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!
The HLM Design and Release Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, release and implementation of handles, locks, and mechanisms into vehicle closures (hoods/frunks, side doors, tailgates, liftgates, decklids). You will also drive for design improvements to increase quality and optimize cost/weight throughout development as well as through the production life of the products.
In addition, you will lead the suppliers and guide the design of the HLM components, achieving compliance to Requirements & Design Rules, managing attributes (package, design feasibility, NVH, water management, craftsmanship, crash safety) as well as the manufacturing assembly requirements at the assembly plant(s).
ResponsibilitiesWhat you'll do...
- Manage and lead the HLM suppliers to comply with program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
- Understand GPDS (Global Product Development System) and create plans to deliver on time.
- Collaborate with cross functional teams to deliver a robust system at vehicle level, ensuring all system interfaces of the HLM components are evaluated and validated.
- Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
- Perform and/or review & sign off technical analyses of component/system functional and packaging studies such as: dimensional stackups (GD&T layouts), CAE’s, dynamic calculations and simulations, etc.
- Actively participate in the Technical Design Reviews.
- Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS through the product life cycle.
- Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter
- Compile, document, sign-off, and present evidence of compliance to all applicable design rules and requirements.
- Develop HLM System documents including DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, & DVP&Rs
- Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
- Develop ESOW (Engineering Statement of Work), EC (Engineering concepts) and participate in the Sourcing Process (SOBA, ED&T review, piece cost and tooling cost review.
- Identify validation, durability and functional tests required as per SDS & ES. (DVP / FEDE)
- Address issues with root cause analysis (8Ds, 3x5Why) and permanent corrective actions implementation.
- Apply knowledge of six sigma principles.
- Define and verify engineering prototypes requirements at part level.
- Parts implementation/Sign-off at assembly plant & assistance with quality issues at all milestones.
- Review impact of PDL revisions and proceed accordingly if affected.
- Collaborate with STA with technical assistance through the Supplier Engagement Process.
- Deliver by applying the One Ford Behaviors.
- Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites when required.
- Travel to North America plants when required.
You'll have...
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in mechanical engineering or a related field.
- 2+ years of engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms. Can include experience from internships and coursework.
- Automotive Latching system like Side Door latching, tailgate/liftgate latch and or latching system,
- Automotive product engineer and or design release engineer
- on Body closures system
- on Seat mechanism and or Seat structures
- Farming and or oil drilling mechanism product design experience
- Aero plane landing gear mechanism product engineer experience
- Heavy construction mechanism product engineer experience
- CAD Capable (such as CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter) & familiarity with CAE tools and software.
- The D&R Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis.
- This role also includes facilitating supplier data integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.
- integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently
- Demonstrated ability to show initiative and prioritize workload.
- Ability to travel domestical and international.
- Proficient in MS Office apps such as Excel, Word, Power Point MS Teams, and MS Azure SharePoint.
- This position is onsite 5 days a week in office and or Ford plant
Even better, if you have …
Preferred
- Experience in design and release of latching mechanisms, closure systems, or related mechanism applications like Seat and Seat Structures.
- Software literacy and mechatronics experience.
- Strong understanding of statistical analysis.
- 8D and 5Why corrective action and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with DFMEA's, PFMEA's, and SCCAF's
- Knowledgeable in the Phased PPAP process
- Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T
- Ability to work in a fluid environment when overall vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location are not always known.
- Ability to solve complex system issues and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to adapt your role to a variety of applications and issues as required.
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 6-8 and ranges from $74,300 - $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.
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 onsite. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field
- 2+ years engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms (including internships/coursework)
- CAD capable (e.g., CATIA, 3DX) and familiarity with Teamcenter and CAE tools
- Manage product release CAD and BOM structures, assembly positioning, and mass attribute analysis
- Facilitate supplier data integration and develop CAD studies to support design improvements
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues, prioritize workload, and show initiative
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally to supplier manufacturing and testing sites and North America plants
- Proficient in MS Office apps (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), MS Teams, and Azure SharePoint
- Onsite work 5 days a week in office and/or Ford plant (candidates in commuting distance may be required onsite four or more days)
- Ability to compile, document, and present compliance evidence; develop DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DVP&Rs
- Experience with technical analyses such as dimensional stackups (GD&T), dynamic calculations, and simulations
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.
