Design & Release Engineer

Overview

At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation - grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.

Job Type: Full time

Work Type: Hybrid

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.

In this position...

As vehicles become increasingly software-defined and connected, the Core Antenna D&R Engineer is critical to the success of Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, autonomous driving features, and the overall digital customer experience. You ensure the "backbone" of the vehicle's communication system is robust, reliable, and future proof.

The Core Antenna D&R Engineer bridges the gap between electromagnetic theory and physical vehicle implementation. In this role, you will be responsible for taking an antenna from a conceptual requirement through RF simulation, supplier sourcing, physical packaging, and final production release. You will play a key role in shaping the future of connected and autonomous vehicles at Ford Motor Company.

What you'll do...

Design & Simulation: Utilize electromagnetic simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST) to predict antenna performance, gain, and radiation patterns based on vehicle placement (e.g., roof, glass, or body panels).

Cross-Functional Integration: Collaborate with Styling/Studio to ensure antennas meet aesthetic requirements and with Body/Trim teams to manage physical packaging and cabling.

Supplier Management: Lead Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers through the APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) process, ensuring they meet Ford’s technical specifications, cost targets, and delivery timelines. Chair Program Attribute Team (PAT) meetings to track product development activities.

Validation & Testing: Oversee Over-the-Air (OTA) testing in anechoic chambers and field testing to verify performance against requirements like Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS) and Total Radiated Power (TRP).

Release Management: Manage the formal release of components into Ford systems (such as WERS), including the creation of Engineering Specifications (ES), Statements of Work (SOW), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Quality History, etc.

You'll have...

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer or Aerospace Engineering.

3+ years of experience with electrical component design and development process in the automotive industry.

Strong interpersonal/team participation skills.

Strong analytical skills.

Even better, you may have...

Master’s degree in Electrical, Computer or Aerospace Engineering.

Experience and understanding of AM/FM/DAB, Satellite Radio, Cellular, GNSS and C-V2X reception theory.

2+ years of experience with Radio Frequency (RF) receiver/tuner or antenna system designs.

Packaging knowledge of automotive antenna systems.

Experience working with Tier 1 supplier to develop components for automotive applications.

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 6 and ranges from $85,400-$143,200.

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.

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

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