Ford Energy is a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company dedicated to accelerating U.S. energy independence. Leveraging Ford’s century of manufacturing excellence and world-class battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid-scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems (BESS). Ford Energy is uniquely positioned to capture the growing demand for reliable, US-built energy storage systems. We are not just building batteries; we are building the infrastructure for the next generation of the American grid.
Why Ford Energy?
At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package including performance-based bonuses, Ford vehicle discounts, and the opportunity to shape the energy strategy of one of the world's most iconic brands. Learn more at https://fordenergy.com.
In this position...
The FMA (Failure Mode Avoidance) Engineer is the technical engine behind Ford Energy's 'design it right the first time' quality philosophy. This role owns the rigorous, structured processes — DFMEA, PFMEA, Robustness Reliability Cross-Check Lists (RRCL), and Special or Critical Characteristics Agreement Framework (SCCAF) — that identify and eliminate potential failure modes before they reach hardware, while ensuring proper linkage between all documents. The FMA Engineer works at the intersection of systems architecture (using Model-Based Systems Engineering tools like MagicDraw), design engineering, and manufacturing to ensure failure avoidance is embedded from concept through production.
What you'll do...
- FMA Process Leadership
- Plan, schedule, and facilitate DFMEA and PFMEA workshops across cross-functional design, systems, and manufacturing engineering teams.
- Ensure FMA activities are timed to influence design decisions (i.e., conducted early enough to shape architecture, not just document risk after the fact).
- Coach and train design/manufacturing engineers on FMA methodology to build organization-wide fluency.
You'll have...
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
- 5+ years of hands-on expertise with DFMEA/PFMEA methodology; Six Sigma Green/Black Belt preferred.
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering tools (MagicDraw or similar).
Preferred - Experience applying FMA methodology to high-voltage battery systems or power electronics.
- Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
- Familiarity with SCCAF/RRCL frameworks specifically (as used in automotive/Ford quality systems).
- MagicDraw (MBSE)
- DFMEA/PFMEA software (APIS IQ-RM, Relyence, or similar)
- PLM/requirements management integration tools
- Typical Career Path
- Progression toward Senior FMA/Reliability Engineer, FMA Program Lead, or Supervisor, Systems Integration and FMA.
- Physical Demands & Working Conditions
- This role is primarily performed in an office, laboratory, manufacturing, or supplier environment, depending on program needs.
- Occasional work in high-voltage or industrial environments may be required, with appropriate training and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to support testing, supplier, manufacturing, or customer activities.
- Location & Travel
- This position is based in Dearborn, Michigan.
- Travel may be required to support supplier, manufacturing, laboratory, and customer activities.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
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 a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200.
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.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Company: As Ford establishes a wholly owned subsidiary focused on Battery Energy Storage Systems, this role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year.
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.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering
- 5+ years of hands-on expertise with DFMEA and PFMEA methodology
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering tools such as MagicDraw or similar
- Experience applying Failure Mode Avoidance methodology to high-voltage battery systems or power electronics
- Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification
- Familiarity with SCCAF and RRCL frameworks, particularly automotive or Ford quality systems
- Experience with MagicDraw MBSE
- Experience with DFMEA/PFMEA software such as APIS IQ-RM, Relyence, or similar
- Experience with PLM and requirements management integration tools
- Legally authorized to work in the United States
Ford Motor Company Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Ford Motor Company and has not been reviewed or approved by Ford Motor Company.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage start on day one with options that include zero-premium plans, free mental health support, and wellness resources. For represented hourly employees, health plans are described as low-cost with strong coverage value.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match and additional company contributions is available from day one, alongside life and disability coverage. Pension eligibility in certain situations and financial-planning support reinforce long‑term security.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave, fertility, surrogacy, and adoption benefits, plus a ramp‑up program for returning parents, reflect a family‑focused package. Flexible Family Care days and generous time‑off options help address short‑term caregiving and personal needs.
Ford Motor Company Insights
What We Do
Ford is a global company with shared ideals and a deep sense of family. From our earliest days as a pioneer of modern transportation, we have sought to make the world a better place – one that benefits lives, communities and the planet. We are here to provide the means for every person to move and pursue their dreams, serving as a bridge between personal freedom and the future of mobility. In that pursuit, our 186,000 employees around the world help to set the pace of innovation every day.
