.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Product Development, Digital Product, Technology Platforms, Integrated Services, Marketing, Finance, vehicle programs, and regional teams.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Data analytics

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

GPDS familiarity

JIRA familiarity

Agile methodology

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

MBA or equivalent work experience

Tools

JIRA

Unified Backlog Process

Technology Health Databases

Benchmarking Tools

Competitive Intelligence Tools

Job description

• Help develop Ford's global technology strategies
• Synthesize industry trends, portfolio needs, and corporate objectives into forward-looking strategies
• Define future customer experiences and the compute platforms, sensing configurations, and software enablers required to deliver them
• Develop offering strategies for vehicle programs and regions
• Evaluate complexity-driving requests through cost-benefit analysis and drive decisions to closure
• Support technology investment portfolio management, funding requests, and spending reduction opportunities
• Conduct competitive intelligence, benchmarking, and external technology scanning
• Translate external insights into recommendations on platforms, features, and investments
• Co-lead technology unit papers and High-Priority Studies
• Ensure initiatives meet deliverable requirements and business case targets for tuMR and tuPS milestones
• Maintain technology and business health databases and track technology proliferation, feature take-rates, and platform usage
• Support the Unified Backlog process by reviewing demand requests and securing commitments for high-value initiatives
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Product Development, Digital Product, Technology Platforms, Integrated Services, Marketing, Finance, vehicle programs, and regional teams

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field
• Experience translating technical initiatives into business and profitability analyses for efficient capital allocation
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to influence and collaborate in diverse, cross-functional environments
• 5+ years of experience leading cross-functional and/or cross-team projects
• 3+ years of project management/product management experience with GPDS familiarity
• MBA or equivalent work experience is a preferred qualification
• Technical background and demonstrated experience in ADAS and/or Body Systems
• Direct experience leading strategic initiatives and technology unit and/or vehicle program milestones
• Ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently and deliver high-quality events
• Strong leadership skills and ability to drive discussions, provide direction, and update senior leaders
• Familiarity with JIRA project management tool
• Familiarity with Agile methodology, backlogs, and product roadmaps
• Experience with in-vehicle electrical architectures, roadmaps, constraints, and complexity
• Experience with data analytics and storytelling with data
• Legally authorized to work in the United States

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing technology strategies and translating technical initiatives into business analyses, with a strong focus on project management and cross-functional collaboration. Proficient in managing technology investment portfolios and leading strategic initiatives within automotive contexts.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Technology Strategy Development
• Project Management Experience
• ADAS and Body Systems Expertise
• Data Analytics and Storytelling
• Cross-Functional Leadership

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Project Management
• Data Analytics
• Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Technology Portfolio Management
• Technical Initiative Translation
• Vehicle Program Milestones
• Electrical Architectures
• Agile Methodology
• GPDS Familiarity
• Feature Take-Rates

Soft Skills

• Strong Communication Skills
• Influencing Skills
• Collaboration Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Ability to Manage Priorities

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
• MBA or Equivalent Work Experience

Industry Keywords

• Automotive Technology
• ADAS
• Body Systems
• Cross-Functional Teams
• Technology Proliferation

Tools & Technologies

• JIRA
• Unified Backlog Process
• Technology Health Databases
• Benchmarking Tools
• Competitive Intelligence Tools