Project management Jobs in Detroit, MI

Ford Design Technical Operations Project Manager

Ford Design Technical Operations (DTO) turns design vision into reality through an obsession with detail and the art of the possible. As an integral part of Ford Global Design, DTO enables theme feasibility, surface geometry, and production-launch appearance quality across Ford's global vehicle portfolio.

The Global Design Delivery Project Manager is critical to the quality delivery of the Ford Design studio. This role defines and leads the governance, timing, and cross-functional alignment approval path required to move vehicle designs through key appearance approvals and executive decision points with senior leaders. Curious and creative, with an appreciation for Design and understanding of complex timing, this individual is fundamental to the success of the Design.

Working across Global Design and its Engineering, Program, Marketing, Manufacturing, and other cross-functional partners, this individual brings structure and visibility to complex programs, establishes clear paths to decision, identifies risks and dependencies, and ensures Design leadership has the information needed to make timely decisions alongside their senior leadership partners.

The ideal candidate is curious, highly collaborative, comfortable operating in ambiguity, and able to connect detailed program execution with the broader Design and business objectives.

Responsibilities

As a Project Manager, Global and Design Deliverables, you will:

Lead the Global Design Studio Appearance Approval governance process, including Design Quality Operating System, presentation template development, strategy, operating cadence, executive reviews, documentation / archiving, and follow-through on decisions, actions and assignments.

Partner with Design leadership to define approval pathways, decision points, roles and responsibilities and escalation mechanisms across all Global programs.

Creates, updates and manages agendas and desired outcomes for all Global Studio executive presentations / events.

Manage and integrate Design timing, milestones, deliverables and approval requirements across all vehicle programs.

Create space for Design input into cross-functional program timing and ensure proposed recommendations appropriately incorporate Design requirements and best practices.

Plan and facilitate senior-level Appearance Approval forums, ensuring leaders have clear understanding of context, recommendations, risks, and decisions required.

Represent Global Design in cross-functional governance forums and ensure Design requirements and perspectives are incorporated into enterprise processes, templates, and program plans.

Ensure Global Design Studio enrollment in recommended processes and templates.

Develop and maintain lookahead visibility of key Design milestones, approvals, forums, and required approvals to support leadership decision-making.

Continuously improve Design governance and delivery processes to simplify workflows, improve decision velocity, clarify accountability, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.

Mentor DTO Program PMAs on overall Design QOS process & procedures, presentation templates, program timing and associated Design deliverables, Design approval review cadence.

Qualifications

You'll have...

• Bachelor's degree in industrial design, transportation design, mechanical engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of experience in project management, program management, product development, or business operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional work with multiple stakeholders, opinions and competing priorities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including experience preparing and facilitating discussions with Executive leaders.
• Familiarity with vehicle development processes and GPDS milestones.
• Hands on experience in narrowing product scope and facilitating decisions on complex products, including leading and presenting in ELT decision-making forums.
• Big picture mindset and passion for innovative, breakthrough, and class leading products.
• Experience working within or closely partnering with a Design, Engineering, Product Development, or similarly creative/technical organization.
• Familiarity and experience with Design studio procedures, progression appearance development and approval processes.

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 builderor 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 leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500 - $175,000.

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:

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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.

Job Info

• Job Identification 70905
• Job Category PD Operations and Quality
• Posting Date 09/24/2026, 10:42 PM
• Degree Level Associate Degree or equivalent
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 2100 Carroll Shelby Way West, Dearborn, MI, 48124, US (Hybrid)
• Preferred Degree Associate of Arts and Sciences

2100 Carroll Shelby Way West, Dearborn, MI, 48124, US