Racing Tire Design & Release Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Ford Racing Engineer developing wheel and tire systems for high-profile off-road vehicles. Leading design, program management, and cross-functional teamwork for Ford Performance division in hybrid setting.

Posted 4/11/2026full-timeAllen Park • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $72,480 - $162,120 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design & Engineering Leadership: Lead the cradle-to-grave design, release, and delivery of Wheel and Tire systems for Ford Performance vehicles. You will develop innovative solutions that balance extreme off-road capability with production feasibility.
Program Management: Manage the Quality, Cost, Weight, Function, and Timing (QCWFT) for your commodities to support engineering and program GPDS milestones.
Cross-Functional Integration: Act as the central hub between the Design Studio, Vehicle Dynamics, and the Core Brake Organization to ensure packaging and performance requirements are met.
Supplier & Sourcing Management: Partner with Purchasing to source commodities; manage Tier 1 suppliers to ensure timely delivery of parts for prototype and production builds.
Validation & Launch: Support the vehicle lifecycle through prototype builds, physical testing, and final launch. You will lead issue resolution, design change management, and root cause analysis.
Performance DNA: Ensure all components conform to the strict "Ford Performance DNA" as well as all applicable regulatory and safety requirements.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, or Aerospace preferred).
1 completed program cycle in Chassis engineering (concept to launch).
2+ years of experience using CAD (CATIA V5/V6) and/or visualization tools (Vis Mockup, Teamcenter).
Deep understanding of program delivery processes (GPDS or equivalent OEM milestone process).
Familiarity with Ford proprietary systems (or equivalent OEM systems), including: Teamcenter, WERS, FEDE, FEDEBOM, and DFMEA methodologies.
Excellent organizational and communication skills; ability to lead design teams and external resources without direct supervision.
An independent self-starter with a passion for performance vehicles who can connect analytical data with physical vehicle feedback.
Specific experience with bead-lock wheels, high-compliance off-road tires, or central tire inflation systems (CTIS).
Experience with fabrication, machining, or physical mockups (e.g., Formula SAE, Baja SAE, or personal project car builds) to demonstrate proof of concept.
Experience with CAE analysis tools for structural durability or wheel modal analysis.
PMP certification or Six Sigma Green Belt.
Previous experience working directly with major wheel manufacturers (casting/forging) or tire compounds.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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.

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Hard Skills & Tools

CADCATIA V5CATIA V6visualization toolsprogram delivery processesDFMEA methodologiesCAE analysis toolsstructural durability analysiswheel modal analysisfabrication

Soft Skills

organizational skillscommunication skillsleadershipindependent self-starteranalytical skills

Certifications

PMP certificationSix Sigma Green Belt