3d Operations Digital Manager

Ford Ford · Auto · Dearborn, MI +1 · PD Operations and Quality

Ford is seeking a Digital Design Manager to lead a team of digital modelers and sculptors in developing 3D concept and design intent models for automotive products. The role involves managing the entire design development process from sketch to prototype, including team leadership, training, performance reviews, and project delivery. The manager will interface with various design teams, pitch creative visions, and manage timing plans and work orders. Requires experience in interior/exterior automotive design, surfacing techniques, CAD software, and strong leadership and communication skills.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead a team of creative digital sculptors in the creation of product concepts and thematic alternatives.
  2. Provide ideation and concept alternatives in support of Design staff.
  3. Lead a team of digital modelers to develop complete CAD models for physical builds from limited data release/availability.
  4. Manage and support the creation of complete 3D data for all items related to studio properties.
  5. Own the management and delivery of all timing plans, work orders and reviews for studio properties.

Skills

Required

  • Experience with interior and exterior design
  • Proven record of results in concept delivery
  • Experience and knowledge of surfacing techniques and software
  • Knowledge of CAD software
  • Understanding of the requirements for clay model development techniques
  • Ability to work in a dynamic work environment with continuous change and a willingness to learn new skills
  • Proficient at creative problem-solving
  • Ability to work independently and provide strong technical aesthetic judgment to lead team members.
  • Outstanding teamwork, leadership, visual, written, and verbal communication skills
  • People management and leadership skills to hire, develop, and inspire the creative team.
  • Facilitating senior stakeholder discussions
  • Comfortable with complexity—finding opportunities and clear paths in ambiguous environments.
  • Lead multiple Ford design projects from conception to completion in accordance with deadlines.
  • Collaborate with other Ford team members and stakeholders.
  • Plan and organize the workload and job assignments of subordinate personnel.
  • Cultivate employee engagement and improve morale.
  • Mentor and coach others through difficult challenges and can serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.

Nice to have

  • 5+ years working in Studio / Design environments
  • Computer skills and software knowledge of Microsoft Office
  • 3+ years direct experience with surfacing software
  • College degree – Design or Engineering emphasis preferred
  • Experience of working in or with creative cultures
  • Experience of working in large, corporate environments
  • Experience of managing multiple stakeholders across complex project

What the JD emphasized

  • leadership
  • management
  • team
  • creative team
  • digital sculptors
  • digital modelers
  • 3D data
  • studio properties
  • timing plans
  • work orders
  • reviews
  • stakeholder discussions
  • hire
  • develop
  • inspire
  • mentor
  • coach
  • senior stakeholders
  • projects
  • deadlines
  • collaborate
  • workload
  • job assignments
  • employee engagement
  • morale
  • culture
  • values
  • ways of working
  • patience
  • difficult challenges
  • trusted advisor
  • technical requirements
  • automotive design
  • interior and exterior design
  • concept delivery
  • surfacing techniques
  • software
  • CAD software
  • clay model development techniques
  • dynamic work environment
  • continuous change
  • learn new skills
  • creative problem-solving
  • work independently
  • technical aesthetic judgment
  • lead team members
  • teamwork
  • leadership
  • visual
  • written
  • verbal communication skills
  • Studio / Design environments
  • Computer skills
  • software knowledge
  • Microsoft Office
  • surfacing software
  • College degree
  • Design or Engineering emphasis
  • creative cultures
  • large, corporate environments
  • managing multiple stakeholders
  • complex project