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Lead Engineering Technician | Vehicle Systems (Powertrain)

Ford · Palo Alto, CA

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Level
Manager
Team
Manufacturing
Base pay
$95k–$159k
Degree
Required (or equivalent experience)
Industry
Automotive
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A management manufacturing role at Ford (automotive) in Palo Alto, CA. Hands-on experience building and launching automotive products and vehicle prototyping.

They ask for
degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names
Tooling
Base pay
$95k–$159k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 277 other live manufacturing postings in California.

Base pay
In line with similar roles

Typical $109k–$153k, from 100 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Not stated

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Tooling 59%
  • ✓ New product launch 54%
  • Root cause 45%
  • Automation 35%
  • CATIA / NX 34%
  • Machining 33%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Ford

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
    • How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Ford in Palo Alto

6 other open roles at this site.

Full description from FordAs posted on their careers site.Show

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.

Ford’s Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company’s vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You’ll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

In this position...

The Lead Engineering Technician supports development and testing by leading hands-on build, rework, and testing activities across electric powertrain, thermal, and vehicle systems. This role will assemble and modify prototype hardware, prepare vehicles and test equipment, troubleshoot system issues, and document results. The technician lead will also coordinate daily work, train other technicians, and ensure builds and tests are completed safely and according to engineering instructions.

What you'll do...

  • •Lead daily build and test activities across powertrain, thermal, and vehicle systems while providing hands-on direction to technicians.
  • •Assemble, install, modify, and rework electric powertrain components, thermal systems, and related vehicle hardware.
  • •Support component, subsystem, and vehicle-level testing, including test setup, instrumentation, operation, and teardown.
  • •Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and thermal system issues and coordinate findings with Engineering.
  • •Take ownership of complex prototype builds and rework when standard procedures are still being developed.
  • •Read and interpret work instructions, mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, harness diagrams, and test procedures.
  • •Build and design fixtures, tooling, fluid loops, instrumentation, and test equipment from loosely defined requirements.
  • •Inspect components and assemblies using precision measurement and diagnostic equipment.
  • •Train technicians, assign daily work, and ensure clear communication during project and shift handoffs.
  • •Document vehicle configurations, completed work, test results, issues, and deviations.
  • •Maintain test vehicles, lab equipment, and shop areas in a safe and test-ready condition.
  • •Ability to track work through Jira and other Atlassian tools.
  • •Maintain a strong understanding of electrical principles and automotive standards.

You'll have...

  • •Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
  • •Proficiency in prototype system builds, modifications, testing, and troubleshooting.
  • •Ability to lead while contributing to the work, setting priorities, guiding technicians, and maintaining accountability.
  • •Ability to translate engineering requirements, drawings, schematics, and procedures into executable work.
  • •Strong judgment, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills in a changing environment.
  • •Ability to communicate and document work status, findings, risks, configurations, and open issues.
  • •Ability to work safely and maintain an organized, efficient work environment.

Even better, you may have...

  • •Hands-on experience building and launching automotive products and vehicle prototyping
  • •Experience with Microsoft Office, Confluence, and Jira applications
  • •Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • •An eagerness to work in a fast paced cross-functional environment

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 work life that works for you, including:

  • •Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
  • •Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
  • •Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, 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.

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $95,300-$159,400.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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.

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