Mechatronic Subsystems Engineer - Access & Locking

If you possess exceptional business acumen and the ability to see the forest AND the trees, you can make the most of your unique insight and expertise as part of Ford’s Global Strategy team. We provide the thought leadership that helps advance Ford’s strategic objectives. We translate information into action as we apply in-depth knowledge to enable timely decisions and responsible allocation of enterprise resources.

In this position...
You will be part of a newly formed team that will execute cross-domain Mechatronics Subsystem integration across all vehicle programs. You will be laser-focused on bridging the gap between Electronics, Mechanical Hardware (VHE), Features, Controls & Software (CVS) and others, acting as the central integration lead to ensure flawless physical-to-electrical execution.
While the Mechatronics Core Team works in the background to design enterprise standards, mathematical models, and templates, your role as an Application Engineer is to execute these frameworks on active vehicle programs. You will take those foundational tools and apply them directly to specific vehicle launches. This role will focus on owning specific mechatronic subsystems (e.g., Closures, Windows, Seats, Climate, or Access) and intercepting feature intent before component design begins. The team will manage the physical-to-electrical transfer functions, ensuring that software algorithms perfectly synchronize with the physical realities of mechanical hardware (torque, thermal limits, kinematics).

You will demonstrate a passion for changing Ford’s approach to systems engineering—shifting from isolated component delivery to holistic, synchronized mechatronic subsystem execution. You will be paving a new road for how Ford Motor Company eliminates late-stage build failures and delivers flawless customer experiences.

Why This Role is Critical…

• Eliminates late-stage vehicle build failures driven by poor cross-domain alignment
• Enables true software-hardware co-development
• Drives Ford’s transition to subsystem-based engineering execution
• Improves first-time quality at launch

What You’ll Do…

• Lead Subsystem-Level Execution: Take the standardized templates, math models, and engineering frameworks developed by the Mechatronics Core team and apply them to your specific vehicle program to ensure the subsystem performs flawlessly on the assembly line.
• Drive the new working interaction model by ingesting Feature level or system level requests and decomposing them into synchronized mechanical, electrical, and software requirements.
• Interface with Feature, System, VHE (Hardware), and CVS (Software) teams ensuring system-level performance and timing are physically achievable before code is written or parts are tooled.
• Coordinate cross-functionally to take Core templates and develop program-specific Subsystem Boundary Diagrams, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and Subsystem Electrical Block Diagrams for your assigned domain.
• Be part of the solution to deliver exceptional experiences by leading active vehicle build issue triage (Breadboard, HIL, and plant floor). You will investigate data logs, identify root causes, and define real-time containment plans for complex cross-domain failures.
• Partner with software and hardware teams to perfectly align Agile software sprints (Jira) with Waterfall mechanical hardware timelines (GPDS), ensuring code is ready when physical parts arrive.
• Hold the standard with partnering D&R teams to subsystem timelines, risk mitigation plans, and integration readiness to ensure on-time and on-target delivery prior to key program milestones (e.g., FDJ).
• Drive the cross-skill team delivery with the use of design guardrails—preventing direct Feature-to-Electronic DR handoffs and ensuring strict traceability from feature intent down to component execution.
• Navigate challenges related to vehicle development that impact cross-domain integration, including catalyzing and supporting the resolution of 14Ds, CCRGs, and PACs.
• Develop complete plans for Subsystem-level Verification and Sign-off across current and future vehicle programs.
• Accountable for end-to-end subsystem integration readiness, including performance, issue resolution, and launch timing commitments.

Key Deliverables:

• Subsystem Boundary Diagrams (program-specific)
• Interface Control Documents (ICDs) with validated signals and constraints
• Physical-to-electrical transfer function models
• Integration readiness reviews aligned to GPDS milestones
• Root cause + containment plans for cross-domain issues
• Subsystem verification & sign-off plans

You'll have...

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years' experience delivering products, systems, or features from conception to launch.
• 3+ years' of demonstrable experience with positive teamwork ethics and the ability to collaborate across competing engineering domains.
• 3 years' of demonstrated capability of working in a cross-functional team environment.
• Even better, you may have...
• Master’s degree in Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years’ automotive access, locking and authentication subsystems experience.
• Experience bridging the gap between physical hardware limitations and software controls (Mechatronics).
• Experience with Ford Global Product Development System (GPDS) deliverables and timing.
• Proficiency in JIRA, FEDE and JAMA, with technical experience using VSEM, Boundary Diagrams, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Experience with in-vehicle architectures, network communications (CAN, LIN, Ethernet), and their constraints/complexity.
• Experience with Component Design and Release (D&R), program management and planning, business strategy, and product coordination.
• Experience with risk management techniques, 8D/14D problem-solving, and active vehicle build triage (Breadboard, HIL, plant floor).
• Hands-on experience with physical-to-electrical modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Mathcad).
• Prior experience acting as a Systems Engineer, Subsystem Lead, or Integration/Test Engineer on a major vehicle program.
• Demonstrated mindset of Continuous Improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

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 7-8 and ranges from $84,480 - $152,120.00 - 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.

Internal applicants: moving into this role may result in an adjustment to your current compensation based on the posted pay range for this role, taking into consideration your qualifications and other relevant factors.

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 with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid    #LI-KD1