Closures Systems Launch Engineer

The Staff Closures Systems Engineer will be a key member responsible for the design, development, and integration of closure mechanisms for Advanced EV development programs. This role spans the entire product lifecycle, from supporting early concept development and studio feasibility to leading production-level engineering and launch. You will focus on the complex world of moving parts-including door, hood, and tailgate latches, hinges, struts, and handles-ensuring these systems integrate seamlessly with sheet metal structures and meet all functional, safety, and aesthetic requirements. Responsibilities: What you’ll do…

• Lead the mechanical development and integration of closure systems, including door latches, hinges, hood/tailgate hardware, struts, and exterior handles.
• Act as a primary individual contributor for production-level engineering, ensuring all components meet rigorous performance and durability standards for vehicle launch.
• Support early-stage concept development, working closely with Studio Design to ensure “Class A” surfaces are compatible with mechanism kinematics and packaging requirements.
• Integrate complex mechanisms into sheet metal environments, providing technical expertise on reinforcements, attachment strategies, and material selection.
• Interpret and utilize CAE simulation results (kinematics, strength, and crash) to optimize designs and resolve integration issues before physical prototyping.
• Own the CAD and BOM for closure systems, delivering high-quality surface development, datum strategies, and comprehensive GD&T.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams within engineering, manufacturing, and purchasing to ensure system manufacturing, assembly feasibility, and serviceability. Support vehicle development milestones and prototype/production build events
• Manage supplier technical execution to ensure components meet Ford’s stringent quality and functional specifications.

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience owning components through a full production vehicle development cycle and launch.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive closures or mechanism engineering.
• 5+ years of experience utilizing CAD collaboratively (3DX or CATIA preferred; NX, ICEMSURF, or Alias considered).
• Demonstrated experience in the design and release of moving mechanical systems (latches, hinges, or actuators).

Even better, you may have…

• 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.
• 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 leadership level 6 and ranges from $132,800-$250,800. 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.

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. Product Creation and Industrialization (PC&I) brings together Ford’s vehicle, electric, digital and design teams with our global manufacturing system. Working as one end-to-end organization, we turn ideas into high-quality vehicles, software and experiences across gas, hybrid and electric, designed around what customers need. In this position…