Platform Hardware Technical Manager

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

Technical Program Manager for Ford's Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) platform hardware initiatives, focusing on delivering scalable solutions across vehicle lineups. Requires leadership in technical direction, risk resolution, and cross-functional alignment for hardware definition, sourcing, release, and validation.

What you'd actually do

  1. Direct the development and maintain assumptions for Platform Hardware iterations (FNV3.2, 3.3, 3.X), managing and driving resolution of hardware risks, technical challenges, change control, complexity reduction, and cost.​
  2. Orchestrate Technical Hardware Platform direction through engineering gateways and financial milestones from pre-program (MR) through FEC, acting as single point of contact between SET/VHE/VHM, Program Planning, Tech Strategy, Design/Release, Finance, Quality, Attribute, STA, VO, and NML teams.​
  3. Collaborate with the Functional D&Rs / Hardware Teams / SETs / TPMs / TPP Applications team to ensure all work in support of Program content is completed on time, with quality. Manage functional content alignment supports Platform initiatives and program objectives.​
  4. Ensure all Technical Platform hardware is sourced, released, validated and delivered in support of program timing. Review and ensure BOM accuracy and completeness including content alignment with Tech Strategy and Architecture teams. ​
  5. Facilitate the support the DV process by proactively cascading Platform requirements, driving DFMEA development, leading hardware audits/reviews, ensuring proper classification, test planning, vehicle requests and availability.

Skills

Required

  • automotive hardware engineering
  • technical program management
  • platform engineering
  • electrical/electronic systems
  • vehicle architecture
  • leading complex hardware programs
  • technical leadership
  • automotive hardware development processes
  • sourcing
  • release
  • validation
  • BOM management
  • DFMEA
  • design reviews
  • change control
  • build support
  • ECUs
  • highly integrated vehicle features
  • leading through ambiguity
  • decision making with incomplete information
  • communication skills
  • influencing engineering teams
  • influencing program leaders
  • influencing finance partners
  • influencing manufacturing teams
  • influencing suppliers
  • influencing senior stakeholders
  • balancing technical depth with business judgment
  • cost management
  • quality management
  • complexity reduction
  • timing management
  • strategic platform considerations

Nice to have

  • Ford engineering systems
  • Ford processes
  • Ford milestone reviews
  • AIMs
  • Jira
  • CNE DF
  • PSTs
  • governance forums
  • vehicle builds support
  • preproduction events support
  • breadboards support
  • ECU updates support
  • launch readiness activities support
  • FNV architecture
  • connected vehicle platforms
  • software-defined vehicle hardware enablement
  • ED&T management
  • tooling budgets management
  • BOM alignment
  • program financial milestone deliverables
  • cross-functional leadership

What the JD emphasized

  • 10+ years of experience in automotive hardware engineering, technical program management, platform engineering, electrical/electronic systems, vehicle architecture, or a closely related technical field.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex hardware programs or platform initiatives from early concept through engineering milestones, validation, sourcing, and production readiness.
  • Experience managing or providing technical leadership to engineering teams, including coaching, prioritization, issue resolution, and cross-functional alignment.
  • Strong understanding of automotive hardware development processes, including sourcing, release, validation, BOM management, DFMEA, design reviews, change control, and build support.
  • Experience working with ECUs, electrical/electronic architectures, platform hardware, vehicle integration, or highly integrated vehicle features.