Mechatronics Systems Engineer

Job ID: 71048
Location: Dearborn, Michigan
Category: PD Operations and Quality

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At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.

Job Type: Full time
Work Type: Hybrid

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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!

In this position...

We are seeking a highly capable and rigorous Core Architect to serve as the senior technical lead and primary authority for mechatronic feature definition, from initial concept definition through logical requirements handoff, and as the accountable Core SE representative through cross-validation, system/subsystem sign-off, and physical prototype direction.

In this role, you will own the front end of the feature lifecycle — driving stakeholder and use-case elicitation, system architecture and behavior definition, functional safety/DFMEA analysis, and formal requirements development — while engaging with a Modeling Engineer and Testing Engineer to execute the modeling, simulation, and verification/validation work needed to bring the feature to a fully signed-off, physically realized system.

What you'll do...

Feature IntakeGate: Lead completion and submission of the conceptual intake form (Impacted Teams, Business Case, Scoping) on behalf of the requesting program, and drive the feature through the applicable gate reviews to secure formal Feature Owner assignment.
Concept of Operations: Engage program, customer experience, and vehicle architecture stakeholders to define problem statements, identify and map stakeholders, define lifecycle contexts, elicit INCOSE/EARS-compliant needs, collect use cases, and establish measurable success criteria (MoE/MoP), driving stakeholder validation and sign-off.
System ArchitectureDefinition: Define system boundary, external interfaces, internal architecture (plant vs. controller partitioning), behavioral models (e.g., state machines), and interface specifications, establishing full structure-behavior-interface-use case traceability.
System AnalysisRequirements Engineering: Lead system-level analyses (functional safety, DFMEA prioritized by severity, cybersecurity/physical safety as applicable), define prevention controls for critical failure modes, and formalize INCOSE/EARS-compliant system requirements with full traceability and defined verification methods.
Requirements ValidationHandoff: Validate that requirements satisfy stakeholder needs and MoE/MoP thresholds, resolve gaps via iteration, and finalize and formally transmit the logical requirements package to the Mechatronics application team, establishing the ongoing support channel for cascade-phase clarifications.
Cross-ValidationSign-off: Lead the functional safety-to-DFMEA cross-validation checkpoint, ensuring every hazard and high-severity failure mode is reconciled with a control or documented rationale, and serve as the primary Core SE stakeholder in joint system/subsystem sign-off with the Mechatronics team.
Physical Realization Oversight: Engage in the proposition of the physical prototype strategy (mockup, fixture, 3D print, or hybrid) and approve builds against signed-off design intent, and provide technical guidance during test plan development and execution, reviewing failed/at-risk requirement dispositions that affect sign-off validity.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as the technical authority and escalation point for architecture, requirements, and DFMEA decisions; direct and prioritize modeling and testing support requests to the Modeling Engineer and Testing Engineer; and represent Core SE at design reviews, program gateways, sign-off boards, and DFMEA workshops.

You'll have...

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related technical field.
5+ years of proven experience in systems engineering, systems architecture, or mechatronic systems engineering within automotive or a related industry, including ownership of requirements definition and sign-off decisions.
Demonstrated expertise in the systems engineering lifecycle: stakeholder/use-case elicitation (INCOSE/EARS), Concept of Operations, system architecture/structure-behavior-interface definition, and requirements traceability.
Strong experience with functional safety analysis and DFMEA, including cross-validation of safety hazards against design failure modes.
Hands-on proficiency with SysML and CATIA V6 for system/architecture modeling.
Working familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink modeling concepts sufficient to direct and review modeling work performed by supporting engineers.
Exceptional analytical thinking and the ability to effectively negotiate and drive cross-functional trade-offs and sign-off decisions.

Even better, if you have …

Preferred

Master's degree in Systems Engineering or a related field.
INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional Certification (ASEP/CSEP) or OMG SysML Certification.
Experience with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262) and ASPICE processes.
Experience directing physical prototype strategy (mockups, fixtures, rapid prototyping) and DVP&R-style test planning.
Prior experience as a technical lead, chief/core architect, or systems engineering lead on electromechanical or mechatronic vehicle systems.
Familiarity with HIL/SIL environments (dSPACE, CANoe/CANalyzer) and requirements management tools (e.g., Jama, JIRA).

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 $84,600 - $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.

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Change the world with your ideas.

Speak up. We’re listening. At Ford, we believe the right ideas, and the people behind them, can move an entire industry. Here, you'll work with teams who value your voice, push bold ideas forward, and leave a mark that lasts.

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Support designed to go the distance.

From day one, Ford invests in you with medical benefits built to help you plan for what’s next. You’ll also get support for you and your family that meets you at every step, so you can move forward with confidence.

Health and Wellness

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, mental health, and unique wellness perks keep you and your family supported every step of the way.
Financial and Retirement Programs

Build a strong financial future with robust retirement contributions, savings programs, and free personalized financial planning tools.
Flexible Vacation and Holidays

Enjoy your time away from work with generous vacation, holidays, and flexible family leave designed to help you balance life and work with ease.
Vehicle Discount Program

The best thing about building great products is driving them! The second-best thing: sharing your discount with family and friends so they can drive them, too.
Family Growth and Support

Grow your family confidently with fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance, paid parental leave, and a supportive new-parent ramp-up program.
Additional Programs

Enjoy unexpected extras like pet insurance, legal services, identity protection, and access to convenient health and wellness services.

Ford gives me the space to innovate, to lead, and to serve — all while staying true to who I am as an engineer, educator, and parent. It’s not just a career; it’s a community that drives change.

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Mechatronics Systems Engineer

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Change the world with your ideas.

Support designed to go the distance.

Health and Wellness

Financial and Retirement Programs

Flexible Vacation and Holidays

Vehicle Discount Program

Family Growth and Support

Additional Programs

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