Lead Engineering Technician | Vehicle Systems (Powertrain)
- Job ID
- 69613
- Location
- Palo Alto, California
- Category
- PD Operations and Quality
Overview
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
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.
Ford’s Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company’s vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You’ll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.
In this position...
The Lead Engineering Technician supports development and testing by leading hands-on build, rework, and testing activities across electric powertrain, thermal, and vehicle systems. This role will assemble and modify prototype hardware, prepare vehicles and test equipment, troubleshoot system issues, and document results. The technician lead will also coordinate daily work, train other technicians, and ensure builds and tests are completed safely and according to engineering instructions.
What you'll do...
- Lead daily build and test activities across powertrain, thermal, and vehicle systems while providing hands-on direction to technicians.
- Assemble, install, modify, and rework electric powertrain components, thermal systems, and related vehicle hardware.
- Support component, subsystem, and vehicle-level testing, including test setup, instrumentation, operation, and teardown.
- Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and thermal system issues and coordinate findings with Engineering.
- Take ownership of complex prototype builds and rework when standard procedures are still being developed.
- Read and interpret work instructions, mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, harness diagrams, and test procedures.
- Build and design fixtures, tooling, fluid loops, instrumentation, and test equipment from loosely defined requirements.
- Inspect components and assemblies using precision measurement and diagnostic equipment.
- Train technicians, assign daily work, and ensure clear communication during project and shift handoffs.
- Document vehicle configurations, completed work, test results, issues, and deviations.
- Maintain test vehicles, lab equipment, and shop areas in a safe and test-ready condition.
- Ability to track work through Jira and other Atlassian tools.
- Maintain a strong understanding of electrical principles and automotive standards.
You'll have...
- Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Proficiency in prototype system builds, modifications, testing, and troubleshooting.
- Ability to lead while contributing to the work, setting priorities, guiding technicians, and maintaining accountability.
- Ability to translate engineering requirements, drawings, schematics, and procedures into executable work.
- Strong judgment, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills in a changing environment.
- Ability to communicate and document work status, findings, risks, configurations, and open issues.
- Ability to work safely and maintain an organized, efficient work environment.
Even better, you may have...
- Hands-on experience building and launching automotive products and vehicle prototyping
- Experience with Microsoft Office, Confluence, and Jira applications
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- An eagerness to work in a fast paced cross-functional environment
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 $95,300-$159,400.
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 with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid#LI-JD2 #UEV
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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.
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.
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Health and Wellness
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, mental health, and unique wellness perks keep you and your family supported every step of the way.
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Financial and Retirement Programs
Build a strong financial future with robust retirement contributions, savings programs, and free personalized financial planning tools.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Additional Programs
Enjoy unexpected extras like pet insurance, legal services, identity protection, and access to convenient health and wellness services.
Testimonial
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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Built on one bold idea and the passion to define sustainable transportation for generations to come, Ford is a story about people with a vision that’s still being written.
What We Do -
Ford’s culture fuels the kind of momentum where ideas flow, progress is unstoppable, and our people keep redefining what it means to innovate.
Our People and Culture -
At Ford, your work matters, your life matters and we’re here to back the whole you—from growth to well-being—so you show up ready to realize your full potential.
Your Benefits
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