Principal Design Quality Engineer - Vehicle Appearance & Harmony at Ford Global Career Site

Dearborn, Michigan, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

23 Oct, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Visual Assessments, Appearance Standards, Color Harmony, Grain Quality, Gloss Evaluation, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Actions, Preventative Measures, Materials Science, CAD Software, Analytical Skills, Problem-Solving, Communication Skills, Team Leadership, Continuous Improvement

Industry

Motor Vehicle Manufacturing

Description

Appearance Excellence & Assurance: Lead comprehensive visual assessments of interior and exterior components, spanning various materials and processes, to rigorously certify compliance with Ford's 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. 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. Established and active employee resource groups Serve as a primary expert in manufacturing and tooling processes, leveraging this knowledge to proactively influence product and process changes that ensure adherence to Ford's 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. 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. Bachelor's 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.

Responsibilities

Lead visual assessments of vehicle components to ensure compliance with design standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve appearance-related challenges and drive continuous improvement in quality processes.