Product Development Engineer – Wiper/Washer, Subject Matter Expert

Ford Motor Company

. Serve as the global Subject Matter Expert for exterior wiper and washer systems .

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeDearborn • Michigan • United StatesSeniorLead💰 $99,100 - $166,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expert-level knowledge in exterior wiper and washer systems, including design, verification, and validation processes. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, mentor engineers, and implement advanced technologies to enhance system performance and reliability.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Exterior Wiper And Washer Systems ExpertiseBody Exterior Design And Release EngineeringFailure Mode Avoidance Design ReviewsRoot Cause Analysis And Problem SolvingCAE/CATIA Engineering Toolset Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Mechanical EngineeringExterior Automotive EngineeringDC Motor FunctionalityDesign Verification And ValidationDurability/NVH Design AttributesCorrosion MitigationTooling And Testing MethodsDFMEAs And SCCAFs WritingProgram ManagementAdvanced Technology Development

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsStrong Leadership BehaviorsMentoring And CoachingEffective Problem-SolvingAbility To Work Independently

Tools & Technologies

CAECATIATCEEngineering SpecificationsDesign Rules

Industry Keywords

Automotive EngineeringProduct DevelopmentQuality AssuranceWarranty ReductionCustomer Satisfaction

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Assembly

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the global Subject Matter Expert for exterior wiper and washer systems
Lead technical aspects of global product strategy, concept development, product development, verification and validation, launch/sign-off, ongoing support, and field quality assurance
Provide global signoffs of exterior wiper and washer HIR requirements at key program milestones
Act as an internal and external technical resource for component and vehicle systems
Provide technical support to global teams
Recommend, develop, and verify new and advanced exterior wiper and washer system designs
Analyze designs and address potential failures and error states
Lead new concept design to improve system performance and support timely implementation
Monitor and investigate new system technologies
Mentor and consult with department engineers and interfacing functions
Support Campaign Prevent and CCRG activities
Provide technical advice to ASO and OGC
Guide development of module system tools, methods, and processes
Lead development and maintenance of commodity standards, specifications, and verification methods
Lead development and deployment of foundation documents, including DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DVP&R, and integration manuals
Guide or lead root-cause analysis of warranty, plant, or supplier issues
Lead Failure Mode Avoidance design reviews and prevent-recurrence processes
Present work to cross-functional teams and senior leadership

Requirements

What you’ll need

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related physical science field of study
10+ years as a Body Exterior Design and Release Engineer or similar experience
6+ years' experience with job responsibilities specific to exterior automotive engineering, focused on exterior wiper and washer systems, hoses, nozzles, motors and/or exterior automotive engineering
Understanding of DC motor functionality and performance
Expert-level knowledge of body exterior wiper and washer attributes, including material properties, durability/NVH design attributes, corrosion mitigation, control plan management, tooling and testing methods
Experience in all program phases from Pre-Program through Launch, including one major program (scale 4-6)
Working knowledge of applicable Design, Analysis, Verification, Quality, Manufacturing, and Assembly methods
Demonstrated improvements in customer satisfaction, warranty reduction, and total cost reduction
Working knowledge and experience with engineering toolset: CAE/CATIA, TCE
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated strong leadership behaviors
Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
Capability to teach, coach, mentor, and document technical knowledge
Ability to work effectively with little oversight
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related physical science field preferred
Preferred experience with advanced technology development of exterior wiper and washer components
Preferred experience with GPDS and GTDS processes, timing, and delivery requirements
Preferred experience writing DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Engineering Specifications, Requirements, Design Rules, or equivalent core documents
CATIA V5 capability preferred
Extensive experience and strong TMM working on safety-critical systems and components preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments
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
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