Design and Release Engineer

At Ford, we are driven by a shared vision to move the world and shape the future. We embrace innovation, collaborate passionately, and contribute to something larger than ourselves every day. Are you ready to be a part of transforming mobility?

Our Product Development team leverages design thinking and user experience methodologies to deliver breakthrough products and services that truly delight our customers. We are committed to bringing innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life, with global opportunities to advance autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more.

The Opportunity: As a Design & Release Engineer within the Underbody Systems Engineering (UnSE) organization, you will be the primary owner of the driveline components for the C2 platform. 

You will be instrumental in bridging engineering design with manufacturing reality, directly collaborating with skilled engineering teams and operators at both assembly and component plants. This role involves optimizing existing designs for streamlined assembly and maximizing the performance our customers expect, while also spearheading new design implementations. 

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, release, and continuous improvement of driveline systems and components throughout the product development cycle.
• Own system and component engineering deliverables, ensuring compliance with performance, durability, quality, cost, weight, timing, and manufacturing requirements.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation including specifications, CAD releases, assembly illustrations, test plans, and technical reports.
• Support analytical activities including CAE, FEA, durability, NVH, and performance assessments to optimize system designs.
• Plan, execute, and analyze component, subsystem, and vehicle-level testing to validate engineering requirements.
• Lead technical issue resolution using structured problem-solving methods and drive corrective actions for design, validation, launch, and field concerns.
• Collaborate with vehicle programs, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, and supplier teams to ensure successful system integration and product delivery.
• Support prototype builds, vehicle launches, and production activities by identifying, documenting, and resolving engineering issues.
• Work directly with suppliers to review designs, improve product quality, resolve concerns, and ensure compliance with engineering requirements.
• Participate in design reviews, program milestone assessments, and cross-functional engineering meetings.
• Monitor warranty, customer feedback, and field performance data to identify improvement opportunities and enhance product robustness.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and engineering best practices.
• Stay current on emerging driveline technologies, electrification trends, materials, and manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in automotive engineering
• 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.
• Being agile with tasks and able to pick up new concepts and systems quickly and efficiently. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• Demonstrated experience with performance and durability testing, including both dynamometer and in-vehicle validation
• Robust understanding and application of Systems Engineering principles
• Familiarity with Ford's Design and Release Tools, such as WERS, Teamcenter, FEDE, ED&T, and processes including DVP, DFMEA, Quality History, and Warranty Analysis 
• Proven strong problem-solving abilities and a creative approach to developing innovative engineering solutions

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow’s transportation.Ford Product Development is utilizing Design Thinking & User Experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that will delight our customers. Our employees are laser-focused on bringing innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. From autonomy and electrification, to smart mobility technologies, our Product Development teams around the world are working together with excitement to make smart vehicles for a smart world.