Chief Engineer, Global Casting

About Ford

Do you want to change the world? The Ford Motor Company had endured and thrived for 118 years – through every imaginable challenge – because we have the vision to imagine the future and the courage to change. Ford is redefining how it will build a better world for the future by creating a culture and opportunities where employees will capitalize on Ford’s excellence in designing and building the most iconic products while also helping develop the future of world-class connected BEVs. Ford is transforming our global automotive business to scale EVs, strengthen operations, and unlock value. We will deliver the speed of a startup, with the deep expertise of high-volume production. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.

The Opportunity

Being at the forefront of casting technology at Ford presents an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future of automotive manufacturing. As casting gains significant momentum across the industry demonstrating its transformative potential, Ford is poised to make a substantial impact as a leader in Casting technology. You will own the research, development, and deployment through full-scale production to deliver significant cost savings in materials and manufacturing but also a dramatic reduction in assembly steps, leading to lighter, more efficient vehicles. Building a winning team with Casting expertise with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to optimize deployment and adoption will be critical to succeed in this role. For those involved, it means working with cutting-edge processes, contributing to sustainable solutions through new aluminum alloy developments, and refining tooling and simulation techniques to overcome current challenges and unlock the full potential of this critical manufacturing innovation.

The Position 

As the Chief Engineer, Global Casting, you would be at the helm of this groundbreaking technological shift, responsible for integrating a relatively new manufacturing process into a complex and established environment. Reporting directly to the Managing Director & GM, Advanced Industrial Technology & Platforms (AITP), your leadership will be crucial in driving the adoption and refinement of casting technology across new and legacy programs within Ford. This pivotal role would involve overseeing the development and implementation of cast aluminum forming processes for key EV/ICE components, managing the intricacies of die cast tooling, and championing the use of advanced simulation to optimize production. You would be tasked with navigating the challenges associated with scaling up casting, such as the need for larger giga-presses, while ensuring continuous research and development in material science and process simulation. Ultimately, you would be instrumental in realizing the promise of increased efficiency, substantial cost reduction, and enhanced lightweighting across Ford's vehicle lineup, solidifying the company's position as a leader in manufacturing advanced technology and innovation.

What you’ll be able to do  

Cultivate and Lead World-Class Technical Talent: Architect and lead the strategic development of a high-performing, globally distributed team of senior casting engineering professionals. Your remit includes defining critical skill adjacencies, leading strategic talent acquisition initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical mastery, and implementing robust succession planning to ensure sustained organizational capability and future readiness. This involves empowering senior leaders to drive technical breakthroughs and cultivate expertise in emerging casting technologies.

Define and Execute Strategic Vision for Casting Technologies: Leverage profound technical acumen and a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, competitive landscapes, and future industry trends to shape the long-term strategic roadmap for casting engineering. You will be instrumental in making enterprise-level decisions regarding significant capital investments in advanced casting technologies, optimizing resource allocation, and influencing global corporate policies to align with strategic manufacturing and product development objectives. Your insights will directly inform business strategy and drive competitive differentiation.

Forge Strategic Alliances and Drive Cross-Functional Influence: Establish and nurture high-impact partnerships with critical internal stakeholders across product design, manufacturing, supply chain, and research & development, as well as with external technology partners, key suppliers, and industry consortia. Your leadership will be crucial in resolving complex, multi-faceted technical challenges, driving consensus on strategic initiatives, and securing enterprise-wide adoption of best practices. You will serve as a principa