Livonia Transmission Plant Resident Engineer

As the LTP Resident Engineer, you will serve as the critical, on-site bridge between Product Development (PD) Systems Engineering and Powertrain Manufacturing Operations at the Livonia Transmission Plant (LTP). You will be the primary technical authority representing PD on the plant floor, responsible for ensuring first-time quality, rapid issue resolution, and flawless change-control execution for high-volume rear-wheel-drive (10R80/MHT/10R60) and front-wheel-drive (8F) transmission families.

You will transition the plant engineering interface into a modern, data-driven operation—leveraging cutting-edge AI/ML tools (such as MILO) and Digital Birth Certificates to catch defects before they reach the customer, directly impacting Ford’s Global Warranty (1 MIS/3 MIS) and Launch Quality targets.

• Represent Product Engineering: Act as the single point of contact and decision-maker for engineering, design, and quality sign-offs on the LTP shop floor.
• Drive Daily Plant Alignment: Attend daily plant startup and operating committee meetings. Proactively identify product design and quality concerns. Ask the hard 'Why' to determine if issues require process optimization, supplier containment, or immediate design changes.
• Leverage Advanced Analytics: Utilize Digital Birth Certificate data and MILO AI/ML final test stand diagnostics (waveforms and image analysis) to reactively isolate suspect populations during quality holds, saving millions in teardown and swap costs.
• Own Change Control & Documentation: Author, review, track, and close WERS alerts, Supplier Requests for Engineering Approval (SREAs), and Manufacturing Risk Assessments. Maintain a centralized 'Source of Truth' database for all active plant concerns to ensure transparent, skip-level-free communication.
• Lead Rapid Root-Cause Analysis: Partner with UAW operators, plant quality teams, and supplier representatives to diagnose in-plant assembly concerns and dealer/warranty returns using Six Sigma and Lean problem-solving methodologies.
• Manage Deviations & Specifications: Authorize temporary component deviations and provide clear interpretation of Engineering Specifications (ES) and drawings to plant personnel. Sign off on plant Dynamic Control Plans (DCP) and Repair Documents.
• Support Launch & Program Delivery: Assist in the physical build and teardown of pre-production units, and lead the on-site resolution of launch-spike issues for upcoming vehicle programs.

Core Skills & Focus Areas:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal skills to build trust, respect, and collaborative relationships with both UAW hourly operators and executive plant management.
• Data-Driven Problem Solving: Strong analytical mindset with experience in Six Sigma, 3x5-Why, and Fishbone methodologies to drive to root cause rather than treating symptoms.
• Systems Thinking & Change Management: Deep familiarity with corporate change systems (WERS, SREA, Teamcenter) and the ability to manage multiple high-priority issues concurrently across different architectures (10R and 8F).

• Poise Under Fire: A calm, decisive demeanor in high-stakes 'Stop Ship' scenarios, balancing urgency with smart risk management.

   

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace/Automotive preferred).
• 3+ years of experience in Powertrain Product Development (Design & Release, Systems) or Manufacturing/PVT Operations.
• Direct experience with WERS (Write Engineering Change System), SREAs, and interpreting engineering drawings/specifications.
• Proven experience managing quality containment and root-cause analysis in a manufacturing plant environment.

Preferred:

• 5+ years of experience in automatic transmission systems, design & release, or manufacturing (specifically 10R80/10R60/MHT or 8F architectures).
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing AI/ML manufacturing diagnostics (MILO) and birth history analyses to resolve quality issues.
• Experience supporting major vehicle launches and managing Field Service Actions (FSAs).

 

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 $115,500-$218,100.      
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.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
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
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