Aero Experimental Methods Engineer (Wind Tunnel/CFD)

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we're all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

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 prefer candidates able to work ONSITE from our Dearborn, MI office.

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 strength and excellence in developing and the most advanced CAE and physical test methods to achieve design and development of the most iconic products.

This is critical to the objective of creating the future of world-class connected BEVs and continued advancement of efficient ICE vehicles. Ford is transforming our global automotive business to scale EVs, strengthen operations, and unlock value through advanced products developed with the most advanced aerodynamic tools and methods in the industry.

We will deliver at the speed of a startup, with the deep expertise of high-volume production. This is the opportunity to have a major impact on a growing Vehicle Engineering (VE) organization within Fords primary product development group called the Ford Industrial Platform (IP).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Growing and developing an Aero Experimental/Wind Tunnel methods with talents and motivated team, supporting world-class global Aerodynamics organization strategy.
• Leading global experimental aerodynamics testing methods, techniques standard methodologies and innovation towards improving test efficiency, agility, quality, and data clarity.
• Maintain, deploy, and use diverse experimental techniques, and subsequently post-process robust data sets to inform engineering decisions for programs and facilities via summarized findings and guidance.
• Full vehicle instrumentation for wind tunnel tests and/or track testing.
• Assist various global teams inside Ford with flow/other experimental measurement techniques.
• Lead wind tunnel and aero program teams' interface, including working closely with global wind tunnel facilities to establish mutually agreeable procedures and processes to ensure data accuracy.
• Lead Wind Tunnel facility and equipment order planning and request as Aero expert for improvements and new techniques needs from Aero team perspective, such as data acquisition, instrumentation, etc.
• Prepare data, reports, and presentations to support program teams and wind tunnel teams.
• Develop and implement new methodologies and tools.
• Train/support the attribute implementation team in the deployment of new tools.
• Continue to investigate sophisticated experimental techniques to improve wind tunnel measurement capabilities - e.g. PIV, LDA, Laser Vibrometry... etc.
• Ability to work flexible hours due to occasional nonstandard testing periods in wind tunnel.
• Occasional travel to support offsite wind tunnel testing.
• Stay up to date on global internal and external Aero wind tunnel activities/developments.
• Lead Aero wind tunnel discussions and communications globally to ensure appropriate information is cascaded and procedures and processes are well established.
• Day to Day resource planning (Personnel, facilities, properties) to support Aero developments in global Wind Tunnels.
• Ability to work flexible hours due to occasional 2nd shift testing in wind tunnel.
• Occasional travel to support offsite wind tunnel testing.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements:

• MSc in Aerodynamics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field inclusive of Fluid Dynamics or Thermodynamics.
• 5+ years of experience with sub-sonic wind tunnel testing methods development, aerodynamic data analysis and/or aerodynamic design development.
• Self-directed, confident, and resilient individual with excellent personal communication skills.
• Excellent work planning, issue resolution skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in aerospace/aeronautical engineering.
• 3+ years of experience with CFD methods development.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative experimental aerodynamics methodologies, with exposure to multiple techniques.
• Knowledge of Rolling Road ground planes (Single-belt & Five-belt).
• Knowledge of Thermal Systems Engineering and test methods for ICE and EVs.
• Knowledge in error and uncertainty analysis.
• Experience racing or another high paced environment.
• Excellent understanding of fluid dynamics, including boundary layer theory, attached and separated flows, vortex behaviors and other flow phenomena.
• Familiarity with geometry creation, simplification, and data management within CAD software, preferably CATIA and/or NX.

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 the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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.

For a detailed look at our benefits, click here:

https://corporate.ford.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en-us/documents/careers/2024-benefits-and-comp-GSR-sal-plan-1.pdf

This position is a range of salary grades 7-8.

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 committed to a culturally diverse workforce. 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.

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