Forward Model Quality Engineer – Body Exterior

Ford Motor Company

Quality Engineer driving design improvements for Body Exterior systems at Ford. Collaborating with engineering teams to ensure high quality and customer satisfaction.

Posted 7/14/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $72,480 - $121,440 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Automotive Quality and Warranty Analysis, with a strong focus on Body Exterior Component Engineering and the ability to drive cross-functional problem-solving initiatives. Proficient in utilizing quality databases and tools to enhance product integrity and customer satisfaction.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Automotive Quality/Warranty Data AnalysisBody Exterior Component EngineeringCross-Functional Problem SolvingQuality Framework AssessmentsMicrosoft Office Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Quality Database NavigationData AnalysisWarranty Trend AnalysisFunctional Warranty Roadmap DevelopmentCritical-to-Quality (CTQ) RequirementsFailure Mode Avoidance (FMA) PlanningPrevent Recurrence Actions (PRAs)Lessons Learned Portfolio DevelopmentTotal Value Management (TVM) EvaluationHigh Time in Service (HTIS) Analysis

Soft Skills

Problem-SolvingProactive Work EthicPositive AttitudeEffective CommunicationPresentation Skills

Tools & Technologies

Quality.AiJ.D. PowerQNPS/CX.AIDatacubesTeamcenterTCVis Mockup3DXMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPoint

Industry Keywords

Automotive IndustryDesign OpportunitiesCustomer SatisfactionField Service ActionsProgram Feasibility ReviewsVehicle Assembly PlantsCross-Functional TeamsProduct DevelopmentSystemic GapsQuality Feedback Loop

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Assembly

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Extract and analyze quality/warranty databases (Quality.Ai, J.D. Power, QNPS/CX.AI, Datacubes) alongside market trends (benchmarking, social media, web forums) to identify design opportunities.
Analyze current model High Time in Service (HTIS) Exterior warranty trends (R/1000) and field service actions to author robust "lessons learned" portfolios, closing the quality feedback loop for forward model planning.
Develop and maintain Exterior functional warranty and IQS roadmaps and deliver Quality Framework assessments at early milestones to secure program budgets and protect performance targets.
Partner with the Design Studio and Design Technical Office (DTO) to review exterior surfaces (using Teamcenter, TCVis Mockup, 3DX) to incorporate execution enablers that meet customer satisfaction and warranty mitigation goals.
Drive program compliance on Exterior Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) requirements, leveraging technical expertise and input from Exterior and Structural Systems Engineering Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
Act as the quality and warranty representative on vehicle program teams, driving functional delivery while supporting Program Feasibility Reviews, AAFs, VPATs, CPE DFs, and PEHF PATs.
Assess perceived quality and determine customer/warranty impact (PP/100 or R/1000) for Meets Customer Expectation / Fails Customer Expectation (MCE/FCE) issues, as well as evaluating Total Value Management (TVM) cost-reduction proposals to protect product integrity.
Lead collaborative efforts with the Forward Model Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) Team and engineering functions to develop robust FMA plans targeting new technology and chronic warranty issues.
Lead warranty-focused, cross-functional problem-solving efforts for developmental failures, launch issues, or early field concerns.
Conduct targeted audits throughout the GPDS process to assess deliverable quality, identify systemic gaps, and coordinate with Product Development (PD) to implement Prevent Recurrence Actions (PRAs).

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a similar/related technical degree.
3+ years of automotive industry experience with a specialized focus in at least one of the following areas:
- Body Exterior component engineering (D&R, Quality, or Manufacturing)
- Automotive Quality/Warranty data analysis with experience navigating quality databases and translating data into engineering actions.
Strong problem-solving skills with a track record of driving cross-functional resolution.
A proactive work ethic, positive attitude, and passion for improving product quality.
Ability to autonomously communicate, present, and defend technical quality data to cross-functional teams (Engineering, Assembly Plants, Studio, and Program Management).
Willingness to occasionally travel to vehicle assembly plants as needed.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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