We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

Digital Product Design (DPD) at Ford is committed to envisioning and creating simple, thoughtful, enjoyable, and compelling product experiences that our customers need and love. We work in close partnership with product and engineering to deliver best-in-class interactions experiences that meet the needs of people today, and in the future. Our team is comprised of a dynamic group of product designers, researchers, visual designers, industrial designers, modelers, and project managers.

In this position…

We are looking for a program manager who specializes in Prototyping Operations. They will play a crucial role in enabling our design teams to rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on innovative product concepts. This role is at the heart of our design process, ensuring that designers have the tools, resources, and support they need to bring their ideas to life quickly and efficiently. You will be responsible for managing the operations of the local prototyping lab, maintaining equipment, and streamlining processes to accelerate the design cycle.

 

What you'll do…

Operations Management: 

Develop and maintain a system for tracking and managing prototype builds and components  Manage inventory and status of preproduction parts, prototyping materials, tools, and equipment  Oversee procurement, usage, maintenance, and upgrades to our digital design prototyping platforms 
 

Prototyping Design Support: 

Support the Palo Alto site and digital design team as the subject matter expert on local prototype properties and methodologies, ranging from low-fidelity and rapid prototyping to working with production-grade automotive hardware on static and drivable platforms.  Support designers and teammates in ongoing learning and usage of equipment, serving as the primary point of contact for design reviews and research sessions 
Troubleshoot technical and procedural issues related to prototyping & onsite equipment 
 

Process & Collaboration: 

Identify and implement improvements to the prototyping workflow   Establish and enforce protocols for Digital Product Design team’s workspace and equipment  Develop and maintain documentation for prototyping processes, onsite assets, and available equipment  Share knowledge and best practices with the design team  Contribute to a culture of experimentation, innovation, and growth mindset  Support design reviews in Palo Alto Manage workstreams that reduce hardware / software complexity
 

Organizational Skills: 

Excellent organizational and time-management skills  Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously  Strong attention to detail  Experience with inventory management and procurement process  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills  Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment  Ability to explain technical concepts clearly  Passion for helping others and willingness to learn new things

What you'll have…

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, industrial design, human centered design, product management, or related field (or equivalent experience)  2+ years Experience working to develop and deliver design work alongside technical teams  Experience with a variety of digital prototyping tools and techniques 

Skills: 

Experience with design software (Figma, ProtoPie)  Proficiency in a variety of rapid prototyping techniques, including 3D printing, laser cutting, and electronics assembly  Proficiency in a variety of rapid prototyping techniques, including 3D printing, laser cutting, and electronics assembly  Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and perform basic repairs on prototyping equipment 
 

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.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSRSP2

This position is a range of salary grades 7-8. 

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.

Onsite work of up to three days per week may be required for candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub location. #LI-Hybrid  #DPDJOB #LI-LS1