Systems Engineer - Seat Structures

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. We also believe in providing you with the freedom to define and realize your dreams! With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career potential as you help us define tomorrow’s transportation.​

Ford’s Advanced EV Team is responsible for developing the key technologies and capabilities – such as EV platforms, batteries, e-motors, inverters, charging and recycling – to create ground-up breakthrough electric vehicles. By joining the best software, engineering, design and UX talent, you will be a part of creating new technologies and concepts that can be applied across the Ford enterprise. Being on the Ford Advanced EV Team means building the future as Ford’s center of innovation and growth through electric and connected vehicles and services.​
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Current Seating commodities include structures, mechanisms, actuators, cushions, wire harnesses, controllers, sensors, software, trims and so on. However, future seating solutions are not limited to these. Progression is targeted. A seat can be defined as a product which enables comfortable support for vehicular occupants. In some sense, a seat can be viewed as a moving robotic structural art piece.​
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Team members typically play dual roles as experts and polymaths. Each team member typically uses their expertise as a superpower to complement the team. You shall be part of the Seating Engineering Team which resides within Advanced EV Team.

s a Mechanical Engineer specializing in seat structures engineering, your role will involve designing, developing and engineering seat structures, structural components and systems all optimized for safety and mass efficiency, considering comfort, material selection and aesthetic appeal while maintaining a focus on quality and “design for manufacture and assembly” in a mass production environment.  

You will work cross-functionally utilizing DFSS methodologies as appropriate within the seating team and externally with complimentary teams to ensure accurate creation and placement of vehicle interfaces, seat A-surface, efficient component designs, and implementation of ergonomic and comfort analysis into our seat structure solutions. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Early-Stage Packaging Design and Optimization: 

Design and develop full structural assemblies, mechanical components and systems related to seat structure packaging within the “seat trim outline”. 

Collaborate with industrial designers, ergonomists, and other engineers to optimize the structural package for efficient use of space within the vehicle cabin. 

Conduct feasibility studies, create 3D models, and generate detailed engineering drawings using CAD software. 

Ensure compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications. 

Structural and Mechanism Design and Integration: 

Design and refinement of new seat structures, including front seat structures, and rear row structures. 

Design and integration of mechanical mechanisms for seat adjustments. 

Conduct kinematic and dynamic analyses to optimize the performance and reliability of seat mechanisms. 

Validate functionality of mechanical systems through simulations and proof of concept physical prototypes.  

Predict the system durability throughout the life cycle of the product. 

Collaborate with electrical and mechatronics engineers to ensure seamless integration of mechanical components with electronic and other control systems. 

Keep up to date with latest structural trends across the automotive seating industry, including new joining techniques, recliner and track design, new structural materials etc. 

Work closely with suppliers and tool shops to ensure structural design is manufacturable. 

Comfort and Ergonomics: 

Understand the implications of structural design into new seat design and offer structural solutions for complex comfort problems. 

Develop and optimize seat structures to support cushioning systems to enhance comfort for occupants. 

Conduct research and analysis to understand human factors and ergonomics in seating design. 

Incorporate features such as adjustable lumbar support, heating & ventilation, massage and armrests to improve seating comfort. 

Collaborate with suppliers and material experts to select appropriate materials for structural development. 

Core Seat Design and Integration: 

Close collaboration with studio team to deliver accurate A-surfaces 

Work closely with seat complete engineers to ensure softer components are well supported in all areas. 

Validation and Testing: 

Develop specifications for components or new designs where a test specification may not already exist. 

Develop test plans to validate early prototypes for performance, durability and strength of seating systems. 

Develop test plans to validate the complete seat performance across all documented specifications, legal, industrial and internal. 

Collaborate with simulation engineers to conduct virtual testing and simulations for performance optimization. 

Analyze virtual results and implement findings into product 

Collaborate with test facilities to perform physical testing, offering expertise and knowledge to assist with set up and execution of tests. 

Analyze test data, identify issues or areas for improvement, and propose design modifications. 

Documentation and Reporting: 

Create detailed engineering documentation, including specifications, design guidelines, technical reports. 

Create and track detailed DVP&R. 

Create and maintain SCCAF documentation and DFMEA and collaborate with manufacturing to transfer to PFMEA. 

Prepare and deliver technical presentations to internal teams, clients, and stakeholders. 

Stay updated with industry trends, emerging technologies within the automotive industry and the potential for incorporating non-auto ideas and products.,  

Stay updated with all regulatory, industrial, insurance and internal requirements related to automotive seating. 

Collaboration and Project Management: 

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineers, mechatronics engineers, and industrial designers, to ensure seamless integration of mechanical components with other subsystems. 

Collaborate with the program management and purchasing teams on project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure timely delivery of projects. 

Communicate effectively with internal teams, suppliers, and customers to address technical queries and ensure project success 

The minimum requirements we seek:​ 

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field 

7+ years of experience designing, developing, and releasing seating system or components. 

7+ years of experience using 3D CAD software collaboratively (Catia V5/V6, 3DX, etc.) 

Experience in the production release process 

Experience in a factory setting launching a new product​ 

Experience working with seat structure suppliers & tool shops 

Solid understanding of welding and welding techniques. 

Advanced knowledge of steel material characteristics in terms of strength, formability and joinability. 

Preferred Requirements: 

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. 

Proficiency in CAD Dassault Systems 3DX CATIA for 3D modeling and design. 

Strong knowledge of mechanical principles, materials science, and manufacturing processes. 

Familiarity with automotive industry standards and regulations. 

Experience in structural analysis and finite element analysis (FEA) is preferred. 

Understanding of ergonomics and human factors in seating design. 

Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills. 

Strong communication and teamwork abilities. 

Attention to detail and a focus on delivering high-quality solutions. 

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 and ranges from $118,700-$198,500.,

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $138,800-$232,700.  

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 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-Hybrid #LI-BB1 #UEV