Mfg Program Manager (Software & Diagnostics)

About Ford…

Do you want to change the world? The Ford Motor Company had endured and thrived for 118 years – through every imaginable challenge – because we have the vision to imagine the future and the courage to change. Ford is redefining how it will build a better world for the future by creating a culture and opportunities where employees will capitalize on Ford’s excellence in designing and building the most iconic products while also helping develop the future of world-class connected BEVs. Ford is transforming our global automotive business to scale EVs, strengthen operations, and unlock value. We will deliver the speed of a startup, with the deep expertise of high-volume production. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.

In This Position...

In this pivotal role, the Software & Diagnostics Manager, for Ford's next-generation EV product line, will lead the development, implementation, and management of advanced digital tools and testing strategies. This role is a key driver of modern, data-driven EV manufacturing processes, ensuring high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective production through automation, intelligent diagnostics, and advanced software solutions tailored for EV components like high-voltage batteries and electric propulsion systems.

What You'Ll Do...

• Strategic Leadership and Project Management: 
• Digital Software Implementation and Architecture:
• Test System Design and Deployment: 
• Diagnostics, Prognostics, and Data Analytics: 
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
• Partner and collaborate with engineering and technical teams responsible for building full-stack applications for global EV manufacturing plants.
• Develop technology roadmaps for manufacturing processes and quality systems, aligning technical strategy with manufacturing digital transformation objectives.
• Oversee projects related to digital software, advanced test system development, and automation, managing budgets, schedules, and cross-functional deliverables for new EV programs.
• Drive a cross-functional team of hardware, firmware, and software engineers to define product constraints and create plans for the development and validation of custom manufacturing test equipment.
• Communicate project status, risks, and strategic initiatives to stakeholders across the organization.
• Manage the deployment and integration of digital manufacturing tools, such as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), IoT sensors, and data analytics platforms, with a focus on EV production lines.
• Ensure seamless data flow between operational technology (OT) systems (e.g., plant-floor controls, PLCs) and enterprise IT systems (e.g., ERP, cloud-based intelligence platforms).
• Apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to software platforms to create intelligent manufacturing systems, including concepts like a "digital twin" of the factory to optimize production.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and enhancement of key software frameworks for manufacturing operations, including those for electric propulsion, inverter control, sensor management, and fault detection.
• Design, develop, and implement advanced automated and manual test systems for new EV product introductions (NPI).
• Focus on end-of-line (EOL) test stations and comprehensive testing solutions for high-voltage battery systems, electric drive units, and other critical EV subsystems.
• Define comprehensive test strategies, write validation protocols, and develop robust test procedures and programs to ensure high test coverage and reliability.
• Implement advanced diagnostic software and infrastructure for testing and troubleshooting EV products throughout the manufacturing process, including on-board and off-board diagnostic capabilities.
• Lead the development of prognostics capabilities, particularly for high-voltage EV batteries.
• Analyze production data, big data from manufacturing test results, yield metrics, and diagnostic outputs to identify trends, pinpoint root causes for complex EV-specific issues, and drive corrective actions.
• Utilize data analysis to improve overall quality, reduce warranty issues, and enhance manufacturing test data utilization.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using digital insights and methodologies like Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma, specifically tailored for EV manufacturing challenges.
• Leverage testing and diagnostic data to enhance process efficiency, reduce scrap, improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and drive innovation in software performance, safety, and reliability within EV manufacturing.
• Develop test coverage and metrics for advanced manufacturing processes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering (e.g., Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Manufacturing, etc) or a Computer Science field.
• Significant experience, often 7-10+ years’ experience in manufacturing engineering, with hands-on expertise in software development, test engineering, and diagnostics, specifically within the automotive industry, preferably with EV programs.
• Proven experience leading the development and deployment of manufacturing software solutions, including integrating plant-floor controls with cloud-based intelligence.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering (e.g., Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Manufacturing, etc) or a Computer Science field.
• Proven experience leading the development and deployment of manufacturing software solutions, including integrating plant-floor controls with cloud-based intelligence.
• Familiarity with test automation frameworks, data acquisition systems, and enterprise systems (MES, ERP), as well as experience with AI/ML applications in manufacturing.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to manage, mentor, and develop diverse technical teams, including those focused on hardware, firmware, and software.
• Strong understanding of EV architectures, high-voltage battery systems, electric propulsion, and associated diagnostic and testing challenges.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to drive cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

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 childcare 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 leadership level 5.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL5SP1
 

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance 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 committed to a culturally diverse workforce. 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.

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