Upper Steering Supervisor

Job Description

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves? If good is just never good enough for you, Ford Quality shares your passion for striving for perfection.

We’re responsible for driving the continuous improvement efforts that enable Ford to deliver the highest quality products and services. Help us drive operational excellence through such innovative, proprietary initiatives as our Global Product Development System, Quality Operating System and New Model Launch. Work cross-functionally and closely with integrated teams in Manufacturing, Product Development, Purchasing, Marketing, Sales and Service.

In this position...

The Design and Release (D&R) Engineering Supervisor is responsible for leading a team of engineers in the end-to-end development of the Upper Steering subsystem and components including steering columns, intermediates shafts, dash seals, mechanical shift mechanisms, and column locks.

• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead, mentor, and coach a team of D&R engineers, providing technical guidance and professional development.
  • Manage workload distribution and resource planning.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, diversity, and technical innovation.
• Product Design & Technical Oversight
  • Ensure all vehicle program milestones, quality and cost objectives are met.
  • Oversee the design and packaging of components.
  • Ensure designs meet all functional requirements including Engineering Specifications, Internal Requirements, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
  • Lead technical design reviews and sign off on engineering releases.
• Quality & Validation
  • Govern the creation and execution of the Failure Mode Avoidance and Reliability Planning including Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Design Verification Plan and Reports (DVP&R).
  • Ensure all components are fully validated through physical testing and CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) simulation.
  • Drive "Zero Defect" initiatives and use the 8D problem solving tool to lead root-cause analysis for any issues identified during the development cycle or in the field.
• Project & Supplier Management
  • Manage supplier relationships, ensuring they meet technical specifications and delivery timelines.
  • Collaborate with Purchasing and Finance to meet cost and investment targets.
  • Interface with Manufacturing and Quality departments to ensure a robust assembly process.
• Strategic Planning
  • Contribute to the development of technology roadmaps and commodity strategies.
  • Identify opportunities for weight reduction, cost optimization, and complexity reduction across vehicle programs.

Minimum

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace similar).
• 7+ years of applicable engineering experience in the automotive or a related manufacturing industry.
• Deep understanding of the product development lifecycle, including CAD, CAE, GD&T, and statistical data analysis using Minitab.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally multiple times per year to support Ford product launches and supplier reviews.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA.
• At least 2 years of experience in a formal or informal leadership role (e.g., Engineering Supervisor, Lead Engineer or Project Manager).
• Strong understanding of Six Sigma or other problem‑solving tools.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex technical data to executive leadership.
• Prior experience as a Ford Design and Release Engineer or Supervisor.
• Prior experience with chassis, steering or other safety critical components.

• 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…