Restrains Engineer

The Restraints Quality D&R Engineer is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of occupant protection components—such as airbags (driver, passenger, side, curtain, knee), seatbelts, steering columns, and crash sensors. This role ensures that these safety-critical systems not only meet rigorous design intent and functional requirements but also adhere to the highest quality standards throughout the Global Product Development System (GPDS) cycle.

Key Responsibilities

1. Component Design and Releasing

• System Ownership: Lead the design, development, and release of restraint components using Ford’s internal systems (e.g., WERS - Worldwide Engineering Release System).
• Milestone Management: Manage deliverables through the GPDS landscape, ensuring all engineering signs-offs (e.g., FEC, LoC) are completed on time for vehicle launches.
• CAD & Packaging: Collaborate with Studio and Body Engineering to ensure restraint components are packaged correctly within the vehicle interior while maintaining deployment clearance and ergonomic requirements.

2. Quality and Robustness

• Preventative Quality: Lead the development of DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) to identify and mitigate risks early in the design phase.
• SCCAF Management: Identify and manage Significant/Critical Characteristics (CC/SC) to ensure supplier manufacturing processes remain capable of producing parts to specification.
• Problem Solving: Utilize Ford’s G8D (Global 8 Discipline) process and Six Sigma methodologies to resolve complex technical issues, whether they occur during prototype builds or in the field.

3. Validation and Compliance

• Regulatory Alignment: Ensure all components comply with global safety regulations, including FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards), ECE, and CNCAP requirements.
• Testing Oversight: Define and execute Design Verification (DV) and Production Validation (PV) plans. This includes overseeing component-level testing (e.g., deployment at temperature extremes, environmental aging) and supporting full-vehicle crash testing.
• Data Analysis: Interpret sled test and crash test data to refine component performance and ensure occupant injury criteria are met.

• 4. Supplier and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Supplier Management: Act as the primary technical point of contact for Tier 1 safety suppliers (e.g., Autoliv, ZF, Joyson). Monitor supplier APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) progress and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) readiness.
• Plant Support: Provide on-site engineering support at Ford Assembly Plants (Vehicle Operations) during Pre-Program (TT, PP, MP1) builds to resolve fit-and-finish or assembly-related issues.

Required Technical Competencies

• Safety Standards: Deep understanding of FMVSS 208 (Occupant Crash Protection) and FMVSS 214 (Side Impact Protection).
• Ford Systems: Proficiency in WERS, GPDS, and FEDE
• Engineering Tools: Familiarity with Teamcenter (Vismockup) for packaging and CAD review.
• Quality Tools: Mastery of APQP, PPAP, SPC (Statistical Process Control), and Robustness Linkage.

Professional Attributes

• Precision-Oriented: Given the "zero-fail" nature of restraint systems, an uncompromising attention to detail is essential.
• Collaborative: Ability to influence cross-functional teams, including Crash Safety, Interior Trim, Body-in-White, and Purchasing.
• Resilient: Capable of managing high-pressure situations, particularly during the launch phase where rapid problem-solving is required to prevent production downtime.
  
  
  DISCLAIMER:
  Ford Motor Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, as we are committed with a diverse workforce, and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran and basis of disability.