Forward Model Quality - Body Exterior Engineer

Dearborn, MIFull-time$72.5k–$162kPosted Jul 7, 2026

At Ford Motor Company, Quality Comes First. We are thrilled to celebrate our historic achievement of ranking #1 among all mainstream brands in the J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS)—marking our ascent to the gold standard of mass-market new vehicle quality. As we build on this relentless momentum, we are seeking a self-starting, highly technical quality professional to join our Forward Model Quality (FMQ) team.

In this exciting role, you will champion design and engineering improvements on forward-model programs that directly impact our customers across a broad spectrum of Exterior Systems, including Sheet Metal, Closures/HLM, Exterior Lighting, and Exterior Trim/Ornamentation. You will drive the voice of the customer and field quality performance directly into early vehicle programs, collaborating closely with Studio, Engineering, and Program teams to eliminate error states, mitigate warranty risks, and secure robust design execution.

What you'll do...

Extract and analyze quality/warranty databases (Quality.Ai, J.D. Power, QNPS/CX.AI, Datacubes) alongside market trends (benchmarking, social media, web forums) to identify design opportunities.
Analyze current model High Time in Service (HTIS) Exterior warranty trends (R/1000) and field service actions to author robust "lessons learned" portfolios, closing the quality feedback loop for forward model planning.
Develop and maintain Exterior functional warranty and IQS roadmaps and deliver Quality Framework assessments at early milestones to secure program budgets and protect performance targets.
Partner with the Design Studio and Design Technical Office (DTO) to review exterior surfaces (using Teamcenter, TCVis Mockup, 3DX) to incorporate execution enablers that meet customer satisfaction and warranty mitigation goals.
Drive program compliance on Exterior Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) requirements, leveraging technical expertise and input from Exterior and Structural Systems Engineering Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
Act as the quality and warranty representative on vehicle program teams, driving functional delivery while supporting Program Feasibility Reviews, AAFs, VPATs, CPE DFs, and PEHF PATs.
Assess perceived quality and determine customer/warranty impact (PP/100 or R/1000) for Meets Customer Expectation / Fails Customer Expectation (MCE/FCE) issues, as well as evaluating Total Value Management (TVM) cost-reduction proposals to protect product integrity.
Lead collaborative efforts with the Forward Model Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) Team and engineering functions to develop robust FMA plans targeting new technology and chronic warranty issues.
Lead warranty-focused, cross-functional problem-solving efforts for developmental failures, launch issues, or early field concerns.
Conduct targeted audits throughout the GPDS process to assess deliverable quality, identify systemic gaps, and coordinate with Product Development (PD) to implement Prevent Recurrence Actions (PRAs).

You'll have...

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a similar/related technical degree.
3+ years of automotive industry experience with a specialized focus in at least one of the following areas:
- Body Exterior component engineering (D&R, Quality, or Manufacturing)
- Automotive Quality/Warranty data analysis with experience navigating quality databases and translating data into engineering actions.
Strong problem-solving skills with a track record of driving cross-functional resolution.
A proactive work ethic, positive attitude, and passion for improving product quality.
Ability to autonomously communicate, present, and defend technical quality data to cross-functional teams (Engineering, Assembly Plants, Studio, and Program Management).
Willingness to occasionally travel to vehicle assembly plants as needed.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Even better, you may have...

5-10 years of experience in an automotive engineering discipline.
Body Exterior Design and Release (D&R) experience.
Global Product Development System (GPDS) knowledge.
Familiarity with Ford Quality Systems and methodologies (FMA, Global 8D, DMAIC, etc.).
Experience in the design Studio and familiarity with the Studio process.

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 the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage

Flexible family care, 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 salary grade 6 and ranges from $72,480-121,440.

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $84,480-141,360.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $96,720-162,120.

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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-CA1