The Role
Designs, engineers, validates, and releases automotive front-closure components including hoods, doors, fenders, latches, hinges, and related structures. Owns part and system engineering, supplier coordination, manufacturing feasibility, cost and weight targets, quality resolution, design optimization, and launch timing. Collaborates with design studios, suppliers, manufacturing, and cross-functional engineering teams using CAD, GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, CAE interpretation, and quality problem-solving methods.
Summary Generated by Built In
Qualifications, You'll Have:
- BS Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering or a related field
- 3+ years of professional experience in the Automotive or Aerospace industry (experience with hinged closures is preferred)
- 3+ years of experience on front closures systems for forward model vehicles with direct ownership of part engineering, system engineering, and part release to meet cost, weight, quality, functional performance, studio appearance, craftsmanship, test validation, manufacturing feasibility, and launch timing requirements (e.g., hoods, front doors, fenders, front-end structure, latches, and hinges)
- Experience with sheet metal body structures, closures, stamping, static and/or dynamic sealing, gas struts/hood props, power drive units/motors, hinges, and latch systems
- Proficiency in 3D CAD tools (e.g., CATIA V5/3DEXPERIENCE, Siemens NX, or equivalent) for part modeling, surfacing, tolerance stack-up analysis, and design feasibility studies
- Hands-on experience with "in-house" engineering, design, and release, as well as managing full-service supplier commodities, with on-time delivery at cost & quality targets
Even better, you may have:
- Experience interfacing with design studio on resolution of design issues related to Exterior Front Closures systems
- Experience leading peers via design reviews to resolve part-to-part interface issues and deliver a successful system
- Experience solving current model quality issues and implementing corrective actions
- Ability to utilize and demonstrate System Engineering disciplines and Design for Manufacturing principles to proactively solve issues
- Knowledge of craftsmanship expectations, benchmarking, and futuring
- Knowledge of automotive exterior components, including materials and manufacturing technologies, such as stamping, injection molding, extrusion, forging, casting, welding, riveting, etc.
- Working knowledge of CAE tools and methods (e.g., FEA, structural/durability simulation) to interpret analysis results and support design optimization decisions
- Ability to work overtime & travel to support launches
Front Closures Design & Release Engineer Responsible for new developments, resolving quality issues, and identifying cost reduction opportunities.
QualificationsHard Skills
- 3D CAD proficiency (CATIA V5/3DEXPERIENCE, Siemens NX, or equivalent)
- GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Front closures systems knowledge (hoods, doors, fenders, latches, hinges, gas struts)
- Sheet metal design (draft angles, bend radius, undercuts)
- Manufacturing processes (stamping, injection molding, extrusion, forging, casting, welding, riveting)
- Design for Manufacturing (DFM) / Design for Assembly (DFA)
- Static/dynamic sealing systems
- Quality problem-solving tools (8D, FMEA, root cause analysis)
- CAE / FEA interpretation (Abaqus, Nastran, Ansys, LS-DYNA) — desirable
- PLM/Teamcenter and part release processes
Supplier and cost/weight management
Soft Skills
- Effective communication across cross-functional teams
- Technical leadership / influence without authority
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Negotiation
- Time management and prioritization
- Adaptability under ambiguity
- Results-driven mindset
- Global, multicultural teamwork
- Attention to detail (craftsmanship focus)
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field
- 3+ years of professional experience in the automotive or aerospace industry
- 3+ years of experience engineering front-closure systems for forward-model vehicles
- Direct ownership of part engineering, system engineering, and part release
- Experience with hinged closures
- Experience with sheet-metal body structures, closures, stamping, static or dynamic sealing, gas struts or hood props, power drive units or motors, hinges, and latch systems
- Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as CATIA V5, 3DEXPERIENCE, Siemens NX, or equivalent
- Experience with part modeling, surfacing, tolerance stack-up analysis, and design feasibility studies
- Hands-on in-house engineering, design, and release experience
- Experience managing full-service supplier commodities to on-time delivery, cost, and quality targets
- Experience interfacing with design studios to resolve exterior front-closure design issues
- Experience leading peers through design reviews to resolve part-to-part interface issues
- Experience resolving current-model quality issues and implementing corrective actions
- Knowledge of system engineering disciplines and Design for Manufacturing principles
- Knowledge of craftsmanship expectations, benchmarking, and futuring
- Knowledge of automotive exterior materials and manufacturing technologies, including stamping, injection molding, extrusion, forging, casting, welding, and riveting
- Working knowledge of CAE tools and methods, including FEA and structural or durability simulation
- Ability to work overtime and travel to support launches
- Proficiency with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Knowledge of sheet-metal design, including draft angles, bend radius, and undercuts
- Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Design for Assembly
- Knowledge of static and dynamic sealing systems
- Experience with quality problem-solving tools, including 8D, FMEA, and root-cause analysis
- Knowledge of PLM, Teamcenter, and part-release processes
- Experience with supplier and cost or weight management
- Effective cross-functional communication
- Technical leadership and ability to influence without authority
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Negotiation skills
- Time management and prioritization skills
- Adaptability under ambiguity
- Results-driven mindset
- Ability to work in global, multicultural teams
- Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship focus
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 — Eligible employees can access medical, dental, and prescription coverage starting on the first day, with some zero-cost plan options and free mental health support. Benefits materials highlight comprehensive healthcare as a core pillar.
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Retirement Support — Employees can enroll in a 401(k)-style plan from day one, and some salaried plans include a company match of $0.90 per dollar on the first 5% contributed. Official summaries also describe financial-planning support.
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Parental & Family Support — The package includes paid parental leave, fertility, surrogacy, and adoption benefits, plus a ramp-up program for new parents returning to work. Flexible family-care days and other time-off options support caregiving needs.
Ford Motor Company Insights
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The Company
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.
