Product Development Design and Release Engineer
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field is required; the degree must be fully completed, with an official degree certificate and professional license.
- At least 3 years of professional experience in the automotive or aerospace industry is required.
- Experience with sheet metal body structures, closures, stamping, static or dynamic sealing, gas struts or hood props, power drive units or motors, hinges, and latch systems is required.
- Proficiency in 3D computer-aided design tools such as CATIA V5/3DEXPERIENCE, Siemens NX, or equivalent is required for part modeling, surfacing, tolerance stack-up analysis, and design feasibility studies.
- Hands-on experience with in-house engineering, design, and release, as well as management of full-service supplier commodities, with on-time delivery against cost and quality targets, is required.
- The role requires effective communication across cross-functional teams, technical influence without authority, analytical thinking and problem-solving, negotiation, time management and prioritization, adaptability under ambiguity, results-driven work, global multicultural teamwork, and attention to detail with a craftsmanship focus.
- Collaborate with internal and external customers, including suppliers, manufacturing plants, and cross-functional teams, to develop cost-effective and weight-optimized component and system designs.
- Perform feasibility analyses using computer-aided design tools, including draft angle analysis, undercut detection, validation of minimum bend radius for sheet metal components, and clearance checks for manufacturing and machining requirements.
- Release engineering drawings, specifications, and 3D models that comply with Ford design standards and manufacturing capabilities.
- Support Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis and drive design robustness using problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, and Six Sigma.
- Coordinate with manufacturing, tooling, and quality teams to resolve design and process issues throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Manage engineering changes and ensure timely release of documentation in Ford product lifecycle management systems, including Teamcenter and GPDS.
- Track program timing, milestones, and deliverables in alignment with Ford's Global Product Development System.
- Participate in design reviews, prototype builds, and validation testing to confirm design intent and functional requirements.
- Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and corporate design standards.
- Experience with hinged closures is preferred.
- At least 3 years of experience with front closure systems for forward-model vehicles, including direct ownership of part engineering, system engineering, and part release to meet cost, weight, quality, functional performance, studio appearance, craftsmanship, test validation, manufacturing feasibility, and launch timing requirements, such as hoods, front doors, fenders, front-end structures, latches, and hinges.
- Experience interfacing with a design studio to resolve design issues related to exterior front closure systems.
- Experience leading peers through design reviews to resolve part-to-part interface issues and deliver a successful system.
- Experience solving current-model quality issues and implementing corrective actions.
- Ability to use and demonstrate systems engineering disciplines and Design for Manufacturing principles to proactively solve issues.
- Knowledge of craftsmanship expectations, benchmarking, and futuring.
- Knowledge of automotive exterior components, including materials and manufacturing technologies such as stamping, injection molding, extrusion, forging, casting, welding, and riveting.
- Working knowledge of computer-aided engineering tools and methods, including finite element analysis and structural or durability simulation, to interpret analysis results and support design optimization decisions.
About the company
Ford Motor Company designs and builds vehicles for individual drivers and commercial fleets worldwide, spanning Ford trucks and SUVs and Lincoln luxury models. Its Mustang sports car and Bronco off-road vehicles sit alongside gasoline, hybrid and electric products. The company sells vehicles, parts and accessories through dealers, while Ford Pro combines commercial vehicles with fleet software, charging and maintenance services; Ford Credit earns money from customer and dealer financing and leases. Connected services add subscriptions for vehicle features and business operations. Founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the company is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Dearborn, Michigan
Founded
1903
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Hybrid demand supports product teams: October 2026 results showed Maverick Hybrid's third-quarter sales rose 59.6%.
- Development has funding: Ford's US salaried education program reimburses eligible tuition up to $6,000 yearly.
- Profit expectations improved: July 2026 guidance raised Ford's annual adjusted earnings before interest and taxes to $10-$11 billion.
What critics are saying
- Production depends on suppliers: Ford's October 2026 update confirmed a September supplier issue disrupted F-150 output.
- Expect limited remote work: Ford's US salaried guide specifies four onsite days weekly for most salaried staff.
- Ford's EV losses drain earnings: July 2026 results showed a $919 million second-quarter loss before interest and taxes.
