The role
From Ford's own posting.
We are looking for a senior engineering leader to lead Structural Systems Engineering across Europe, with responsibility for Body-in-White (BIW), Frames & Subframes and Battery Structures.
As the European technical leader for Structural Systems, you will have end-to-end responsibility for the technical strategy, development and delivery of structural systems across UK, Merkenich and Otosan engineered products. You will ensure that structural systems meet our targets for quality, cost, weight, functional performance, manufacturability and robustness throughout the complete product lifecycle.
This is both a technical leadership and people leadership role. You will lead and develop the Structural Systems Engineering organization while providing technical direction across vehicle programs, taking key engineering decisions and ensuring robust engineering sign-off.
Working closely with Program Teams, Manufacturing, Purchasing, STA and suppliers, you will influence structural concepts from early development through design, validation, launch and ongoing field quality.
You will also shape the future of Structural Systems Engineering by driving new technologies, standardized engineering methods and processes, supplier capability and continuous improvement.
The role is based in Dunton and has European responsibility. Some travel is required.
Technical Leadership & Product Delivery
• Own the end-to-end technical delivery of Structural Systems Engineering in Europe across BIW, Frames/Subframes and Battery Structures.
• Provide technical direction and decision-making across structural systems throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Ensure structural designs achieve the required balance of Quality, Cost, Weight and Functional Performance (QCWF).
• Lead critical design and technical reviews and ensure robust application of Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA).
• Ensure effective engineering verification, validation and sign-off using established methods including DFMEA and DVP&R.
• Identify technical risks early and drive cross-functional resolution before they impact launch, quality or customer experience.
• Support successful production launches and the resolution and prevention of structural systems issues in the field.
Cross-Functional & Supplier Leadership
• Work closely with Program Teams, Studio, Manufacturing, Stamping, Purchasing, STA and suppliers to ensure technically robust and manufacturable solutions.
• Lead technical feasibility alignment between Engineering, Studio and Manufacturing during product development.
• Provide technical leadership in supplier selection, development and issue resolution.
• Develop and evaluate technical and commercial business cases to support key product and sourcing decisions.
• Represent EU Structural Systems Engineering with senior and executive leadership.
Strategy, Technology & Continuous Improvement
• Define and communicate the technical strategy, priorities and objectives for EU Structural Systems Engineering.
• Drive benchmarking and evaluate emerging technologies relevant to body structures, frames and battery structures.
• Lead the development and deployment of standardized engineering tools, methods and processes.
• Use lessons learned and quality history to prevent recurrence and continuously improve engineering robustness.
People & Organizational Leadership
• Lead, coach and develop engineering leaders and technical specialists across the organization.
• Build organizational capability through mentoring, technical development and succession planning.
• Establish clear priorities and ensure effective resource and budget allocation.
• Create an inclusive, collaborative engineering culture focused on technical excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.
What You'll Bring
Essential
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Significant automotive engineering experience, ideally 10+ years, within BIW/Body Structures, Frames/Subframes and/or Battery Structures.
• Deep technical understanding of structural systems engineering, including design and release, CAE, testing, validation, quality and production launch.
• Proven experience leading an engineering department or significant engineering organization.
• Strong understanding of robust engineering disciplines such as FMA, DFMEA and DVP&R.
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex engineering programs and resolving technical issues across multiple functions.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between engineering performance, manufacturing feasibility, quality, weight and cost.
• Experience working with suppliers and cross-functional partners including Manufacturing, Purchasing, STA and Program Management.
• Strong people leadership, coaching and organizational development capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex technical topics and influence senior stakeholders.
Preferred
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 10–15 years of Structural Systems Engineering experience.
• Experience working with safety-critical automotive systems and components.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis and engineering problem-solving methodologies.
• Working knowledge of CATIA V5.
• Demonstrated passion for developing people, technical capability and engineering processes.
Additional Information:
The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability
This position is based in Dunton and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton office for typically 4 days a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements.
As part of our pre-employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check. This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.
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