Product Development Engineer

Product Development Engineer

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Support all engineering requirements for service products, including non-warranty and some in-warranty applications, across the respective commodities.

This will be accomplished by completing engineering requirements that deliver retail maintenance and light repair parts. Maintain service parts after the new vehicle warranty coverage ends to resolve technical, cost, backorder, and Vehicle Off Road concerns.

Key Responsibilities

As a Service Product Engineer, you will champion the development and management of service products for North American Programs. We need leadership to help Ford accelerate further service product offerings as part of our enterprise aftermarket parts strategy. Your responsibilities will include:

Product Lifecycle Management: Lead the design, development, launch, and ongoing maintenance of vehicle service products, ensuring their availability and quality throughout the vehicle's lifecycle.

Data-Driven Analysis: Proactively identify, extract, and synthesize complex technical and business data from a wide range of internal and external sources to inform product decisions and strategy.

Cross-Program Commodity Management: Successfully manage parts and components across multiple vehicle lines, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

Program Integration: Review and interpret vehicle content specifications (e.g., PDO, WERS, GCAT/ECAT, FEDE) to ensure service product alignment.

Feasibility & Planning: Provide critical input into the Cost, Feasibility, and Timing (CFT) process, contributing to strategic product planning.

Continuous Improvement: Apply lessons learned from past service part offerings to resolve current program issues and innovate future product solutions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a key interface with diverse teams including Planning, Program Management, Purchasing, Vehicle Programs, and other engineering groups.

CAD/CAE Proficiency: Utilize advanced CAD/CAE tools (e.g., Team Center, Vis Mockup, Catia) to navigate product content, perform 3D sectioning, conduct technical evaluations, and assess form, fit, and feasibility.

Technical Research & Documentation: Conduct in-depth research using various engineering systems (e.g., WERS, GCAT/ECAT, FEDE) to gather part information, release levels, usage data, global requirements, design rules, and test methods for comprehensive design verification plans (DVP/PVP).

Supplier & Manufacturing Engagement: Collaborate with suppliers, core engineers, and manufacturing teams to ensure product manufacturability, quality controls, and adherence to corporate engineering and manufacturing statements of work (ESOW, MSOW).

Quality Assurance & Compliance: Implement and apply robust quality tools (e.g., FMEA, DVP, SCCAF, Control Plan, PPAP, 8D) to ensure product integrity, evaluate technical documents, and sign-off on engineering releases in compliance with Ford Global Requirements, Design Rules, and Federal Regulations.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical/electrical/chemical engineering.
• Proven experience in product development, engineering, or a related technical role within the automotive or a similar complex manufacturing industry.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive projects to completion.
• Proficiency in CAD/CAE software (e.g., Team Center, Catia, Vis Mockup) and experience with 3D modeling and analysis.
• Familiarity with quality tools and methodologies (e.g., FMEA, DVP, PPAP, 8D).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills to effectively interface with internal teams, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• A strong passion for customer satisfaction and understanding the lifetime value of a product.

Bonus Points If You Have

• Master's degree in engineering.
• Experience with aftermarket, service parts, or fleet product development.
• Knowledge of Ford's internal engineering systems and processes (e.g., WERS, FEDE, PDO).