Supervisor – Core Upper Steering

Ford Motor Company

Upper Steering Core Supervisor at Ford leading engineering team to deliver design requirements for steering systems. Focusing on technical excellence and supplier collaboration.

Posted 6/30/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $132,800 - $250,800 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the Upper Steering section of Engineers to deliver Core deliverables for the Steering Mechanical Column (Manual/Power), Locks, Shift Lever, Intermediate Shaft, and Dash Boot
Mentor and coach the team providing technical guidance and professional development, ensuring collaboration with Steering Technical Experts
Manage workload distribution and resource planning
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, diversity, and technical innovation
Create and manage Upper Steering (Column, Locks, I-shaft, Dash Boot) foundation standards and processes using System Engineering to ensure robust system design and validation including DFMEAs/FUSA, SDS Requirements, Functional Specifications, Engineering Specifications, SySML/MBSE, Design Rules, Interface Drawings, Guide Files, SCAFF/SCCP, Quality History, RCL/RDM, Test Methods, Perfect Drawing Plans, etc.
Optimize requirements and DV for cost efficiency ensuring Quality and Reliability
Maintain and execute the Upper Steering Commodity Business Plans, focusing on cost efficiency and resiliency while delivering technical excellence
Lead development of new Steering Column suppliers in alignment with the CBP ensuring designs meet requirements with robust validation, DFMEA, SCAFF/SCCP
Lead Upper Steering technical RFQ workstreams collaborating with Supply Chain to meet requirements, quality, timing, and deliver cost target
Lead supplier technical development to ensure an optimal, and cost-efficient supply base, with appropriate supplier tension
Collaborate with Technical Experts/Subject Matter Experts to conduct Technical Design Reviews with Application engineers to ensure clean signoff against Requirements and Design Rules with disciplined DVP&Rs
Execute Prevent Recurrence process for FSA, Stop Ship, High-Priority issues, ensuring Foundation Design Deliverables are updated to prevent future escapes
Develop advanced Upper Steering technology including Mechanical Column integration into the Steer-by-Wire Handwheel Actuator, and Stowable Column concepts, as well as other new Upper Steering technologies
Ensure robust Test Methods (Physical and Analytical) are documented to validate all requirements at all necessary levels including vehicle, system, sub-system, mechanical, electrical, as well interfacing systems
Provide Technical Leadership for critical issue resolution for in-flight and new Upper Steering components including launch, Recall, Quality/Field issues
Actively support emerging quality issues aiding the Application teams with technical depth and speed to identify root cause, ICA, PCA. Go, See & Do at Supplier & Supplier Plants
Lead Global Upper Steering Tech Club to drive technical depth and on-the-job training
Develop Perfect Drawing Plan execution to align with GPDS and deliver high-quality execution
Actively support the Application team on new program APQP Supplier site reviews to ensure robust PFMEA, SCCAF, and Control execution
Actively support TVM idea generation through optimizing requirements and benchmarking as well as idea generation
Support Regulatory Signoff and Compliance

Requirements

What you’ll need

BS Engineering- Mechanical Engineering or strongly related
10+ years of safety critical Automotive design experience or related Industry experience
8+ years of Upper steering experience in Columns, I-shafts or both
Strong leadership skills, passion for quality, passion for customer – inherent self-starter with strong drive for results
Demonstrated leadership experience or demonstrated leadership traits
Strong oral/written communication skills to lead group projects, issue resolution, and management reviews
Demonstrated ability to forge productive relationships, achieve cooperation, and influence priorities of technical experts and other key partners
High technical aptitude. Experience with strong supplier management of complex systems
Thorough understanding of Upper Steering technology, component design, and joint design
Technical depth in system, system architecture and mechanical design
Experience applying Systems Engineering, Failure Mode Avoidance, to develop safety critical systems
Advanced problem-solving skills including 8D, 6 Sigma, 5-Why, Contrast/Converge, y= f(x), Experimental Design
Strong failure mode avoidance skills with a deep understanding of Upper Steering Failure modes
Demonstrated Proficiency in engineering disciplines: DFMEA, DVP&R, 8D, Process Control, PFMEA, and System Engineering Fundamentals
Ability to manage/resolve simultaneous challenging complex technical issues
Experience developing a safety critical product/new technology from initial development through launch
Experience managing a senior engineering team
Knowledgeable in automotive program deliverables timing GPDS and GTDS
Familiar with Ford tools including FEDE, Teamcenter, WERS
Interface experience with Corporate Safety and Legal teams on safety critical systems
Cross-functional knowledge of interfacing systems – Steering Wheels, Steering Column control modules, dash systems, Steering Gears

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

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Mechanical EngineeringFailure Mode AvoidanceDesign Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA)Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R)Process ControlAdvanced Problem-Solving (8D, 6 Sigma)Functional SpecificationsEngineering SpecificationsTest MethodsSystem Architecture

Soft Skills

Strong Leadership SkillsOral/Written Communication SkillsRelationship BuildingCollaborationInfluencing Priorities