Job Description

Location: Chicago Assembly Plant – Chicago, IL (Fully Onsite)

New Model Program Engineer

The New Model Program Engineer plays a critical role in the successful launch of new vehicle and powertrain programs across Ford’s North America manufacturing plants. This individual contributor role is responsible for end‑to‑end program execution, ensuring launches meet quality, timing, and budget commitments while proactively managing risks, issues, and cross‑functional coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Governance & Launch Execution
• Act as a gatekeeper for New Model Programs, ensuring adherence to launch processes, standards, and deliverables across all phases.
• Pre‑Production Build Management
• Plan, manage, and execute all pre‑production build events, ensuring quality, readiness, and efficiency objectives are met.
• Vehicle Fleet Management
• Manage the ordering, build, testing, evaluation, and final disposition of pre‑production vehicles, including execution of the Pre‑Production Drive Fleet Evaluation Plan.
• Design & Engineering Change Oversight
• Lead the approval and integration of Product Development and Engineering Changes, ensuring changes are validated prior to prototype and build events.
• Issue & Risk Management
• Maintain and drive a comprehensive issue list, leading cross‑functional teams to timely resolution of build, part support, and launch risks.
• Launch Meeting Leadership
• Co‑chair launch and build readiness meetings; drive action items and ensure closure of open issues for each build milestone.
• Budget Management
• Execute and manage launch budget approval processes related to New Model Programs within the overall launch budget.
• Reporting & Executive Communication
• Prepare and present weekly New Model Program assessments, clearly communicating status, risks, mitigation plans, and launch readiness to senior leadership.
• Manufacturing Integration
• Support seamless transition of launch teams and processes into plant operations during and after program launch.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Engineering or technical field preferred)
• 1+ year experience in: Vehicle or powertrain manufacturing, design, or program management
• Project management or launch-related activities
• 2+ years experience applying structured problem-solving methodologies with a statistical mindset
• 4+ years proficiency with: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project
• Strong organizational, communication, and issue‑management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline
• Program management or manufacturing experience
• Experience with:
• Engineering Change Management
• Issue Management systems
• New model or product launch processes
• Highly detail‑oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities in fast‑paced environments

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