Principal Design Quality Engineer Vehicle Appearance & Harmony

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 were all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves

In this position...

At Ford we believe that exceptional design extends beyond aesthetics its about the flawless execution and perception of every surface color and finish. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Design Quality Engineer to champion the visual integrity and appearance harmony of our next-generation vehicles. This pivotal role ensures that every interior and exterior component not only meets stringent design intent but also upholds Fords premium brand image through meticulous evaluation of color grain gloss and overall aesthetic quality.

You will be the critical link between design vision engineering reality and manufacturing execution driving a culture of appearance excellence across our product development lifecycle. If you possess an unparalleled eye for detail deep knowledge of materials and processes and a passion for delivering world-class automotive quality we invite you to make a significant impact at Ford.

What youll do...

Appearance Excellence & Assurance:

• Lead comprehensive visual assessments of interior and exterior components spanning various materials and processes to rigorously certify compliance with Fords design intent and appearance standards.

• Orchestrate and lead Interior and Exterior Harmony Reviews (focusing on color grain and gloss) at production facilities ensuring a cohesive and premium aesthetic across all vehicle lines.

• Drive the evaluation of production parts to Ford Standards for Color Grain Gloss and overall quality appearance identifying and resolving deviations proactively.

Strategic Influence & Process Leadership:

• Serve as a primary expert in manufacturing and tooling processes leveraging this knowledge to proactively influence product and process changes that ensure adherence to Fords demanding appearance standards.

• Champion the continuous improvement of appearance quality processes identifying inefficiencies and driving transformative changes to enhance our methodologies and outcomes.

• Document and manage the program status of Appearance Approval Reports (AARs) and Vehicle Harmony providing clear concise and actionable insights to program and supplier teams.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Problem Solving:

• Act as a central coordinator and consultant collaborating extensively with cross-functional teams including Design Engineering Manufacturing and Quality departments to resolve complex appearance-related challenges.

• Lead root cause analysis for appearance issues implementing robust corrective actions and preventative measures throughout the product lifecycle.

Technical Expertise & Digital Integration:

• Utilize advanced CAD software (e.g. 3Dx CATIA) to perform digital assessments and simulations of appearance quality enabling proactive identification and resolution of potential issues ahead of physical production.

• Maintain a deep understanding of materials science paint and manufacturing processes and their impact on aesthetic attributes.

Travel:

• Travel as required (up to 10% domestically and internationally within North America) with increased travel during critical program launch phases to support evaluations and problem resolution at manufacturing sites.

Youll have...

• Bachelors Degree in a relevant field such as Materials Science Chemical Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Industrial Design or a closely related discipline. Equivalent demonstrated experience in the areas of automotive appearance quality will also be considered.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in appearance quality with a strong focus on color grain gloss and overall vehicle harmony conformance.

• Demonstrated ability to consistently pass a color vision test indicating superior visual acuity for discerning subtle differences in color and finish.

• In-depth knowledge of automotive materials paints and manufacturing processes and their direct influence on aesthetic attributes.

• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g. 3Dx CATIA) for digital appearance assessments and analysis.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a track record of identifying and resolving complex appearance quality issues.

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to articulate complex appearance quality concepts and findings effectively to diverse audiences including senior leadership and technical teams.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams influence stakeholders and drive consensus towards optimal appearance quality solutions.

You may not check every box or your experience may look a little different from what weve outlined but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe or keep you close to home Will your career be a deep dive into what you love or a series of new teams and new skills Will you be a leader a changemaker a technical expert a culture builderor all of the above No matter what you choose we offer a work life that works for you including:

• 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 active employee resource groups

• Paid time off for individual and team community service

• A generous schedule of paid holidays including the week between Christmas and New Years Day

• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

For more information on salary and benefits click here

This position is a range of salary grades 6 - 8 .

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race religion color age sex national origin sexual orientation gender identity disability status or protected veteran the United States if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability please call 1-.

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