Product Development Technical Manager - Electrical Distribution System

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

In this position...

The Product Development Technical Manager – Wiring is a key technical leadership role responsible for delivering wiring systems excellence across Ford’s global product portfolio. This leader sets the strategy to deliver quality, cost, and programs through strong technical acumen, disciplined processes, and aligned team execution.

This role leads multiple functional teams and partners cross-functionally to ensure robust wiring requirements, standards, tools, and validation processes that enable flawless program execution and product sign-off. The Technical Manager also defines and executes the long-term wiring strategy, aligning to Ford+ priorities and evolving industry trends.

This position requires a leader with deep technical knowledge who also demonstrates Ford’s expected leadership behaviors while building a high-performing, inclusive, and accountable team culture.

What you'll do...

Deliver Results with Excellence (Quality, Cost, Delivery)

• Lead, coach, and develop three functional teams (Technical Specialists, Campaign Prevention, EDS Tools), fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence

• Drive disciplined problem-solving (3L5W) to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and ensure prevent recurrence actions

• Ensure compliance with Ford standards, regulatory requirements, and safety expectations to mitigate risk and protect the customer and the business

Technical Mastery and Functional Excellence

• Own and continuously improve wiring foundation documents, including requirements, standards, design rules, checklists, and validation methods

• Ensure technical rigor, standardization, and reuse across programs to improve efficiency and reduce complexity

• Serve as a technical leader and escalation point for critical wiring issues

Process Discipline and Tool Leadership

• Lead strategy, selection, and lifecycle management of wiring design and validation tools, ensuring alignment with Ford’s CAD/PLM ecosystem

• Drive standard work, process adoption, and global consistency of EDS tools and methodologies across Ford and supplier teams

Collaboration and Enterprise Leadership

• Work across Product Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Engineering, Quality, Field Operations, and IT to ensure alignment and integration of wiring solutions

• Influence without authority to remove barriers, drive decisions, and ensure program readiness and successful product sign-off

• Represent wiring in enterprise forums, ensuring risks are clearly communicated and managed

Strategy & Innovation

• Define and execute the multi-year wiring technical strategy and roadmap aligned to enterprise priorities

• Identify and integrate emerging technologies, automation, and digital tools to improve speed, quality, and cost

• Build organizational capability through talent development, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning

You'll have...

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred)

• 15+ years of experience in automotive wiring systems / Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) and product development

• Strong understanding of wiring design, validation, and integration within vehicle systems

• Experience with engineering tools and systems (e.g., CAD, PLM, wiring design and validation tools)

Leadership and Ford OS Behaviors

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams; fosters aninclusive, people-first environment

• Strong enterprise mindset; able to balance functional excellence with program and business needs

• Proven ability to drive results through others, manage ambiguity, and make data-driven decisions

• Effective communicator with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization

Business and Operational Acumen

• Experience managing budgets, suppliers, and external partners

• Strong problem-solving skills with experience in structured methodologies (e.g., 3L5W, root cause analysis)<