PD Academy Engineer

PD Academy is Product Development's accelerated talent development program, designed to grow the next generation of high-potential engineers. As part of the program, you will work on a real project while completing courses and training that will accelerate your professional growth.

As the Company adds more connectivity, electrification, technology, and services to Ford and Lincoln vehicles, the Vehicle Hardware Engineering (VHE) Business Operations Office plays a central role in supporting the Exterior, Interior, Underbody, Electrical/Electronics, Flexible Vehicle Architecture, Digital Transformation, Six Sigma, and Systems Integration Hardware Engineering functions. As a Product Development Analyst within PD Academy, you will support headcount and budget delivery activities for Vehicle Hardware Engineering Programs, working alongside a cross-functional group of stakeholders (Engineering Functional Teams, Vehicle Planning, Resource Planning, Finance, Supply Chain, Program Management Teams, and HR). This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate to gain hands-on exposure to program operations, resource planning, and data analysis within a global automotive organization.

What does PD Academy offer you?

• A real, impactful project — not just internship tasks or isolated assignments.
• Continuous technical training (courses and workshops) throughout the year, including exposure to program operations and resource planning processes.

• Collaborate with Engineering, Vehicle Planning, Resource Planning, Global Business Offices, and Program Teams to support the completion of Program studies on time for required milestones.
• Support the interface between Planners/Architects and Engineering, helping ensure Program Assumptions are precise, well-defined, and understood.
• Support weekly meetings with Functional Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), helping review study requirements, track PADT completion, and follow up on issues and process updates.
• Help organize Program information and supporting documentation within the Business Operations Office SharePoint.
• Support the functional resource management process and program sign-off inputs (via RMM, GPRRS Review/Approval, ITM/NGIE processes, etc.).
• Support the Investment Efficiency Team, including assisting with model updates, functional input coordination, and workshops.
• Assist in analyzing Investment Model run results and support final confirmations with Functional Engineers.
• Support coordination with Global Business Office counterparts to help ensure Program responsibilities are accounted for across required regions.
• Support VHE Special Projects and Continuous Process Improvement initiatives.
• Actively participate in PD Academy courses and training, applying what you learn to your assigned project.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree (recently completed and/or up to 1 year of verifiable professional experience) in Engineering, Business, or a related field.

• Exposure to program management, vehicle hardware Design & Release, or Systems Engineering (through internships or academic projects) is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and SharePoint.
• Basic to intermediate data analytics skills, with familiarity in Excel functions such as VLOOKUPs, IF statements, PivotTables, and macros considered a plus.
• Interest or exposure to visual presentation and corporate summary/communication materials.

• Exposure to Exterior/Interior/Chassis/EDS organizations or vehicle systems is a plus.

Soft Skills

• Teamwork and communication: strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Self-management: ability to manage day-to-day responsibilities with growing independence; self-motivated and process-oriented.
• Organization and analysis: strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Multitasking: ability to support multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines.
• Collaboration: comfortable interacting with stakeholders across different levels of the organization.
• Continuous learner: proactive and motivated to grow within program operations and resource planning practices.