What makes Ford Motor Company unique
- The founding family retains influence: Ford's Class B shares carry 40% of shareholder voting power.
- Fleet software reaches beyond its vehicles: Ford Pro Telematics tracks non-Ford vehicles through approved plug-in devices.
- Truck leadership is entrenched: December 2025 reporting marked F-Series' 49th consecutive year as America's bestselling truck.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Remote Work Options
Paid Parental Leave
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Tuition Reimbursement
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation
Company News
Four blue chip companies, UPS, Pfizer, Kraft Heinz, and Ford, may struggle to sustain their dividends, according to an analysis of their earnings, cash flow, and debt. UPS yields 7.02% and pays out about 121% of its GAAP earnings. Pfizer yields 6.10%, with a GAAP payout ratio of about 226%; its 2025 free cash flow of $9.076 billion fell short of $9.771 billion in dividends. Kraft Heinz yields 6.82%, but its trailing GAAP earnings per share are −$2.88 after $7.4 billion in impairments. Ford yields 4.98% after an $8.162 billion loss in 2025, and its debt-to-equity ratio is 4.66. All four companies say their payouts are safe, and each points to adjusted earnings guidance that covers the dividend.
myKaarma has launched AI Lead Management solutions for Ford and Lincoln dealerships, expanding its service operations role with both brands. The technology connects four workflow stages: answering calls, diagnosing issues, scheduling appointments, and following up with customers. The system's ServiceConcierge AI assistant handles calls and scheduling 24/7, booking over 20% of monthly appointments and saving dealerships more than 25 hours monthly. Service Pre-Diag interviews customers about vehicle concerns before arrival, whilst ServiceConnect automates follow-up communications. The platform reduces booking time by nearly 50%, with average appointments scheduled in under 90 seconds. myKaarma is already an approved technology provider for Ford and Lincoln dealerships and recently became a Service Lane Technology partner for Stellantis' Mopar Service Gateway.
Seven major S&P 500 companies with market capitalizations exceeding $20 billion need to rally at least 200% to reach their previous all-time highs, according to Bespoke. The struggling firms include PG&E, PayPal, Ford, Nike, Las Vegas Sands, Zoetis, and Crown Castle. Nike has experienced particularly poor performance, with the company's stock trading at record lows and its dividend yield approaching 5%. Recent quarterly results showed Nike Brand sales fell 4%, online sales dropped 13%, Converse sales declined 28%, and China sales crashed 26%. CEO Elliott Hill indicated that weakness in the sportswear market would persist. PayPal faces intense competition in the payments sector. New CEO Enrique Lores reportedly declined a buyout offer from Stripe and will focus on cost reductions and improving customer experience.
Ford CEO Jim Farley warned on 29 September that it is "too late" for Europe to fend off Chinese automakers, though America still has time to act carefully. Chinese brands captured nearly 12% of Europe's new-car sales in August, largely through plug-in hybrids that escaped 2024 tariffs on battery-electric vehicles. Farley's warning comes as Ford partners with Geely to build electric SUVs at Ford's Valencia plant starting in 2028. Ford will own two-thirds of the venture. The arrangement mirrors a framework Farley reportedly raised with Trump officials in January, allowing Chinese carmakers to build in the US only through American-controlled joint ventures. Chinese EVs sell for 21% less than rivals in Europe despite tariffs. BYD's Seagull retails for roughly $10,000 in China.
Ford and JPMorganChase have launched Michigan LIFT, a platform connecting manufacturers with innovative suppliers and capital to expand domestic production. Over the next decade, Ford aims to award up to $1 billion in contracts to participating suppliers, while JPMorganChase plans to provide up to $1 billion in debt financing. The initiative includes Michigan Central, Newlab, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which aspire to attract 10 to 20 additional industrial buyers representing over $1 billion in annual demand by 2036. Michigan Central will provide physical testing infrastructure across its 30-acre Detroit innovation district, whilst Newlab aims to contribute $20 million in commercialisation services. The platform initially focuses on five areas: robotics, advanced energy, mobility, critical minerals, and life sciences manufacturing.