Closures Systems Engineer

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?

Ford’s Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company’s vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You’ll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

In this position...
The Closures Systems Engineer will be responsible for the design, development, and validation of vehicle closure systems, such as side doors, hood, fender, liftgate, tailgate, etc. This role focuses on the critical intersection of sheet metal structures and mechanical hardware. You will ensure that closure systems are engineered for structural integrity and manufacturing feasibility while seamlessly integrating hardware such as latches, hinges, and seals. You will support the product from early concept through prototype testing and final production launch, meet all functional, safety, and aesthetic requirements.

What you'll do...

• Lead sub-system mechanical development and integration of closure systems, including sheet metal, door latches, hinges, hood/tailgate hardware, struts, and exterior handles.
• Design and develop closure inner and outer panels, reinforcements, and architectural interfaces using CAD (3DX/CATIA).
• Package and integrate moving mechanical components including hinges, latches, checks, and seals, ensuring proper kinematics and clearance.
• Define and execute Design Verification Plans (DVP&R). Coordinate physical testing for durability, strength, and environmental performance, and correlate results with CAE simulations.
• Work closely with Studio Design to ensure "Class A" surface feasibility while maintaining engineering requirements for structural stiffness and water sealing.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure sheet metal designs are optimized for stamping, hemming, and assembly (welding/bonding).
• Manage supplier technical delivery to ensure hardware components meet Ford’s functional, weight, and cost targets.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during the development, prototype build, and vehicle launch phases.
• Own the CAD, BOM, and GD&T documentation for assigned closure sub-systems.

You'll have...

Bachelor's or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

• 3+ years of experience in production vehicle development and launch.
• 3+ years of experience utilizing CAD (3DX or CATIA preferred) for automotive body or closure systems.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and release of sheet metal components or mechanical hardware

Even better, you may have...
• Closures Expertise: Strong understanding of closure-specific requirements, including hemming, sealing systems, and door-retention kinematics.
• Expert Mechanical Fundamentals: Deep understanding of mechanism kinematics, linkages, and electromechanical integration (e.g., e-latches and powered closures).
• Materials & Manufacturing: Strong knowledge of sheet metal stamping, casting, and materials science to facilitate seamless integration of hardware into the vehicle body.
• CAE Literacy: Ability to leverage CAE tools to drive design decisions regarding mechanism stiffness, timing, and structural integrity.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with global safety standards and FMVSS requirements related to door retention and closure systems.
• Validation Knowledge: Experience with DVP&R, including cycle testing, slam testing, and environmental soak validation.
• Craftsmanship: Strong understanding of GD&T and how mechanism tolerances impact vehicle-level gaps, flushes, and user perceived quality.
• Hands-on Approach: Experience in physical prototyping and a "boots-on-the-ground" mentality during production build events.

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 7-8 and ranges from $115,800-226,980.

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

Visa sponsorship is 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-JD2 #UEV