Automotive R&D Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

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.

In this position...

The Switch Engineering Supervisor is responsible for leading the design, development, release, and global program delivery of all automotive switch commodities. This role oversees a team of Core Engineers and Product Owner / Design & Release (D&R) Engineers, ensuring robust engineering standards, successful supplier sourcing, seamless system integration, and flawless vehicle launch execution.

You'll have...

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering preferred); Master's degree is a plus.

5+ years of experience in Design & Release (D&R) or Product Application Engineering.

3+ years of experience in Systems Engineering, core specifications development, or vehicle launch execution.

Demonstrated experience leading or working closely with electrical/electronic product design teams.

Technical & Process Skills

Deep understanding of quality and validation disciplines: FMEA, FMA, SCCAF, DVP&R, and EMC testing.

Experience managing Full Service Suppliers (FSS) from initial RFQ/sourcing through PPAP and end-of-life cycles.

Familiarity with physical vehicle packaging, Digital Pre-Assembly (DPA), and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design constraints.

Excellent leadership, program management, problem-solving (e.g., 8D, Red X), and organizational planning skills

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 leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500-$218,100.     

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

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 hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-DP1

What you'll do...

Team Leadership & Resource Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of Core Engineers and Product Owner / D&R Engineers.

• Allocate engineering resources to align with global vehicle program milestones, advanced technology initiatives, and regional application needs.

• Foster a collaborative, agile environment to deliver switch products on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Core Engineering & Standards

• Guide the development, maintenance, and approval of generic Engineering Specifications (ES) and Requirements

• Drive early-stage sourcing activities, including advanced benchmarking, technology roadmaps, early supplier involvement, and early program checkpoints

• Lead supplier engagement processes, including engineering kick-offs

Product Ownership & Program D&R Execution

• Ensure robust program-specific execution from concept to launch, overseeing content definition (PDL), timing plans, and commercial agreements (CPA, eSOWs, RFQs, and ED&T approvals).

• Manage mechanical and electronic hardware design, packaging, interface tolerance stack-ups, and DFMEA critical/ special characteristics.

• Govern system-level definition, interface control sheets, load databases, and Global Device Transmittals (GDT) using VSEM.

• Oversee component-level and vehicle-level validation, including FEDE requirement classification/target setting/assessments, DV/PV testing, EMC compliance and Worst case circuit analysis (WCCA)

• Supervise supplier CAD releasing, AVBOM/FEDEBOM management, early tooling authorizations, and production release approvals in WERS.

Quality, Craftsmanship, & Launch Support

• Deliver switch products that meet stringent feel, sound, styling, ergonomics, and Human Machine Interface (HMI) requirements.

• Champion quality improvement initiatives, including FMA foundation documents, FMEA, and Campaign Prevention deep dives.

• Support assembly plants during launch phases through Digital Pre-Assembly (DPA) reviews, assembly set-up evaluations, and end-of-line (EOL) testing.

• Manage product and program open issue matrices to ensure swift resolution of engineering, manufacturing, and interface concerns.