BIW Vehicle Architect (Draft)

Ford is seeking a highly experienced Senior Body‑In‑White (BIW) Architect Engineer
to serve as the on‑site build and test lead for active vehicle programs in Detroit. This role is critical to maintaining continuity between design, manufacturing, quality, and test during vehicle builds and launches.

While the core design team is based in Irvine, CA, this position will be the constant technical presence in Detroit, acting as the central liaison between design engineering and build/test execution. The ideal candidate brings deep automotive launch experience, strong technical judgment, and the confidence to lead cross‑functional discussions on the shop floor and in high‑level reviews.

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Key Responsibilities
Build & Test Leadership
• Act as the BIW build lead, supporting vehicle assembly, inspection, and testing activities.
• Support durability, structural, crash, subsystem & integration, and quality testing, ensuring vehicles are built correctly and to design intent.
• Drive daily alignment through startup meetings, floor meetings, and cross‑functional reviews.
• Identify which units require additional inspection, which trials need to be run, and which issues require escalation.
Technical Liaison & Issue Management
• Serve as the primary interface between the Irvine design team and Detroit build/test teams.
• Review CAD data using CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE (V6), including cut sections and design notes, to understand intent and identify risks.
• Use JIRA and Ford‑integrated deviation systems to raise, track, and resolve issues.
• Inspect models, review engineering notes, and validate build execution against design intent.
• Document failures, understand root causes, and clearly communicate findings and recommendations back to design and engineering teams.
Manufacturing & Quality Support
• Support paint trials, quality investigations, and manufacturing process improvements.
• Ensure correct parts and configurations are being used during builds.
• Validate that BIW structures meet design, performance, and quality expectations during launch.

Required Experience & Qualifications
Experience
• 10+ years of overall automotive experience, with multiple vehicle launches (minimum of one full vehicle launch required; 2–3 preferred).
• Extensive experience supporting Body‑In‑White or body structures through build, test, validation, and launch phases.
• Prior background performing CAD and engineering work earlier in career (this role is less hands‑on design day‑to‑day but requires strong technical depth).
• Proven experience working on production vehicles (automotive only — aerospace or non‑vehicle industries are not a fit).
• Experience operating in fast‑paced launch environments with manufacturing, quality, and test teams.
Technical Skills
• Experience with CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE (V6) preferred.
○ CATIA V5 or Siemens NX experience acceptable due to review‑focused nature of the role.
• Familiarity with JIRA or similar issue‑tracking systems in complex, automated environments.
• Strong ability to review 3D CAD models, cut sections, and engineering documentation.
• Experience with mixed‑material BIW structures, including:
○ Aluminum castings (significant focus)
○ Aluminum stampings
○ Hot‑stamped boron steel
• Understanding of BIW manufacturing, quality, and validation processes.

Key Attributes for Success
• Senior‑level problem solver with strong engineering judgment.
• Confident, outgoing communicator comfortable leading discussions in large, high‑visibility meetings.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple issues simultaneously.
• Functions effectively as a technical lead / build‑support PM, even without formal project management responsibilities.
• Able to serve as the single point of continuity on‑site throughout active builds.
• Experience with casting‑heavy structures strongly preferred, as this is an expanding focus area at Ford.

BIW Scope
• Ownership of body structures excluding closures (doors, hood, liftgate).
• Strong familiarity with front, rear, underbody, and major BIW systems.
• Experience with casting‑heavy structures strongly preferred, as this is an expanding focus area at Ford.

Benefit packages for this role will start on the 1st day of employment and include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as HSA, FSA, and DCFSA account options, and 401k retirement account access with employer matching. Employees in this role are also entitled to paid sick leave and/or other paid time off as provided by applicable law.