Prototype Engineering Design Manager

Ford Motor Company

Prototype Engineering Design Manager at Ford leading automotive prototype design and development. Managing complex projects and collaborating with teams to bring concepts to life.

Posted 5/21/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $115,500 - $218,100 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead a team to engineer / design prototypes which include:
Show / Concept / Pre-Production vehicles
Interior and exterior systems (Ex: Lighting, Closures, Instruments Panels, Consoles, Seats)
Interior and exterior components (Ex: Buttons, nobs and switches)
Interior and exterior clay model armatures
Support the development of prototype build plans, lead the team through delivering data on time and with quality
Work collaboratively with design, engineering, marketing and program teams to align on scope of work, build timing and budget - managing those throughout the prototype build cycle
Leverage background in automotive systems and subsystems to identify and document design and engineering feasibility concerns and support the identification of robust solutions.
Identify areas of opportunity and process efficiencies and action those as appropriate
Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to continuously improve prototypes.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelors degree in engineering, design, or equivalent
Ability to work in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment
5+ years of experience working in automotive engineering and/or design with a strong understanding of vehicle level systems and subsystems
5+ years of experience leading complex projects and project teams – leveraging program management tools as appropriate
5+ years of experience leveraging prototype manufacturing techniques to build high fidelity prototypes such as additive manufacturing (3D Printing), milling, fiberglass layups, clay modeling, etc.
5+ years of experience with design / PLM software such as Catia, 3DX, Teamcenter, Alias etc.
5+ years of experience working collaboratively with design, engineering, product marketing and program management
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

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

automotive engineeringprototype manufacturing techniquesadditive manufacturing3D printingmillingfiberglass layupsclay modelingdesign softwarePLM softwarevehicle level systems

Soft Skills

problem-solvingcreativitycommunicationteamworkleadershipcollaborationproject managementadaptabilityorganizational skillsprocess efficiency

Certifications

Bachelor's degree in engineeringBachelor's degree in designequivalent degree