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Principal Class A Surfacing Specialist

Are you a visionary Class A Surfacing expert with an unparalleled eye for detail and a passion for automotive design excellence? Ford is seeking a **Principal Class A Surfacing Specialist** to join our advanced design team. This pivotal role is for an individual recognized as a master in the art and science of surface construction and the meticulous refinement of design highlights. You will be instrumental in making critical decisions, driving solutions with agility, and always prioritizing what truly matters for our customers and our brand. We thrive on strong collaboration, where diverse perspectives are sought, and teams work together to solve complex challenges for the greater good.

This is an opportunity to lead, innovate, and mentor within a dynamic environment where your expertise directly shapes the form and function of our products, fusing artistic intent with engineering precision.

Key Responsibilities:

+ **Strategic Design Leadership:**

+ Ensure the seamless incorporation of critical technical, attribute, and program requirements into surfaces while rigorously maintaining the original design vision.

+ Drive the exploration of new design possibilities by creating real-time concept Class A surfaces, collaborating directly and interactively with Creative Design and Engineering teams.

+ Lead the entire program surface progression, providing expert evaluation and strategic direction from concept to final production.

+ **Advanced Surface Construction & Precision:**

+ Serve as the primary expert in surface construction, specializing in the intricate creation and refinement of surface highlights that define vehicle aesthetics.

+ Oversee cross-system surface execution, guaranteeing full system surface compatibility and achieving Class A excellence across all integrated components.

+ Confirm all program surface interfaces are meticulously "Designed-in-Context," ensuring flawless integration within a coordinated data set, including complex supplier data.

+ **Technical Problem Solving & Innovation:**

+ Lead the resolution of complex surface data issues through expert-led reviews, driving solutions to critical design and engineering challenges.

+ Facilitate program surface progression through the theme feasibility process, ensuring designs are not only beautiful but also manufacturable and aligned with program milestones.

+ **Data Integrity & System Management:**

+ Manage surface changes within the Ford system, ensuring accurate version control and traceability.

+ Maintain program product structure and part history in the Ford database release system, accurately documenting the evolution of design and managing change control.

+ **Mentorship & Team Development:**

+ Support the strategic workload distribution and prioritization of Class A surface development initiatives.

+ Actively develop, mentor, and guide Class A Surface Designers, empowering them to deliver feasible math surfaces that meet program requirements and uphold design intent.

+ Develop and finalize surfaces necessary to support the entire development process, from theme feasibility through final Class A production prove-out and tooling release.

Qualifications (What You'll Bring):

+ **Proven Expertise:** Extensive professional experience as a Class A Designer, with a demonstrated portfolio showcasing mastery in Sheetmetal surface construction and highlight refinement.

+ **Technical Acumen:** Deep understanding and hands-on proficiency with industry-leading Class A surfacing software and methodologies.

+ **Collaborative Leadership:** Exceptional ability to lead, influence, and collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams, including Creative Design, Engineering, and external suppliers.

+ **Problem-Solving Prowess:** A track record of independently identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex surfacing challenges with innovative and practical solutions.

+ **Mentorship Capability:** Demonstrated experience in guiding and developing junior designers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.

+ **System Proficiency:** Strong familiarity with product data management systems, specifically experience with TeamCenter/3Dx is highly desirable.

+ **Communication Skills:** Excellent verbal and visual communication skills to articulate complex design and technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

You may have...

+ Associate degree in industrial design, transportation design, mechanical engineering, or equivalent practical experience

+ 10+ years' experience in Class A Surfacing, preferably within the automotive OEM creative Space

Even better, you may have...

+ Understanding of latest industry quality standards for Automotive Class A surface

+ Ability to analyze and validate Class A surface geometry for "best construction and Design practice" and providing feedback as necessary.

+ Proficiency in developing and reviewing models in Unreal, VRED or equivalent rendering software

+ Comprehensive understanding of material selection and impact on surfacing opportunities. This might include material behaviors beyond "free state" such as installed positions

+ Thorough working knowledge of the Surface development process from Design conception phase though production release for both Exterior and Interior Design and components

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 leadership level 6.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6SP3 (https://urldefense.com/v3/\_\_https:/fordcareers.co/LL6SP3\_\_;!!N\_LtwI-RPugbI9wg0dJn!Dk-V5jFveIyvYuvHcJlZ8DC6TzNTTDK1VgIIfz1JKLr4KZtZOOkmCZKjQZhNgkvwr6XqgmcpRc1w2v55pw$)

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.

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-SC3

**Requisition ID** : 53228