Product Development Engineer – Engine Components

Ford Motor Company

📍Dearborn, MI
Posted May 21, 2026

Job Overview

Position

Product Development Engineer – Engine Components

Company

Ford Motor Company

Location

Dearborn, MI

Work Type

On-site

Job ID

li-4417798490

Job Description

Job Description
We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Product Development
uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

In this position...
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Component Engineering Leader to drive the design, development, and release of base engine components for the 6.7L diesel engine program. This role is responsible for the full lifecycle of critical base engine subsystems from initial concept and program assumptions through final production sign-off.

As a key technical leader, the candidate will coordinate cross-functional component interactions, interface with vehicle program teams, and ensure system integration meets performance, durability, and quality targets. Responsibilities and specific subsystem ownership will align with the candidate’s expertise and team needs while supporting upcoming model year programs.

Responsibilities
What you'll do...
Engineering Ownership & Product Development

  • Lead design, development, and release of base engine components, ensuring alignment with performance, cost, weight, and functional targets

  • Drive forward model product development, including concept definition, system architecture, and pre-program planning

  • Manage engineering changes, drawing releases, and WERS coordination (alerts, notices, concerns)

Program Leadership & CPMT Execution

  • Serve as CPMT Lead, owning subsystem delivery, cross-functional alignment, and achievement of program milestones

  • Lead and support key program forums (EPMT, DPMT, design reviews, change control)

  • Develop and execute DVP&R, including validation planning, testing, analysis, and formal sign-off

  • Support robust engineering validation to ensure durability, performance, and compliance

Systems Integration & Supplier Collaboration

  • Lead cross-functional integration with calibration, purchasing, suppliers, and manufacturing to ensure system compatibility and vehicle readiness

  • Serve as primary technical interface with suppliers and STA, ensuring design feasibility, timing, and manufacturability

  • Coordinate prototype builds and manage vehicle integration, including Engine-as-Shipped and Engine-as-Installed releases

Quality, Launch & Continuous Improvement

  • Drive resolution of design, manufacturing, and launch issues using structured problem-solving

  • Develop and maintain quality and CPMT documentation (DFMEA, PPAP, PSW, ESOW, etc.)

  • Lead engine and powerpack quality metrics and ensure successful launch performance

  • Support strategic initiatives, future program planning, and continuous improvement efforts across powertrain engineering

Qualifications
You'll have...
Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field

  • Minimum of 3 years of Design & Release (D&R) experience within an engineering or product development environment

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, lead technical discussions, and effectively present to leadership

  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex supplier relationships in a fast-paced environment

  • Strong program management and execution skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate complex projects, and deliver results aligned with performance, timing, and cost targets

  • The D&R Engineer is expected to understand and effectively utilize product check-in/check-out processes, version control, data release, and change management within Ford’s PLM ecosystem.

Even better, if you have …
Preferred

  • Proven delivery of balanced Quality, Cost, Weight and Functional attributes for components / sub-systems.

  • Utilization of Six Sigma tools & problem-solving tools. (8D’s, 3 legged 5 Why’s, etc.)

  • Knowledge of functions and components of an internal combustion engine

  • Knowledge of GD&T / dimensional control, PPAP and APQP principals.

  • Prior experience executing effective quality documentation (i.e. FMEA’s, Control Plans, SCCAF’s, etc.)

  • Knowledge of NVH, Materials, Durability, and Manufacturing processes.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

  • 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.

This position is a salary grade 6-8 and ranges from $74,300 - $166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.

#VehicleHardwareEngineering

Interview Prep

AI-powered insights to help you prepare

Key Skills

Required:
Preferred:

Practice Questions

💡Technical Questions (3)
  • 1.Walk me through your approach to developing and executing a DVP&R for a critical base engine component on a diesel platform.
  • 2.How do you manage the engineering change process using WERS, and what is your strategy for minimizing disruption during a component release?
  • 3.When designing a new base engine component, how do you balance competing targets like performance, cost, weight, and durability?
🎯Behavioral Questions (3)
  • 1.Tell me about a time you had to lead a cross-functional team to resolve a critical manufacturing or launch issue on an engine program.
  • 2.Describe a situation where you had to manage a complex supplier relationship that was impacting your component's timing or quality.
  • 3.Give me an example of a time you had to influence stakeholders or leadership to support a technical direction you believed was right for the product.
🧩Situational Questions (2)
  • 1.You are the CPMT Lead for a 6.7L diesel engine component, and late in the program, a supplier informs you that a critical durability target cannot be met without a significant design change that will delay the launch. What do you do?
  • 2.During an engine-as-installed prototype build, you discover an interference issue between your component and an adjacent subsystem owned by another team. How do you handle this integration conflict?

Resume Keywords

Make sure these keywords appear on your resume

Design & ReleaseDVP&R6.7L DieselWERSCPMTDFMEAPPAPEngine ComponentsCross-Functional LeadershipSupplier IntegrationPowertrainProduct Development

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