UEV Prototype Planning Supervisor

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Hybrid work arrangement

Vehicle discount program

Job summary

Ford in Michigan seeks a Prototype Build Leader to orchestrate early concept prototypes through Design Confirmation Vehicles. You will coordinate engineering planning, build events, and test execution with teams in California and Dearborn, ensuring parts arrive on time and plans meet quality targets.

You will drive cross-functional execution, manage schedules, budgets, and supplier coordination, and report status to senior leadership. Hybrid onsite four days/week in a leadership role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or equivalent technical field strongly preferred; candidates with a strong program/technical program management background will also be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive or related program/product delivery roles.
• Demonstrated ability to own program schedules and drive cross-functional teams to on-time milestones.
• Experience with budget tracking and cost management on complex programs.
• Strong understanding of prototype vehicle build processes and verification/validation builds.

Responsibilities

• Lead prototype build execution for an all-new EV program, delivering verification builds ahead of plant implementation.
• Coordinate engineers across vehicle functions to align build timing and technical readiness.
• Own and manage build timing/schedule, driving on-time milestones and issue reporting.
• Track program budget, flag risks, and drive corrective actions to meet targets.
• Manage on-time supplier part delivery and build execution of parts and properties.
• Identify and resolve geometrical and system-level incompatibilities using first-principles problem solving.
• Present program status, risks, and milestones to leadership during reviews.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Autonomy

Budget tracking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Confluence

JIRA

MS Office

Job description

In this position...

We are seeking a prototype build leader to join the team to orchestrate the prototype build activities starting from early concept prototypes through to Design Confirmation Vehicles. Working with the teams in California and Dearborn, you will manage the engineering planning and execution of build events to ensure we get the right parts at the right time. You will then managing the physical build events to ensure our physical test plans are able to be executed on time and with quality with active management of builds and issues along the way.

What you'll do...

• Lead prototype build execution for an all-new electric vehicle program, with a specific focus on delivering verification builds ahead of plant implementation, partnering closely with Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing teams.
• Serve as the program management leader coordinating engineers across all vehicle functions (body, chassis, electrical, interior, powertrain, and more) to align build timing, technical readiness, and deliverables with accountability for cross-functional execution.
• Own and manage the build timing/schedule directly, exercising sound judgement and independent decision making to drive on-time execution of build planning, prototyping milestones, and issue reporting.
• Track program budget and cost performance against target, flagging risks and driving corrective actions to keep the program within financial targets.
• Manage and ensure on time supplier part delivery, timing, and build execution of parts and physical properties.
• Support engineering and build teams in identifying and resolving geometrical and system-level incompatibilities, applying first-principles problem solving.
• Present program status, risks, and milestone readiness directly to leadership in program/gateway reviews.

You'll have...

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or equivalent technical field strongly preferred; candidates with a strong program/technical program management background (without a technical degree) will also be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive or related program/product delivery roles.
• Practical mechanical vehicle knowledge, fabrication experience and problem solving.
• Ability to work with a high level of autonomy to resolve issues and deliver on-time milestones.
• Demonstrated experience owning program schedules/timing and driving cross-functional teams to on-time milestones.
• Launch experience delivering prototype vehicle builds through plant implementation.
• Experience with budget tracking and cost management on complex programs.
• Strong understanding of the prototype vehicle build process, including verification/validation build phases.
• Experience presenting program status and risk to senior leadership.
• Understanding of engineering fundamentals and ability to interpret vehicle systems and manufacturing processes.
• Strong proficiency in Atlassian tools (Confluence, JIRA).
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and program dashboard/reporting tools.

Even better, you may have...

• Master's degree in Engineering or MBA.
• PMP certification or formal program/project management training.
• CAD proficiency (Catia, 3D Experience) for assembly, part design, and 2D drawing reviews.
• Experience designing and releasing mechanical and electromechanical systems.
• Prior experience specifically on EV programs.
• Experience working effectively in high-pressure, fast-changing environments, with the ability to adapt to shifting requirements and act quickly and independently to resolve issues.

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 leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500-218,100 (MI); $127,100-239,900 (CA)

*Salary ranges will vary depending on geographical location.

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