Aerodynamics Program Engineer

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. We also believe in providing you with the freedom to define and realize your dreams. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career potential as you help us define tomorrow’s transportation. 

Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

We are seeking forward-thinking, laser-focused professionals with a passion for aerodynamics to support our product delivery team. 

In this position... 

You will be responsible for full vehicle aerodynamics development utilizing experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods. You will collaborate with studios, vehicle architecture, and functional teams to influence the design of vehicles from design concept to launch to meet vehicle aerodynamics targets. 

What you'll do...

AERODYNAMIC DRAG AND LIFT TARGET DELIVERY:

• Lead the aerodynamic development of vehicles utilizing experimental and analytical methods from concept to production verification.  Set vehicle level compatible targets to support Fuel Economy, Vehicle Dynamics and CO2. Develop, update, and track roadmap actions to achieve program targets. Interface with Design, Attribute, and Functional engineers to execute roadmap actions and resolve issues.  Perform vehicle level signoff of performance to targets and ensure all requirements are met. 
• Prepare internal and customer status reports.
• Prepare data, reports and presentations to support program teams and wind tunnel teams.
• Document lessons learned, support peer reviews and program review meetings.

WIND TUNNEL TESTING:

• Design and conduct physical tests to determine aerodynamic drag and lift performance of studio themes and prototype / production vehicles and develop roadmap actions to achieve targets. Oversee construction of physical models as needed.

CFD ANALYSIS:

• Build analytical models and perform analytical simulations to determine aerodynamic drag and lift performance of studio themes. and develop recommendations for improvements that achieve targets. Proactively guide design, attribute and functional engineers to enable meeting aero targets.

METHODOLOGY

• Develop and implement new methodologies and tools for aerodynamics development.
• Train/support the attribute implementation team in the deployment of new tools.
• Investigate sophisticated experimental techniques to improve wind tunnel measurement capabilities.

WORK FLEXIBILITY:

• Ability to work flexible hours due to occasional nonstandard testing periods in wind tunnel.
• Occasional travel to support offsite wind tunnel testing.

You'll have...

The minimum requirements we seek: 

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree or higher in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering,
• 3yrs of experience in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• 2 yrs. experience in aerodynamic development (analytically or experimentally based)
• A strong understanding of vehicle aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics.
• Self-directed, confident and resilient individual with excellent personal communication skills.
• Excellent work planning, issue resolution skills

 Our preferred requirements: 

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Fluids Engineering
• 5 years plus experience in automotive aerodynamic development (analytically or experimentally based).
• 3+ years of experience in wind tunnel testing and/or experimental fluids testing methods
• Proficient in the application of wind tunnel experimental techniques.
• Proficient in the use of analytical tools including ANSA, ModeFrontier, Powerflow, CCM+, openFOAM, statistics.

 

What you’ll receive in return:

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