Technical Expert-Analytical Methods & Processes, CAE Underbody Systems

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford Motor Company seeks a Senior CAE Technical Expert to lead method development and correlation for Underbody Systems. You will guide global CAE teams, align analytical practices with design goals, and drive standardized tools and processes across regions.

Requirements include a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering or related field, 10 years in automotive CAE (durability, NVH, MBD, CFD), and strong program management, communication, and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• 10 years of professional experience in automotive CAE (durability, NVH, MBD, or CFD).
• PM certification (PMP) is highly preferred.
• Strong communication and ability to lead global, cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Analytical durability methods development across chassis, transmission, and driveline CAE.
• Lead test/CAE correlation with global teams and laboratories to align analytical methods.
• Develop analytical methods to support requirements and analytical signoff.
• Establish and govern global engineering practices and standardized toolsets.
• Identify AI/ML opportunities and mentor teams in applying these technologies.
• Coordinate global resource integration with US, Europe, and Mexico teams.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Technical depth

Global delivery

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Automotive Systems Engineering

Tools

Abaqus

Nastran

Ansys

Adams

Star-CCM+

CAD/PLM environments

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... CAE Technical expert to lead method development, correlation and analytical process standardization initiatives in Underbody Systems CAE Department. What you'll do...

• Analytical durability methods development: Identify common aspects and distinctions between chassis, transmission and driveline durability CAE methods. Create best practices on modeling and analysis leveraging best aspects.
• Test/CAE Correlation: Collaborate closely with US, European, and Mexican suspension and steering durability CAE teams and technical experts to develop, align, and deliver highly correlated analytical methods. Work hand-in-hand with physical test laboratories, CAE specialists, and core design engineers to ensure test boundary conditions are perfectly defined, understood, and replicated in the virtual environment.
• Analytical methods towards requirements: Identify opportunities to create new analytical methods to evaluate requirements with a view to analytical signoff. Work closely with core and CAE technical experts on creating these methods and deploying them.
• Global Process Standardization: Establish, implement, and govern common global engineering practices and standardized toolsets to track and deliver program milestones, quality metrics, warranty reduction initiatives, method development, and correlation workstreams across all Underbody Systems Engineering CAE teams.
• AI/ML applications to CAE: Identify opportunities for application of advanced technology to analytical methods. Coach and mentor global teams on using these technologies to Enhance robustness and delivery.
• Global Resource Integration (LCC): Strategically leverage Best Cost / Low-Cost Country (LCC) engineering teams to deliver cost-effective, high-quality, and highly efficient simulation solutions. Ensure these global teams have the required analytical technical maturity and are seamlessly integrated with US, Europe, and Mexico based CAE and Design & Release (D&R) engineering organizations.

You'll have... Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Systems Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. 10 years of professional experience in automotive CAE (including structural durability, NVH, MBD, or CFD). Even better, you may have... Project Management: Proven expertise in project management methodologies, with a track record of leading complex, multi-disciplinary analytical simulation projects from concept to delivery. Communication: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to collaborate across global, multi-cultural engineering teams and present complex technical data to senior leadership. Technical Depth: Deep understanding of suspension, steering, driveline, and transmission component physics, load cases, and failure modes. Tools & Systems: Familiarity with industry-standard CAE solvers (e.g., Abaqus, Nastran, Ansys, Adams, Star-CCM+) and CAD/PLM environments. Global Delivery: Experience managing or directing work packages executed by global engineering service providers or offshore/LCC technical centers. Certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is highly preferred. 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. #VehicleHardwareEngineering