
Platform Prototype Build Engineer
Ford Motor Company
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Dearborn • Missouri • United States
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Salary
💰 $63,480 - $162,120 per year
About the role
- Orchestrate the Build: Serve as the single point of contact for the Platform Breadboards and Prototypes. You will manage the convergence of hardware and software under the new architecture, ensuring rapid iterations despite high complexity.
- Engineer Solutions (ICAs): When the architecture "breaks"—and it will—you are the first line of defense. You will analyze data logs, interpret defects, and engineer Interim Containment Actions (ICAs) to keep the testing momentum going while guiding D&R teams toward permanent fixes.
- Stakeholder Management: This project has high visibility and "many masters." You will navigate conflicting priorities between timeline pressures and technical realities, negotiating solutions that satisfy senior leadership and technical teams alike.
- System-Level Integration: Move beyond the silo. You will gain a full-vehicle understanding, integrating work from Body, Chassis, Infotainment, and ADAS into a functioning whole.
- Drive Root Cause: Identify, communicate, track, and drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for engineering issues from all sources using Jira.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science or related field
- 2+ years of automotive Prototype, PMT, Program Management, Design & Release, Software Development, or Systems Integration.
- Experience with Ford systems (JIRA, WERS, FEDE) is preferred, but the ability to learn fast is required.
- Rapid Problem Solving: Ability to troubleshoot complex electrical/software issues on the fly. You are comfortable with ambiguity and can make decisions with incomplete data.
- High-Stakes Communication: Proven ability to manage "hot" issues. You can deliver bad news constructively, propose solutions immediately, and maintain trust with cross-functional partners (VO, MP&L, Purchasing) under pressure.
- Self-Direction: Since this is a new team, we need builders. You must be able to identify process gaps and create the controls to fix them.
- Lab/Tool Proficiency: Experience utilizing CAN Tools (Vector CANalyzer/CANoe, etc.) for vehicle troubleshooting, flashing, and configuring software.
- Holistic Mindset: A desire to understand the "Why" and "How" of the entire vehicle architecture, not just a single component.
- Wiring/Schematics: EDS (wiring) Design – ability to read/understand wire harness prints and relationship to schematics and device transmittals.
- Environment: Familiarity with HIL/VISE environments is a plus.
Benefits
- 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
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
automotive PrototypeProgram ManagementDesign & ReleaseSoftware DevelopmentSystems Integrationroot cause analysiswiring designHIL environmentsCAN Toolsdata analysis
Soft Skills
rapid problem solvinghigh-stakes communicationself-directionstakeholder managementnegotiationdecision makingambiguity managementtrust buildingprocess improvementcross-functional collaboration
Certifications
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical EngineeringBachelor of Science in Electrical EngineeringBachelor of Science in Electrical Computer EngineeringBachelor of Science in Software EngineeringBachelor of Science in Computer Science