Product Design Engineer – Upper Body Structures

Ford Motor Company

Product Design and Release Engineer at Ford developing and validating upper body structures. Leading design and development efforts in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Posted 4/29/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-LevelWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Assembly

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Understand structural design to meet vehicle attributes including FMVSS, NVH and Safety
Lead Purchasing, Finance, and Cost Estimating in supplier selection to achieve program targets
Develop component designs that meet customer requirements, and Vehicle Operations manufacturing requirements.
Interface with engineers of surrounding components and systems (seats, electrical, etc)
Release 3-D CAD that meets system design requirements
Support supplier and Ford CAE testing of structure and closure designs prior to tooling
Kick off tooling, supplier part manufacturing, part layout, and part testing
Lead prototype vehicle level build support for structures
Manage Final Engineering Sign-off and production vehicle launch at Ford assembly plants

Requirements

What you’ll need

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering - Master’s preferred.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
2 years of experience as structures D&R Engineer or relevant course work for new graduates
Working knowledge of Catia V5/V6 and/or 3DX CAD is preferred
Recent product development experience with Ford body commodities a plus
Applying DMAIC and DFSS principles
Reviewing and signing-off on component drawings and gaging practices
Applying 8D, fishbone, and DOE problem solving methodology
Creating Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DFMEA & SCCAFs
Reviewing CAE models and CAD drawings
Leading design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance
Maintaining DVP&R and signing-off on DV tests – including FMVSS requirements
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point).
Executing threaded fastener joint designs and tests
Knowledge of Ford software systems: AIMS, WERS, FEDE, and Integrator.

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

structural design3-D CADCatia V5Catia V63DX CADDMAICDFSS8D problem solvingDFMEAthreaded fastener joint design

Soft Skills

communication skillsleadershipcollaboration

Certifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical EngineeringMaster’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering