Description
In this position…
This role owns the end-to-end product lifecycle—from trend-spotting and ideation to hardware/software integration, supplier management, and global market launch.
The successful candidate will navigate the friction between agile consumer tech lifecycles and traditional automotive development, delivering high-margin, highly desired electronic accessories (e.g., dash cams, rear-seat entertainment, smart storage, connected IoT devices).
This leader will ensure that all products not only delight the customer but also meet Ford’s rigorous standards for safety, durability, and software integration.
What you’ll do…
• Trend Forecasting: Monitor global consumer electronics trends (e.g., CES innovations, mobile tech, gaming, smart devices) and translate them into a compelling automotive accessory roadmap.
• Business Case Development: Own the P&L for the CE accessories portfolio. Develop robust business cases, pricing strategies, and take-rate forecasts for both Factory-Installed Options (FIO) and Dealer-Installed Options (DIO).
• Lifecycle Synchronization: Develop strategies to decouple fast-moving consumer electronics lifecycles (6–12 months) from traditional vehicle development cycles (3–4 years), ensuring Ford vehicles always offer fresh, relevant tech.
• Requirements Definition: Write comprehensive Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) that bridge consumer tech features with automotive-grade requirements (e.g., extreme temperatures, vibration, crash safety).
• Ecosystem Integration: Champion the software integration of accessories with the vehicle’s infotainment system (SYNC/Android Automotive) and the FordPass mobile app, ensuring a seamless, single-ecosystem user experience.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead matrixed teams across Electrical Engineering, Software Development, Vehicle Integration, UI/UX, and Automotive Safety to deliver products on time and on budget.
• Strategic Partnerships: Identify, negotiate, and collaborate with leading consumer electronics brands, Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers, and Contract Manufacturers (CMs) to co-develop or white-label innovative hardware and software.
• Licensing & IP: Work with legal and business development teams to manage software licensing, data privacy compliance, and intellectual property integration for third-party tech.
• Launch Strategy: Develop GTM plans in partnership with Vehicle Program Management, Marketing, and Sales to bundle CE accessories into high-value vehicle packages or standalone retail offerings.
• Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: Define the OTA roadmap for connected accessories, ensuring hardware can receive feature enhancements, bug fixes, and security patches post-purchase.
• Performance Analytics: Monitor customer telemetry, app store reviews, and warranty data to drive continuous product improvement and inform next-generation accessory designs.
You’ll have…
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, product design, or business. Master’s degree or MBA preferred or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Experience managing products that require companion mobile apps, cloud connectivity, and physical hardware integration.
• Familiarity with automotive electrical architectures (e.g., CAN bus, Ethernet), automotive-grade testing standards (AEC-Q100), and vehicle integration processes.
• Deep understanding of hardware development lifecycles (EVT, DVT, PVT) combined with modern Agile software development methodologies.
• Strong intuition for user experience, specifically regarding driver distraction guidelines (e.g., NHTSA) and seamless human-machine interfaces (HMI).
• Proven ability to manage complex relationships with external tech companies and contract manufacturers.
• A relentless drive to challenge the automotive status quo and bring “Silicon Valley” speed and innovation to vehicle accessories.
• Comfort operating in a highly matrixed environment, successfully bridging the cultural and operational gaps between software developers, hardware engineers, and commercial teams.
• Dedication to creating “surprise and delight” moments for the customer through flawless tech integration.
Even better, you may have…
• Fortune 100 Consumer Electronics (e.g., Apple, Google, Samsung)
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 leadership level 5 and ranges from $167,200-$316,600.
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/LL5
Visa sponsorship is 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. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid
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