Thermal/Fluid Modeling Engineer - Electrified Powertrains

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 81,800 - 182,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Prescription drug coverage

Parental leave

Child care support

Vehicle discount

Tuition assistance

Employee resource groups

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Thermal/Fluid Modeling Engineer to advance powertrain design and development. You’ll apply advanced thermal and CFD methods, work with CAE tools, and partner with CAD and testing teams to ensure accurate predictions and robust designs.

The role emphasizes hybrid work, collaboration across CAE, test, and manufacturing, and contributing to Ford's cutting-edge powertrains. A Master’s degree and 2+ years of relevant experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• 2+ years of professional experience with 1D/3D CFD tools (e.g., GT‑Suite, Star‑CCM+, Fluent, Converge).
• 2+ years using CAD tools (e.g., Teamcenter, CATIA) for model preparation and integration into computational meshes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced 1D/3D thermal and CFD analysis across system, subsystem, and component levels.
• Utilize CAD tools for meshing and preparing models for thermal and fluid flow simulations.
• Collaborate with product development teams to provide analytical support for optimization and milestones.
• Partner with testing teams to improve model correlation and validation.
• Engage with software vendors to drive development of new modeling methodologies.

Skills

CFD tools

CAD tools

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Teamcenter

CATIA

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.

Ford’s Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company’s vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer‑obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data‑driven and is dedicated to delivering industry‑leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You’ll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out.

In this position, we are looking for a talented Thermal/Fluid Modeling Engineer to join our innovative team dedicated to advancing powertrains. This position offers a unique opportunity to apply advanced thermal/fluid modeling methodologies and analysis techniques, directly contributing to the design and development of Ford’s cutting‑edge powertrains.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct advanced 1D/3D thermal and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis across system, subsystem, and component levels using commercial CAE/CFD software.
• Utilize CAD tools for meshing and preparing models for 1D/3D thermal and fluid flow simulations.
• Collaborate with product development teams, providing crucial analytical support for system optimization, development milestones, and problem‑solving.
• Partner with physical testing teams to enhance model predictability, correlation, and validation.
• Engage with software vendors to drive the development of new modeling methodologies.

Qualifications

Master's degree (M.S.) in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.

• 2+ years of professional experience (Co‑ops/internships/Coursework included) with 1D/3D CFD tools (e.g., GT‑Suite, Star‑CCM+, Fluent, Converge).
• 2+ years of experience (Co‑ops/internships/Coursework included) utilizing CAD tools (e.g., Teamcenter, CATIA) for model preparation and integration into computational meshes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Deep understanding and practical experience in numerical simulation principles, including meshing resolution, solution accuracy, convergence, boundary condition setup, transient modeling, and turbulence model selection.
• Proficiency with multi‑physics modeling tools (e.g., GT‑Suite, COMSOL, Star‑CCM+).
• Proficiency with at least one programming language (MATLAB, Python, Java).
• Hands‑on experience applying AI/ML techniques to thermal fluid applications.
• Proven ability to develop high‑fidelity models and effectively correlate them with experimental test data.
• Experience with system‑parameter optimization and applying machine learning methods for robust product design.
• Demonstrated experience in cross‑functional teamwork, collaborating with CAE, test, and manufacturing engineers to deliver optimal product design recommendations.
• Excellent communication and technical presentation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

• 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 a salary grade 6‑8 and ranges from $81,800–182,800. 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.