Fabrication & Aero Technician

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.

Product Creation and Industrialization (PC&I) brings together Ford's vehicle, electric, digital and design teams with our global manufacturing system. Working as one end-to-end organization, we turn ideas into high-quality vehicles, software and experiences across gas, hybrid and electric, designed around what customers need.

In this position...

The Aerodynamics Fabrication Technician will report to the Prototype Operations Manager and will support Advanced EV (ADVEV) development teams in two primary capacities:

Work at the direction of the Lead Aerodynamics Prototype Technician to support the Experimental Aerodynamics team in wind tunnel testing of new vehicle models. You will support test article build and wind tunnel test technical support. Test articles are typically full-scale vehicle models consisting of a steel frame fitted with fabricated, machined and 3D printed components representing the exterior surfaces of the vehicle. Components are a combination of wood, high density foam, 3D printed plastics, composite layups, and various fabricated parts and brackets. Each model is fully instrumented to capture air pressure and other data. Test articles may also be prototype vehicles outfitted and adapted for wind tunnel testing.

Work at the direction of the Prototype Operations Manager to support teams beyond Experimental Aerodynamics with the development and testing of next generation electric vehicles. Utilize our in-house fabrication space, tools, and equipment to fabricate prototype parts, test articles, and test equipment. When required the Prototype Technician will also manage outsourcing of prototype production, whether internally within Ford or externally to approved vendors.

Work at the direction of the Lead Aerodynamics Prototype Technician to support the Experimental Aerodynamics team in wind tunnel testing of new vehicle models. You will support test article build and wind tunnel test technical support. Test articles are typically full-scale vehicle models consisting of a steel frame fitted with fabricated, machined and 3D printed components representing the exterior surfaces of the vehicle.

What you'll do...

• Adhere to safety procedures and training to ensure a healthy and safe work environment.
• Collaborate freely, honestly, and easily with an extended team to accomplish work objectives.
• Be open to changing priorities and flexible to changing assignments.
• Demonstrate a high level of responsibility and self-sufficiency as you manage your assignments.
• Use shop equipment to construct prototype parts, test articles, and test equipment. This includes manual lathes, manual mills, CNC mills, CNC routers, CNC water jet, CNC laser, sheet metal break and shear, iron worker, TIG/MIG welders, thermo-former, 3D printers, bandsaws, general woodworking equipment, spray finishing equipment, soldering and electronics assembly tools, vehicle lifts and garage equipment, and myriad hand tools.
• Fabricate and prepare parts for full-scale wind tunnel models.
• Perform basic automotive setup tasks such as alignments and part changes.
• Assemble and debug test equipment, hardware, and instrumentation systems. Design and build test fixtures and assembly tools.
• Help transport test articles, tools, and supplies to and from test locations.
• Work with vendors to support prototyping and testing efforts.
• Lift a minimum of 50 lbs.

What you'll do...

• Adhere to safety procedures and training to ensure a healthy and safe work environment.
• Collaborate freely, honestly, and easily with an extended team to accomplish work objectives.
• Be open to changing priorities and flexible to changing assignments.
• Demonstrate a high level of responsibility and self-sufficiency as you manage your assignments.
• Use shop equipment to construct prototype parts, test articles, and test equipment. This includes manual lathes, manual mills, CNC mills, CNC routers, CNC water jet, CNC laser, sheet metal break and shear, iron worker, TIG/MIG welders, thermo-former, 3D printers, bandsaws, general woodworking equipment, spray finishing equipment, soldering and electronics assembly tools, vehicle lifts and garage equipment, and myriad hand tools.
• Fabricate and prepare parts for full-scale wind tunnel models.
• Perform basic automotive setup tasks such as alignments and part changes.
• Assemble and debug test equipment, hardware, and instrumentation systems. Design and build test fixtures and assembly tools.
• Help transport test articles, tools, and supplies to and from test locations.
• Work with vendors to support prototyping and testing efforts.
• Lift a minimum of 50 lbs.