Technical Specialist - Chassis Systems Reliability Verification & Validation

Ford; Dearborn, Northern (MI, KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Paid time off

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Technical Expert (LL6) to lead global suspension and steering system integration from concept through launch. The role requires hands-on development, testing, data analysis, and cross-functional leadership across Ford domains.

Hybrid work arrangement with travel to global centers. Ideal candidates have BS Engineering, 10+ years experience in suspension components, and strong DFMEA/PFMEA expertise, GD&T, and CAE-based validation methods.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering with extensive suspension knowledge and 10+ years of experience.
• Proven experience in durability validation and design release.
• Expertise with DFMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans and GD&T.
• Experience with CAE and physical test methods for system validation.

Responsibilities

• Lead vehicle, system, and lab testing to validate reliability and confidence.
• Develop and execute tests to exercise noise factors and failure modes.
• Collaborate across Ford functions to link test methods to design inputs.
• Coach Suspension D&R engineers and drive issue resolution across regions.
• Support signoff processes for System/Subsystem/Component prior to Chief Signoff.

Skills

System integration

DFMEA/PFMEA

CA E data analysis

Durability testing

Leadership & mentoring

Problem solving tools

Education

BS Engineering

Tools

Teamcenter

Buck environment

GD&T

CAE tools

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!

At Ford, the Vehicle Hardware Engineering teams are using Design Thinking & User Experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that will delight our customers. Our employees are laser-focused on bringing innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. From autonomy and electrification to smart mobility technologies, our teams around the world are working together with excitement to make smart vehicles for a smart world.

Technical Expert (LL6) position leading global suspension and steering system integration from concept, design and validation, through industrialization and launch for base and off road capable systems.

In this position...

• Ensure best in world quality from initial vehicle quality through high time in service.
• Ensure aligned cascade of Reliability and Confidence statistical objectives for the 90th percentile use case with classification of end items aspects as Durable Core or Replaceable.
• Ensure aligned cascade of targets for reliability of suspension end items – vehicle to system to end item to end item functions.
• Ensure proper accounting of suspension function and performance within customer operating conditions and environments / noise factors using the system RCL and aligning with end item RCL’s.
• Expert in creating and executing vehicle, system, and lab testing that exercise applicable noise factors and potential failure modes to demonstrate targeted Reliability and Confidence.
• Hands on development, test, and data acquisition skills with ability to reduce and analyze data to support Test Method development and root cause analysis.
• Use of warranty analysis, management fleet information, government inspection data, supplier part sales, social media, etc to confirm coverage of our design verification test methods.
• Ensure connection of our physical test methods to our design inputs and CAE verification methods.
• Drive key stress factors into specifications and test methods to eliminate HTIS failures collaborating with TE/SME Specification owners.
• Champion change point analysis for re-used or modified end items and ensure correct level of requirements and checks are planned as part of the program.
• Work with customer correlation and system technical specialists to align system durability verification methods for each application including a formalized engagement of connected vehicle data, vehicle platform engineering and Ford Business divisions like Ford Pro.
• Lead on suspension diagnostics and prognostics.
• Integral to Signoff of System/Subsystem/Component with specific signoff responsibility BEFORE Chief Signoff
• Coach, Mentor, & Train Suspension D&R engineers across all the global regions
• Go-To for System Problem Solving – Launch, Recall, Quality / Field Issues, DV/PV Issues

You’ll have...

• BS-Engineering required
• 10 years of experience
• 6+ years in suspension related components and commodities.
• Extensive system and component engineering design & release experience, knowledge of various chassis architecture performance characteristics, and experience with vehicle, system, and component durability validation methods, architecture creation, and vehicle manufacturing.
• Extensive experience creating and managing DFMEA/PFMEA/SCCAF/Control Plans/ drawings-GD&T
• Experience with problem solving tools – 8D, 5 why, Six Sigma, etc.
• Experience analyzing output from CAE and physical test methods – vehicle, system, and component.
• Position requires occasional travel to assembly plants and other global chassis engineering centers to support process development, issue identification/resolution, and launch/ongoing production.
• Travel may be significant at times as needed
• On-site support for collaboration required targeting 4 days per week minimum.

Even better, you may have...

• Understanding of GPDS deliverables and basic Ford engineering tools including Teamcenter and buck environment.
• Ability to handle complex tasks and challenging situations under compressed timing
• Experience communicating with senior leaders, design and release, manufacturing, and suppliers
• Outstanding planning, organizational and project management skills with proper follow-up to accomplish multiple objectives
• Strong One Ford Leadership Behaviors with demonstrated ability to drive and deliver results
• Effective coaching and mentoring skills
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills
• Ability to build strong effective relationships with cross functional teams (Foundation Chassis, Design and Release, Vehicle Operations, Testing Centers, and Suppliers)

• 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.

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. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid

#VehicleHardwareEngineering #LI-CW1