The Restraints Quality D&R Engineer is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of occupant protection components—such as airbags (driver, passenger, side, curtain, knee), seatbelts, steering columns, and crash sensors. This role ensures that these safety-critical systems not only meet rigorous design intent and functional requirements but also adhere to the highest quality standards throughout the Global Product Development System (GPDS) cycle.

Required Technical Competencies

• Safety Standards:

Deep understanding of FMVSS 208 (Occupant Crash Protection) and FMVSS 214 (Side Impact Protection).

• Ford Systems:

Proficiency in WERS,GPDS, and FEDE

• Engineering Tools:

Familiarity with Teamcenter (Vismockup) for packaging and CAD review.

• Quality Tools:

Mastery of APQP, PPAP, SPC (Statistical Process Control), and Robustness Linkage.

Professional Attributes

• Precision-Oriented:

Given the "zero-fail" nature of restraint systems, an uncompromising attention to detail is essential.

• Collaborative:

Ability to influence cross-functional teams, including Crash Safety, Interior Trim, Body-in-White, and Purchasing.

• Resilient:

Capable of managing high-pressure situations, particularly during the launch phase where rapid problem-solving is required to prevent production downtime.

DISCLAIMER:
Ford Motor Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, as we are committed with a diverse workforce, and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran and basis of disability.

Key Responsibilities1. Component Design and Releasing

• System Ownership:

Lead the design, development, and release of restraint components using Ford’s internal systems (e.g., WERS - Worldwide Engineering Release System).

• Milestone Management:

Manage deliverables through the GPDS landscape, ensuring all engineering signs-offs (e.g., FEC, LoC) are completed on time for vehicle launches.

• CAD & Packaging:

Collaborate with Studio and Body Engineering to ensure restraint components are packaged correctly within the vehicle interior while maintaining deployment clearance and ergonomic requirements.

2. Quality and Robustness

• Preventative Quality:

Lead the development of DFMEA(Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) to identify and mitigate risks early in the design phase.

• SCCAF Management:

Identify and manage Significant/Critical Characteristics (CC/SC) to ensure supplier manufacturing processes remain capable of producing parts to specification.

• Problem Solving:

Utilize Ford’s G8D (Global 8 Discipline) process and Six Sigma methodologies to resolve complex technical issues, whether they occur during prototype builds or in the field.

3. Validation and Compliance

• Regulatory Alignment:

Ensure all components comply with global safety regulations, including FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards), ECE, and CNCAP requirements.

• Testing Oversight:

Define and execute Design Verification (DV) and Production Validation (PV) plans. This includes overseeing component-level testing (e.g., deployment at temperature extremes, environmental aging) and supporting full-vehicle crash testing.

• Data Analysis:

Interpret sled test and crash test data to refine component performance and ensure occupant injury criteria are met.

• 4. Supplier and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Supplier Management:

Act as the primary technical point of contact for Tier 1 safety suppliers (e.g., Autoliv, ZF, Joyson). Monitor supplier APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) progress and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) readiness.

• Plant Support:

Provide on-site engineering support at Ford Assembly Plants (Vehicle Operations) during Pre-Program (TT, PP, MP1) builds to resolve fit-and-finish or assembly-related issues.