Full-Time

Product Development Engineer

Pre-Program Strategy and Implementation

Posted on 8/21/2026

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company

10,001+ employees

Global automaker designing, manufacturing, financing vehicles

Compensation Overview

$65.1k - $166.2k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

Livonia, MI, USA

Hybrid

Hybrid role requiring on-site work four or more days per week.

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Microsoft Office
Version Control

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Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering or a related field is required.
  • At least 3 years of transmission or power unit development experience is required.
  • Experience with powertrain manufacturing during early development is preferred.
  • Experience with powertrain planning is preferred.
  • Clear communication skills and motivation to exceed expectations in a constantly changing product landscape are preferred.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools is preferred.
Responsibilities
  • Lead and manage new powertrain projects, including internal-combination-engine transmissions, power-split transmissions, and power units.
  • Develop strategies for using full-service suppliers versus internally manufactured products while maintaining quality, meeting vehicle requirements, and minimizing company complexity.
  • Set timelines and budgets and coordinate with planning, manufacturing, supply chain, and product development teams to evaluate in-house versus externally purchased units.
  • Own the system lifecycle from concept through release, ensuring integration and adherence to vehicle targets.
  • Develop new powertrain architectures from product concepts through full-scale production, emphasizing quality, cost, weight, and functional performance.
  • Manage product-release computer-aided design and bill-of-materials structures, including assembly positioning and mass-attribute analysis.
  • Facilitate supplier data integration and develop computer-aided design studies to support and drive design improvements.
  • Use product check-in/check-out processes, version control, data release, and change management within Ford's product lifecycle management ecosystem.
  • Perform feasibility analyses using computer-aided design tools, including draft-angle analysis, undercut detection, minimum bend-radius validation for sheet metal, and clearance checks for manufacturing and machining requirements.
  • Launch new powertrain architectures through the unit approval process and obtain investment approvals for next-generation powertrains.
  • Develop strategies balancing complexity and carryover content.
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance program execution, quality, and speed.
  • Conduct upfront manufacturing studies and make-or-buy business cases.
  • Work with manufacturing plants to deliver content matching manufacturing footprint allocations.
  • Establish cost targets aligned with program targets and content.
  • Work with purchasing and suppliers to deliver high-quality component designs optimized for cost, weight, and function.
  • Navigate through GPDS program gateways and deliverables, including design, sourcing, and prototypes.
  • Interface with cross-functional teams through project management.
  • Provide cost and timing estimates and review actuals for externally purchased versus internally built units.
  • Maintain deliverable lists for each new-product milestone.
  • Support engineering change-control activities and global coordination.
  • Support program deliverable assessments, monitor and track issues to closure, and engage with plant-floor activity from start to finish.
  • Support updates and publishing of program review decks.
  • Update cost-tracking documents and program checkbooks.
  • Drive development of advanced propulsion solutions, stay current on trends, and contribute to technology roadmaps.

Ford Motor Company designs, manufactures, markets, and services a full line of vehicles including Ford trucks, SUVs, cars, electric vehicles (EVs), and Lincoln luxury vehicles. It operates in two main business segments: Ford Blue for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and Ford Model e for electric vehicles, with financing and leasing provided by Ford Credit. Its products work by selling vehicles and offering parts and services, while consumers and fleets may finance or lease purchases. The company differentiates itself through its dual-portfolio strategy (ICE and EVs), a large North American core market, and a growing emphasis on electrification, connectivity, and autonomous driving technology, plus an in-house financing arm. Ford’s goal is to become a leader in the electric vehicle market and to expand its capabilities in electrification, connectivity, and autonomous mobility on a global scale.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Dearborn, Michigan

Founded

1903

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Ford raised 2026 adjusted EBIT guidance to $10 billion-$11 billion on July 28, 2026.
  • June 2026 F-Series output hit the highest level since August, easing supply constraints.
  • Ford and Unifor ratified a three-year Canadian labor deal on July 20, 2026.

What critics are saying

  • Ford booked $4.2 billion in special charges in Q2 2026, including EV cancellations.
  • NHTSA recalls in February, April, and June 2026 signal persistent quality-control failures.
  • China tariffs still hit Lincoln Nautilus; Ford's U.S. China-production shift starts only in 2030.

