Product Manager

The Vehicle Engineering Transformation (VET) team is responsible for leading the digital manufacturing strategy and optimizing the software ecosystem used to deliver programs and manage change at the plant. Acting as the bridge between engineering requirements and software development, we oversee the full product lifecycle—from requirements gathering and solution alignment to development prioritization.

In this high-impact role, you will serve as a Senior Product Manager and Lead Release Train Engineer (RTE). You will operationalize Ford’s modernization strategy by orchestrating 15+ Product Teams focused on VET infrastructure and release management. You will be the primary driver for aligning cross-functional teams, removing systemic impediments, and ensuring the predictable delivery of software solutions to our global workforce. Drive the modernization of Ford’s digital engineering ecosystem by spearheading Tech Refresh initiatives that transition legacy infrastructure to Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization (OSV) across a global footprint of 100+ servers.

• Release Train Leadership: Lead the Agile Release Train (ART) as the Lead RTE for 15+ IT Product Teams. Facilitate PI Planning, System Demos, and Workshops to ensure strategic roadmaps align with manufacturing objectives.

• Strategic Deployment: Partner with Software Requirements and Program Management to architect and execute the global rollout strategy for digital tools (Teamcenter, NX) across manufacturing clients.

• Infrastructure Modernization: Drive the end-to-end lifecycle of the VET environment. This includes leading the strategic migration from legacy VMware environments to Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization (OSV).

• Operational Excellence: Maintain the stability and performance of the VET application suite. Manage provisioning, proactive monitoring, and cost optimization while leading Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to ensure zero-downtime migrations and high availability.

• Stakeholder Orchestration: Serve as the primary liaison between software engineering and manufacturing stakeholders. Translate complex technical constraints into clear business impacts and status updates.

• Risk & Quality Governance: Manage the critical path for global releases. Lead defect review boards, enforce code-freeze protocols, and implement mitigation strategies to protect the integrity of the production environment.

You’ll have...

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

• 8+ years of experience in Platform/Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Operations, specifically with Siemens Teamcenter.

• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment.

• Proven experience leading technical delivery teams and managing large-scale server infrastructure.

• Expert-level proficiency in Jira or Rally for backlog management, capacity planning, and program-level reporting. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to translate technical constraints into business impacts

Even better, you may have...

• Advanced degree in Engineering (e.g., Manufacturing Engineering or Master’s in Engineering).

• Knowledge of Ford-specific software systems: FEDE, C3PNG, ServiceNow

• SAFe or Agile Certification (e.g., Certified Scrum Master).

• Experience with Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization (OSV) 

• Demonstrated success in implementing Lean principles.

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, and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care 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.

For a detailed look at our benefits, click here: Benefit Summary 

This position is a salary grade 8. 

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $115,000-$192,900.

*Visa Sponsorship is not provided for this role*

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 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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