
VME Manufacturing Engineer- Final Assembly
Ford · Dearborn, MI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $74k–$166k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 10 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Ford (automotive) in Dearborn, MI. Identify, develop, and deliver ICAs, PCAs, and PRAs for current model quality concerns and/or process/manufacturing related issues.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- FMEA, Control plans, Assembly lines, Tooling, CATIA / NX
- Base pay
- $74k–$166k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Michigan: typical posted base $81k–$166k. This one lists $74k–$166k.
Median of the low and high ends of 28 live postings that list pay, out of 83 manufacturing engineer openings in Michigan, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Michigan plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 82 other live manufacturing postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $81k–$162k, from 27 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ New product launch 61%
- ✓ Tooling 47%
- Lean 40%
- ✓ FMEA 33%
- Root cause 30%
- ✓ Team leadership 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Assembly lines, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
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
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Ford
We found 11 people at this company and state: 8 in this kind of role, 3 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 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.
Write to Rob → (free) - 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
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
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 Dearborn
30 other open roles at this site · 11 people we found in manufacturing roles at Ford.
- IVI & Audio Hardware Quality Supervisor · Quality · Supervisor
- Engineering Specialist- Controls · Controls
- Manufacturing Engineer-Package Attach/ Reflow Soldering · Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
- Launch Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Engineer- General Assembly · Manufacturing
Full description from FordAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
responsibilities
for minor programs and running changes at our assembly plants, and leading the implementation of tools/technologies/error proofing to improve quality and to resolve process/manufacturing related issues.
What you'll do...
- ◆Lead data driven and plant floor analysis of current model quality concerns and/or process/manufacturing related issues
- ◆Identify, develop, and deliver ICAs, PCAs, and PRAs for current model quality concerns and/or process/manufacturing related issues
- ◆Operate cross functionally with Plant Engineering, Product Development, Vehicle Program Engineers, Quality Offices, STA, VME FAE Core and Manufacturing Program Teams, and other groups throughout the company
- ◆Engage SMEs and groups/engineers within different teams (FAE and otherwise) for assistance in driving Quality
- ◆Utilize data from VRT health charts to prioritize response actions that drive largest R/1000 reductions
- ◆Lead report outs to management
- ◆Represent VME FAE at VRT functions, supporting as required
- ◆Lead implementation of tools/technologies/error proofing to improve quality and to resolve process/manufacturing related issues
- ◆Manage VME
responsibilities
for minor programs and running changes at assembly plants which include, but are not limited to, assessing manufacturing feasibility, estimating facility and tooling costs, updating engineering concerns, and writing of purchase orders.
- ◆Perform in-plant trials and prove-out associated with engineering concerns, MCR actions, alerts and PSOs.
- ◆Support GSPAS, PFMEA and control plan updates, delta audits, GERT investigations, ECN maintenance, change control and VME initiatives tied to current model programs
- ◆Provide support for containment on stop ships
- ◆Assist with incoming quality
- ◆Support daily quality meetings, weekly regional meetings, plant VQRs, and warranty binning meetings
- ◆Support corporate labor initiatives
You'll have...
- ◆Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent work experience
- ◆Min of 3 years in Automotive Manufacturing.
- ◆Experience in Automotive Manufacturing Engineering
- ◆Experience w/automotive assembly tooling, processes, and facilities
- ◆Experience with Error proofing, vision equipment and fastening technologies.
- ◆Must be open to travel as needed to support our North American Assembly Plants and the FAE quality team members who are stationed at these plants
- ◆Strong Project Management skills and result-oriented mindset
- ◆Strong computer skills (Excel, Power Point, etc.) (Prefered)
- ◆3D CAD review abilities (Teamcenter, VisMockup, CATIA, or equivalent) (Preferred)
- ◆Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills
- ◆Understanding of PFMEA and failure mode avoidance principles (Preferred)
- ◆Knowledge in the following Ford software systems: FEDE, WERS, GSPAS/APT, Teamcenter. (Preferred)
- ◆Experience in one or more of the following areas: Electrical Distribution Systems, Interior Ornamentation, Exterior Ornamentation, Glass Cells, Water Testing, Chassis, Powertrain, and/or Tire and Wheel Assembly. (Preferred)
- ◆Ability to work in stressful situations within timing constraints.
- ◆Ability to resolve problems in a timely manner and escalate hard rocks
- ◆Ability to be self-motivated (minimal direct supervision).
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 6-8 and ranges from $74,300-$166,200.,
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 available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verificatio
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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.
As part of our Manufacturing team, you’ll help build the world-class, state-of-the-art smart vehicles we're known for. In our plants around the world, we’re constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You'll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.
In this position...
VME FAE is responsible for driving current model quality and ensuring future programs are launched with zero defects and zero warranty at Job 1. The team is responsible for driving current model quality concerns (reducing R/1000), managing VME
