Product Development Engineer – Quality - Powertrain Systems & Issue Resolution

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

Product Development Engineer focused on Quality for Powertrain Systems and Issue Resolution at Ford. This role leads the end-to-end solution for powertrain controls and calibration issues, acting as a bridge between Quality, Product Development, and Calibration teams. Responsibilities include driving issue resolution, leading technical task forces, influencing engineering priorities, managing field fixes, verifying solution effectiveness, orchestrating service documentation, enforcing reoccurrence prevention, and supporting manufacturing/launch. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 3+ years of automotive engineering experience with a focus on technical problem-solving, root cause analysis, and cross-functional influence. Knowledge of powertrain systems and diagnostics is essential.

What you'd actually do

  1. Drive End-to-End Resolution: Lead the lifecycle of top powertrain controls and calibration concerns, managing the process from initial field detection to verified implementation of the fix.
  2. Lead Technical Task Forces: Orchestrate cross-functional "war rooms" and rapid-response teams to define root causes and execute corrective actions for hardware, software, or calibration concerns.
  3. Influence Engineering Priorities: Negotiate with engineering and calibration departments by presenting data-backed technical business cases that demand immediate resolution action.
  4. Project Manage Field Fixes: Manage the rollout of software updates and service calibrations, ensuring that Service, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams are aligned to meet aggressive resolution timelines.
  5. Verify Solution Effectiveness: Track post-implementation performance in the field to ensure the "fix" successfully resolved the customer concern without introducing secondary failure modes.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or equivalent) or a related field
  • 3+ years of experience in an automotive engineering role with a focus on technical problem-solving (e.g., Quality, Resident Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Calibration).
  • Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis investigations using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, or Red X).
  • Proven ability to drive results in a matrixed environment where you must influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
  • Working knowledge of powertrain calibration delivery, vehicle-level data acquisition, or diagnostic monitor functionality.
  • The Engineer will be responsible for using CAD to support quality investigations and issue resolution.
  • This roll also requires the usage of six sigma resolution techniques like DMIAC.
  • Valid Driver’s License

Nice to have

  • Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
  • Experience leading "Tiger Teams" or using project management tools (e.g., Jira, ADO) to track issue resolution progress.
  • Proficiency with vehicle networking tools (e.g., CANalyzer, INCA, or PUMA) and enterprise quality management systems.
  • Understanding of global emissions and On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulatory requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical failures into clear, actionable executive summaries for senior leadership

What the JD emphasized

  • lead the rapid elimination of powertrain controls and calibration-related technical issues
  • own the end-to-end solution
  • primary driver between Quality, Product Development, and Calibration teams
  • lead cross-functional task forces
  • proactive "fixer"
  • drive action
  • Drive End-to-End Resolution
  • Lead Technical Task Forces
  • Influence Engineering Priorities
  • Project Manage Field Fixes
  • Verify Solution Effectiveness
  • Enforce Prevent Reoccurrence (PR)
  • Manufacturing & Launch Support
  • Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis investigations
  • Proven ability to drive results in a matrixed environment where you must influence cross-functional teams without direct authority
  • Bias for Action: A track record of significantly reducing "Time-to-Fix" metrics for complex technical issues.