Principal Architect, Industrial Systems

Job ID: 61107
Location: Dearborn, Michigan
Category: Enterprise Technology

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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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About Ford

Come help build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams …Ford Motor Company was built on the belief that freedom of movement drives human progress. It’s a belief that has fueled our passion to create great cars and trucks. And today, it drives our commitment to become the world’s most trusted mobility company, designing vehicles for a smart world that helps people move more safely, confidently, and freely. Ford is experiencing significant business transformation in an ever-changing digital world. We are dedicated to delivering distinctive products and solutions, having an “always on” relationship with customers and continuously improving our user experience.

The Team

Enterprise Technology plays a critical part in shaping the future of mobility. If you’re looking for a chance to leverage advanced technology to redefine the transportation landscape, enhance the customerexperience and improve people’s lives, this is the opportunity for you. Join us and challenge your IT expertise and analytical skills.

The Opportunity

The Principal Industrial Systems Architect provides global leadership to a team of more than 40 architects who build and manage systems across the industrial platform. They will spearhead cross-platform efforts to align the design and implementation of industrial technologies with the company’s overarching technical strategy and current industry trends. This role ensures that all industrial systems are reliable, performant, and precisely tailored to meet evolving business needs.

The Principal Architect drives alignment across all global regions and skill teams, ensuring that systems adhere to both industry and company standards. This requires close collaboration with cross-functional partners—including Infrastructure, developers, operations, and product managers—to gather requirements and ensure the platform serves the needs of all internal and external stakeholders.

This executive interfaces with teams working on advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies to ensure these innovations are integrated into the long-term roadmap. They must exercise expert judgment to determine when to utilize existing, commonly deployed technologies and when to pioneer new paths. Ultimately, they are responsible for seamlessly defining and integrating strategic roadmaps for both tool selection and broader systems architecture.

Support the development and evolution of the Industrial System’s future state vision and roadmap by providing industry perspectives

Consult on emerging technology and business process modernization opportunities that are driving digital and AI-driven transformation in manufacturing and adjacent industries

Ensure delivery of architecture artifacts in line with delivery commitments and timeline

Partner with our Enterprise Platform Engineering and Operations team to develop a strategic and proactive roadmap for technology maintenance and remediation

Support the development and execution of an accelerated portfolio rationalization plan

Support cross-functional integration and alignment for end-to-end optimization across the Industrial value stream

Build strong partnerships with and operate as an integral part of the Industrial Systems leadership team to drive and shape the transformation of the Industrial System

Lead by example regarding solution and business architecture by participating in design sessions and engineering projects

Lead a team of architects located in Dearborn, Michigan, Chennai, India, and elsewhere.

Advise on how to prioritize updates of existing systems to meet the desired new architecture

Stay aligned with key vendors and investors on new companies and technologies that should be part of our strategy going forward

Stay on top of architecture trends and be prepared to advise teams across Ford how to keep up

Ensure solutions are fully aligned to the Ford technology strategy

This role is on-site in Dearborn, Michigan. Some travel to manufacturing and logistics sites around the world is expected.

The minimum requirements we seek

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field

15+ years of progressive responsibilities in IT or an IT focused business area

5+ years of experience in a field related to manufacturing or industrial systems

Working knowledge of cloud computing, especially Google Cloud Platform

Working knowledge of edge systems and on-premises computing in a manufacturing environment

Experienced in business and solutions architecture, including selection of tools and platforms

Strong outside-in perspective on the evolution of processes and technologies across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Quality domains

Knowledge and familiarity with strategic technology platforms, including the Dassault Systems 3DExperience suite, Siemens Team Center, SAP/S4 MRP, Jira/JSM, and data centric architecture

Knowledge of IT/OT integration and edge-to-cloud infrastructure optimization

Our preferred requirements

Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field

Extensive demonstrated competency in Enterprise Architecture

Experience working in areas related to the Industrial System such as manufacturing, supply chain, product development and engineering, transportation and logistics, and other related fields

Understanding of how to apply Enterprise Architecture processes, tools, and viewpoints to a large, complex organization, and how to use EA skills to keep complexity at bay

Understanding of the special circumstances of the automotive industry

Working knowledge of AI, including traditional and generative AI, and how to apply it to real-world applications

Knowledge of “cloud native” concepts in software architecture and delivery

Working understanding of cybersecurity principles

Must be skilled at influencing leaders and workers across the company at many different levels

Must be able to think and act strategically, without constraints

Must be able to develop a team, including growing employees’ performance and maturity, recruiting, and retaining key talent.

Strong ability to “lead by influence” as an architect, to be able to “push back” to ensure alignment with architecture principles, to know when not to push back quite as hard

Strong demonstrated competencies in influencing peers and business partners

Strong communication and collaborative skills with people at all levels of the company from senior-most executives to the people on the plant floor doing the work

Ability to “thrive in ambiguity” in leading teams to select the right solutions amid a complex environment

Proven ability to work closely with management one to four levels above and below both in the business and IT

What We Can Offer

As part of the Ford family, you’ll enjoy excellent compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings and stock investment plans, incentive compensation, and much more. You’ll also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Ford is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. 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.

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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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Principal Architect, Industrial Systems

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Looking for jobs tailored to you?

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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