Director, Hardware Engineering – Integration

Ford Motor Company

. Lead design and validation of end effectors, grippers, and tooling for Ford's highest-volume robotic applications .

Posted 10/27/2026full-timeRemote • Michigan • United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and validating robotic end effectors and tooling, integrating automation systems with PLCs and industrial networks, and leading multidisciplinary engineering teams. Proficient in risk assessment and functional safety standards relevant to robotics and automation.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Robotic End Effector DesignPLC Integration ExperienceFunctional Safety KnowledgeTeam Leadership in EngineeringDesign for Manufacture

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Automation EngineeringRobotics EngineeringEnd-of-Arm Tooling DesignRisk AssessmentFunctional Safety StandardsIndustrial Network IntegrationDesign for ManufactureCommissioning ExperienceCable and Wire-Harness StandardsTest Cell Maintenance

Soft Skills

Team LeadershipCollaborationTraining and Certification

Tools & Technologies

Rockwell PLCSiemens PLCPROFINETEtherNet/IPOPC UARoboGym

Industry Keywords

ISO 10218ISO 13849AutomationRoboticsIndustrial Equipment Engineering

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead design and validation of end effectors, grippers, and tooling for Ford's highest-volume robotic applications
Own edge compute hardware and enclosures connecting plant equipment to the Ford platform
Build and maintain RoboGym test cells for qualifying third-party robots
Set cable and wire-harness standards and build in-house harnessing capability
Establish ATP's commissioning method, including risk assessment, virtual commissioning, factory acceptance, site acceptance, and plant handover
Integrate robots and cells with PLC, safety PLC, HMI, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and OPC UA
Reduce deployment cost and cycle time through standard designs, reusable controls templates, and lessons-learned loops
Train and certify plant and ATP engineers
Define device and supplier readiness standards, including drivers, manifests, data interfaces, and safety documentation
Align suppliers with open interface standards such as VDA 5050
Design ATP hardware for manufacture and scale with TDM
Establish functional-safety gates and require documented risk assessments and validated safety functions
Partner with plant safety, controls, and cybersecurity teams
Lead and grow a multidisciplinary engineering and commissioning team
Convert outside integrator work into in-house Ford capability
Set team structure, standard work, and career pathways

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Controls Engineering, or a related field
12+ years in automation, robotics, or industrial equipment engineering, including 5+ years leading engineering teams
Hands-on experience designing robot cells and end-of-arm tooling and commissioning them in a production environment
PLC and controls integration experience with Rockwell and Siemens
Experience with industrial networks including PROFINET and EtherNet/IP
Working knowledge of robot functional safety, including ISO 10218 and ISO 13849, and risk assessment practice
Design for manufacture experience, taking hardware from prototype to production
Experience leading teams on the plant floor and working with plant leadership through launch

Benefits

Comp & perks

Generous PTO
Retirement, savings and stock investment plans
Incentive compensation
Opportunities for professional and personal growth
Recognition