Entry Level Product Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan

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The Dearborn Engine Laboratory performs dynamometer-based tests on gasoline and diesel engines, covering areas such as engine development and durability, powertrain calibration, and cooling system evaluations.

The Engine Test Engineer interfaces with requesting departments to ensure daily testing requirements are clearly understood, scheduled, and documented. A primary focus of this role is overseeing the daily execution of engine dynamometer testing while ensuring that engine setup, testing, and disposition are executed to the highest product quality standards. The engineer is responsible for monitoring active tests across multiple lab cells, adhering to strict quality controls to produce correlated, accurate, and reliable data. This role is fundamental to maintaining exceptional product quality, minimizing downtime, and driving continuous improvement in daily lab operations.

Position Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or a related Engineering discipline

• Working knowledge of internal combustion engines, fluid flow mechanics, and basic heat transfer properties.
• Experience with data analysis and a strong foundation in statistics and quality control methodologies.
• A motivated, self-starting individual with the ability to manage daily operational challenges and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• The Engineer is expected to understand and effectively utilize product check-in/check-out processes, version control, data release, and change management within Ford's PLM ecosystem
• Proficiency in the MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Project).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous hands-on experience in a powertrain-related role or daily engine dynamometer testing operations.
• Experience with product quality assurance, failure analysis, and continuous improvement processes (e.g., Six Sigma, 8D).
• Knowledge of quality management systems and standardized testing procedures.
• Familiarity with test cell automation software and data acquisition systems.

Position Responsibilities:

Daily Test Execution and Quality Assurance:

• Oversee the daily operation and execution of engine dynamometer tests, ensuring all test matrices are completed on schedule and to exact engineering requirements.
• Interface daily with requesting engineering teams to understand test objectives, provide status updates, and deliver accurate test results.
• Monitor active tests to ensure rigorous product quality and durability standards are maintained throughout the testing lifecycle.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting support for lab operations, resolving mechanical, electrical, or software issues rapidly to minimize test downtime.
• Maintain detailed daily documentation, including test logs, quality control measures, and standard operating procedures.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action initiatives when testing anomalies, equipment faults, or product quality issues are identified during daily operations.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improving daily operational efficiency, test throughput, and data accuracy.

Data Analysis and Validation:

• Conduct daily review, analysis, and validation of test data to support powertrain development and quality initiatives.
• Ensure data correlation and accuracy across multiple test cells and lab environments.
• Utilize statistical process controls (SPC) and other quality tools to monitor and continuously enhance data integrity and product reliability.

Test Operations Management:

• Manage test schedules, resource allocation, and daily throughput targets to ensure the timely delivery of test results.
• Coordinate with lab technicians and support staff to ensure test cells are properly prepared, maintained, and calibrated for upcoming tests.
• Employ a process-driven approach to standardizing daily lab operations, engine rigging, and teardown procedures.

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 5-8.  Potential salary ranges can go from $63,480-162,120.      
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 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
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