What makes Ford Motor Company unique

  • Ford Pro still generated $1.7 billion EBIT in Q2 2026, proving fleet monetization.
  • Apple Maps will power Ford's UEV platform in 2027, deepening software integration.
  • BlueCruise road-level data from Apple and Latitude AI targets ramp-to-ramp autonomy by 2028.

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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

Yahoo Finance
Aug 13th, 2026
Ford ends Lincoln production in China for US export as GM reportedly drops Chevrolet sales there

Ford announced it will end production of Lincoln vehicles in China for export to the US, whilst General Motors is reportedly ceasing sales of its Chevrolet brand in China. Ford will expand Lincoln production in the US, where it currently manufactures the luxury brand in Louisville and Chicago. The moves reflect American automakers' retreat from China as local rivals like BYD and Geely expand globally. Chinese manufacturers have been engaged in aggressive price competition, leveraging excess production capacity to undercut competitors worldwide. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers are exploring routes into the US market, likely through North American production rather than direct exports. However, a Trump administration report criticising Mexico as one of "China's biggest enablers" could complicate Mexican manufacturing plans.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 4th, 2026
GM cuts EV losses by $500M as restructuring drives North American margins to 8.6%

General Motors is outpacing Ford in the electric vehicle race, according to recent analysis. GM's market capitalisation stands at $77.9 billion, with a portfolio including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick brands. The company's strategy focuses on profitability over rapid production scaling. GM has incurred $10.9 billion in EV-related charges since the second half of 2025 whilst restructuring operations. The approach is yielding results. North American adjusted EBIT grew 40% year-over-year to $3.4 billion, with margins improving to 8.6%. In the first half of 2026, GM generated $92 billion in revenue and $6.3 billion in adjusted automotive free cash flow. GM expects EV losses to improve by $1 billion to $1.5 billion this year, having already realised roughly $500 million of that improvement.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 31st, 2026
Ford CEO backs USMCA overhaul to compete with Japan, South Korea

Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley has endorsed renewing the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, calling it "critical" for competing with Japanese and South Korean automakers. During the company's second-quarter 2026 earnings call, Farley said Ford has had "really good" conversations with the Trump administration, including US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, as well as officials from Ottawa and Mexico City. Farley stated Ford would support revising the USMCA "as long as it allows the promotion of more competitive US auto sector". He highlighted Ford's manufacturing operations in Oakville, Ontario, as crucial for the automaker's future. Ford reported second-quarter revenue of $44.89 billion, missing the market consensus of $45.81 billion. The company raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EBIT guidance to $10 billion to $11 billion, up from prior guidance of $8.5 billion to $10.5 billion.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 29th, 2026
GM raises guidance twice in 2025, EBIT margin hits 5.78% vs Ford's 2.81%

General Motors and Ford both surpassed second-quarter earnings expectations, demonstrating resilience amid tariffs, slowing EV demand, and high interest rates. GM shares have surged 18% this month, whilst Ford is up 11%. GM reported Q2 revenue of $48.02 billion, up nearly 2% year-over-year and exceeding estimates by 3%. Adjusted earnings per share of $3.57 jumped 41% and beat expectations of $3.13. The company raised its full-year guidance for the second time, lifting adjusted EBIT outlook to $14 billion–$16 billion and earnings per share guidance to $12–$14. GM's North America operations delivered an 8.6% adjusted EBIT margin, driven by strong truck and SUV demand and improving EV profitability. The company's trailing 12-month EBIT margin stands at 5.78%, significantly above Ford and the industry average of 2.81%.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 29th, 2026
Citi lifts Ford target to $20 after F-Series output hits highest level since August

Citigroup has upgraded Ford Motor to Buy and raised its price target to $20 from $19, citing improving F-Series production and easing supply constraints. The new target implies roughly 34% upside from Tuesday's close of $14.96. Ford recently reported second-quarter revenue of $48.3 billion and adjusted EBIT of $2.5 billion, up $400 million year-over-year. The company raised its full-year adjusted EBIT guidance to $10 billion to $11 billion from $8.5 billion to $10.5 billion. Citi analyst Michael Ward noted that June F-Series output reached its highest level since August. The bank increased its 2026-through-2028 earnings estimates, pointing to accelerating truck production, lower warranty accruals, improved aluminium supply, and moderating material costs as positive factors for the second half.