Suspension PD Engineer

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...

Design and Release (D&R) Engineer position responsible for the end-to-end mechanical design, development, and production release of Leaf Spring systems for Ford vehicles. This role ensures that leaf spring components meet all functional, weight, cost, and quality requirements through the Global Product Development System (GPDS) cycle.

What you'll do...

• Lead the design, development, and release of leaf spring components and assemblies (including multi-leaf, mono-leaf, and composite applications).
• Own the engineering release process, including CAD data management in Teamcenter and releasing components via WERS.
• Manage multiple suppliers and support Supplier Technical Assistance engineers in delivering production parts with quality. This would entail on site visits with the suppliers to review their processes.
• Develop and maintain leaf spring engineering specifications, design rules, and foundation documents (RQTs).
• Lead technical design reviews with the Spring System Technical Expert and Component Supervisors.
• Responsible for component-level signoff and ensuring all DV/PV (Design/Performance Verification) testing is completed on schedule.
• Create and maintain leaf spring FMA (Failure Mode Analysis) documentation, including DFMEAs and SCCAFs.
• Lead root-cause analysis and problem-solving for leaf spring issues related to Launch, Quality/Field (TGW), and durability testing.
• Engage with Chassis Architecture, Chassis Systems Engineering, Vehicle Engineering (Vehicle Dynamics and NVH), Vehicle Evaluation and Verification, Vehicle Operations, and the Plant Vehicle Team to deliver robust suspension components and systems to final production that meet vehicle level performance requirements.
• Conduct manufacturing process reviews (forming, heat treatment, shot peening, and assembly) with suppliers to ensure design for manufacturability.
• Perform benchmarking studies to optimize leaf spring mass and cost for future vehicle programs.
• Manage interfaces with boundary components, including shackles, bushings, axle attachments, U-bolts, and frame interfaces.
• Utilize and maintain the leaf spring clearance calculator to ensure package integrity throughout the suspension travel.
• Leverage CAE modeling results to optimize leaf spring leaf thickness, taper, and stress distribution.
• Execute strategies for new technologies, specifically focusing on composite leaf springs 

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 childcare 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 5 and ranges from $65,100-$109,300

This position is a salary grade 6 and ranges from $74,300-$124,500

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86,600-$144,900

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$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. 

#LI-JF1 #LI-Hybrid

You'll have...

• BS in Engineering Required
• Proven experience in Component Engineering or Design and Release, specifically within suspension systems or chassis components.
• Direct experience with Leaf Spring design, including knowledge of material properties, fatigue life, and rate linearity.
• Proficiency in creating and managing DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, and 2D drawings with GD&T.
• Understanding of GPDS deliverables and milestones.
• Familiarity with CAE tools and the ability to interpret stress and fatigue analysis.
• Knowledge of supplier manufacturing processes for spring steel and/or composites.
• Strong analytical and math skills related to joint design and spring rate calculations.

Even better, you may have...

• BS in Mechanical Engineering 
• Position requires occasional travel to assembly plants and supplier manufacturing sites to support launch, process development, and issue resolution.
• Working knowledge of Ford engineering tools: Teamcenter, WERS, and the "buck" (digital packaging) environment.
• Travel may be significant during peak launch phases.
• On-site support for collaboration is required, targeting a minimum of 4 days per week.

• This position works closely with the Spring System Technical Expert to ensure global alignment on best practices and lessons learned.

• Self-starter with the ability to manage complex tasks under compressed program timing.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Senior Leadership.