Design & Release Engineer-Transmission Pan and Covers

Livonia, MIFull-time$65.1k–$166kPosted Aug 5, 2026

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

In this position...
The automotive industry is quickly moving towards a greater number of new powertrains to meet customer and market demands. With this shift, there is an expanding need for robust, lightweight, and cost-effective transmission pan and cover solutions—spanning nylon molded and metal (stamped) designs—for new and unique powertrain architectures. As the engineer for transmission pans and covers, you will have the unique opportunity to own all stages of the product design, development, and release. Your work will span from design concept to full-scale production, with an emphasis on quality, cost, weight, and functional performance.

The D&R Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis. This role also includes facilitating supplier data integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.

The D&R Engineer is expected to understand and effectively utilize product check-in/check-out processes, version control, data release, and change management within Ford’s PLM ecosystem.

The D&R Engineer will perform feasibility analyses using CAD tools, including draft angle analysis, undercut detection, minimum bend radius validation for sheet metal, and clearance checks to support manufacturing and machining requirements.

What you'll do...

Lead Design & Release (D&R) activities for Nylon Molded and Metal Pan & Stamped Covers across current and future applications.

Develop component designs that meet sealing, fluid retention, and structural performance requirements.

Lead component design, validation, and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) activities.

Manage prototype and production build delivery and quality.

Collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize weight, cost, and performance of pan and cover components.

Lead “Team of 4” cross functional meetings between PD, Purchasing, Finance and Cost Estimating in supplier selection to deliver program targets.

Interface with systems engineering team, Ford manufacturing plants and component suppliers to meet program objectives for quality, cost, weight, durability and NVH.

Interface with CAD/CAE, manufacturing engineering and suppliers to deliver optimized designs and identify manufacturing feasibility.

Create and maintain FMA documents e.g. DFMEA, DVP&R, P-Diagram, Boundary Diagram.

Plan and manage prototype parts ordering and component/system level testing.

Manage supplier delivery and Ford milestones through Job1. Complete PPAP and production implementation on new programs or changes to existing parts.

Analyze warranty/test hardware to identify root cause of failure and define corrective actions using 8D tools/methods.

Benchmark, identify and implement current model quality and cost reduction actions.

You'll have...

Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering or similar discipline.
2+ years of experience with transmission pans and covers.

1+ years of CAD experience.

Even better, you may have...
Master's of Science in mechanical engineering or similar discipline.
Strong engineering, problem solving, communication and teamwork skills.
Working knowledge of GD&T, quality management processes/tools and experience reading/creating engineering drawings and specifications.
Experience performing failure analysis of mechanical systems and components.
Knowledge of Six Sigma principles and experience using Minitab or similar statistical analysis tool.
Working knowledge of CAD/CAE tools, AutoCAD, MagicDraw, SysML.
Basic understanding of manufacturing processes, metallurgy and heat treatment of steel.
Working knowledge of MS Excel, Word & Power Point.
Working knowledge of the Ford release systems (WERS).
Some travel to suppliers or assembly plants may be required.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've 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 builder…or 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 Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a salary grade 5 and ranges from $65,100-$109,300.

This position is a salary grade 6 and ranges from $74,300-$124,500.

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86,600-$144,900.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR.

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 status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.

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