Engineering Specialist, Process - Final Assembly

Ford Ford · Auto · Wayne, MI +1 · Manufacturing

This role is for an Engineering Specialist in Final Assembly at Ford, focusing on ensuring assembly integrity through expertise in fastening, torque, and joint analysis. The position involves diagnosing and solving complex problems related to power tools and assembly processes, managing tool procurement and evaluation, and overseeing quality assurance programs. The role acts as a liaison between engineering and the shop floor, implementing engineering revisions and containment plans, and managing documentation for torque changes. It requires strong technical understanding of power tools and vehicle assembly tooling, leadership skills, and problem-solving abilities within a manufacturing environment.

What you'd actually do

  1. Partner with Plant Personnel and the Plant Vehicle Team (PVT) to diagnose torque and joint anomalies. You will lead Torque Process Potential Studies (TPPS) and joint analyses to uncover the "why" behind every variance.
  2. Support the PVT on assembly concerns, torque deviations, and fastener rejections. You aren't just identifying problems—you are implementing the engineering revisions that ensure proper tool usage and settings.
  3. Act as the vital link between engineering and the shop floor. You will support Line Supervision in root cause identification and implement immediate, short-term containment plans during investigation phases.
  4. Ensure every torque change is meticulously documented in TISS/TPPS software and represent the plant at Material Control/PVT change meetings to anticipate how new fasteners will impact the line.
  5. Manage the procurement, evaluation, and control of all power tools (Atlas Copco & Stanley). From initial VO installs of multi-spindle stations to initiating "Better Power Tool Methods," you are the architect of the plant’s tooling strategy.
  6. Oversee the Torque Integrity Assurance Program (VOPFAG-241) and lead Error Proofing initiatives, functioning as the plant’s focal point for all torque and joint issues for both launch and current products.

Skills

Required

  • High school diploma or GED
  • Proven team leadership skills
  • Ability to manage complex projects with a self-directed, "take-charge" mentality
  • Ability to flex and rotate hours as needed
  • Fundamental understanding of handheld power tools and sophisticated vehicle assembly tooling
  • Excellent oral and written skills
  • Ability to translate technical data into actionable insights for diverse audiences
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Focus on the full lifecycle of a concern: leading interim containment, defining root causes, and validating permanent corrective actions to prevent recurrence
  • Distinct desire to thrive in a fast-paced, challenging manufacturing environment
  • Confidence to supervise and guide hourly personnel

Nice to have

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 5 years of implementation of power tool processes
  • Deep technical experience specifically tailored to fasteners and joints
  • Track record of improving manufacturing efficiency through tooling innovation
  • Experience managing skilled trades

What the JD emphasized

  • ultimate authority on assembly integrity
  • mastering the physics of joints
  • analyzing complex torque and joint problems that baffle others
  • establish all local plant power tool requirements
  • world-class precision
  • diagnose torque and joint anomalies
  • joint analyses
  • torque deviations
  • fastener rejections
  • implementing the engineering revisions
  • proper tool usage and settings
  • root cause identification
  • immediate, short-term containment plans
  • meticulously documented
  • impact the line
  • procurement, evaluation, and control of all power tools
  • architect of the plant’s tooling strategy
  • Torque Integrity Assurance Program
  • Error Proofing initiatives
  • focal point for all torque and joint issues