Director, Hardware Engineering – Integration

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Michigan.

📋 Description

• Oversee the design and validation of end effectors, grippers, and tooling for Ford's most utilized robotic applications.

• Take responsibility for edge compute hardware and enclosures that connect plant equipment to the Ford platform.

• Develop and maintain RoboGym test cells to qualify third-party robots.

• Establish standards for cables and wire harnesses while creating in-house harnessing capabilities.

• Define ATP's commissioning process, which includes risk assessment, virtual commissioning, factory acceptance, site acceptance, and plant handover.

• Integrate robots and cells with PLC, safety PLC, HMI, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and OPC UA.

• Lower deployment costs and cycle times through standardized designs, reusable control templates, and lessons-learned feedback loops.

• Educate and certify plant and ATP engineers.

• Establish readiness standards for devices and suppliers, encompassing drivers, manifests, data interfaces, and safety documentation.

• Align suppliers with widely accepted interface standards such as VDA 5050.

• Design ATP hardware for manufacturing and scaling in collaboration with TDM.

• Set up functional safety gates and require comprehensive risk assessments and validated safety functions.

• Collaborate with plant safety, controls, and cybersecurity teams.

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering and commissioning team.

• Transform external integrator work into in-house capabilities at Ford.

• Establish team structure, standard operating procedures, and career development pathways.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Controls Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Over 12 years of experience in automation, robotics, or industrial equipment engineering, including at least 5 years in leadership roles.

• Practical experience in designing robot cells and end-of-arm tooling, as well as commissioning them in a production setting.

• Experience with PLC and controls integration, particularly with Rockwell and Siemens systems.

• Familiarity with industrial networks, including PROFINET and EtherNet/IP.

• Solid understanding of robot functional safety standards, including ISO 10218 and ISO 13849, along with risk assessment practices.

• Experience in design for manufacturing, transitioning hardware from prototype to production.

• Proven ability to lead teams on the plant floor and collaborate with plant leadership during launch phases.

🏝️ Benefits

• Generous PTO.

• Retirement, savings, and stock investment plans.

• Incentive compensation.

• Opportunities for professional and personal development.

• Recognition.