Product Development Engineer-Pre-Program Strategy and Implementation
Ford Motor Company· Automotive· Oct 9, 2026 · 18d ago
Livonia, MI, United States
Hybrid
Full-time
Mid
$99K–$140K est.
3+ years exp
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...
Pre-Program Strategy and Implementation Engineer will lead and manage new powertrain projects including ICE Transmissions, Power Split Transmissions, and Power Units. You will develop the new strategies when we bring on a full-service supplier vs internally made products. This will be done in the lens of maintaining quality, meeting vehicle requirements, as well as a large focus on minimizing our complexity through the company. You will set timelines, budget and coordinate with cross-functional teams in planning, manufacturing, supply chain, and product development to determine the efficiencies of an in-house vs. externally purchased unit. Will own the system's lifecycle from concept through release, ensuring seamless integration and adherence to vehicle targets.
The automotive industry is quickly moving towards a greater number of new powertrains to meet customer and market demands, many of which are new BEV and Hybrid programs. With this shift, there is an expanding need for development of new and unique powertrain architectures. Your work will span from the product concepts to full scale production, with an emphasis on quality, cost, weight, and functional performance.
What you'll do...
• Launch new powertrain architectures through the unit approval process, garnering investment approvals to lead next generation powertrains into our vehicles.
• Develop the new strategies moving forward on complexity vs carryover content.
• Develop the new strategies of moving forward with an internally built unit vs utilizing a full-service supplier to meet program requirements but also minimize complexity.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance program execution, quality and speed.
• Upfront manufacturing studies of make/buy business cases.
• Direct involvement with our manufacturing plants to deliver content that matches manufacturing footprint allocations.
• Establishment of cost targets that align with program targets and content that aligns with those targets
• Work with purchasing and suppliers to deliver high-quality component designs with best cost, weight, and function.
• Navigate through GPDS program gateways and deliverables including design, sourcing, prototype.
• Project management interfacing with cross functional teams.
• Provide estimates and review actuals for cost and timing of externally purchased vs. internally built units.
• Maintain a list of deliverables for each milestone of the new products.
• Support engineering change control activity and global coordination.
• Support program deliverable assessments, monitor and track issues to closure, engage with plant floor activity from start to finish.
• Support updates and publishing of various program review decks.
• Update indicated cost tracking documents and program checkbooks.
• Technology & Innovation: Drive development of advanced propulsion solutions, stay updated on trends, and contribute to technology roadmaps.
You'll have...
BS in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering or a related field.
3+ years of transmission or power unit development experience.
Even better, you may have...
Masters in product development or other Engineering degree.
2+ years of program management experience.
Experience developing cost studies and cost comparisons between multiple powertrain designs.
Proven delivery of balanced Quality/Cost/Weight/Function/Timing attributes for components or subsystems.
Formal Systems Engineering knowledge to solve complex problems.
Versed in BOM structure development.
Experience working with full-service suppliers.
Experience working with powertrain manufacturing on early development.
Experience working with powertrain planning.
Clear communication skills and highly motivated to exceed expectations in a constantly changing product landscape.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools.
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 5 and ranges from $65,100-$109,300.
This position is a salary grade 6 and ranges from $74,300-$124,500.
This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86,600-$144,900.
This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$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: fordcareers.co .
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 with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.
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#LI-DW1
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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!
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave