Design Manager Visa Sponsorship USA

Job Description

Design Manager, Ford Design (LL6) — Hybrid, United States

Help shape how the world moves next. As a Design Manager at Ford, you’ll lead a talented design team to create the next generation of vehicles and experiences—bringing customer insight, global trends, and bold creativity together from first sketch to production. You’ll report to a Chief Designer and collaborate across the business to deliver products people love.

Scope of work includes:

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)
• Commercial vehicles and vans
• Trucks and compact trucks
• Passenger vehicles and utilities
• Icons and luxury
• Emerging markets

What you’ll do

• Set direction and vision
• Partner with Marketing, Strategy, and Planning to define and prioritize the design portfolio.
• Translate customer insight and global trends into compelling design direction.
• Influence decisions on vehicle architecture, value-to-customer, UX, customer research, and cycle plans.
• Lead programs end-to-end
• Guide exterior/interior proposals from concept to production in 2D and 3D.
• Oversee clay, digital, scale, and full-size model development; lead market research model builds.
• Ensure sketch interpretation, model progress, and design quality meet timing and deliverables.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering and program teams to deliver feasible, high-quality products.
• Elevate the brand
• Ensure visual output aligns with Ford’s global design strategy and brand standards within cost and program constraints.
• Communicate and influence
• Present confidently to executive audiences; navigate ambiguity and facilitate decisions.
• Work cross-functionally with Corporate Senior Management, Strategy, Marketing, Engineering, Digital Media, and program teams.
• Build and lead the team
• Hire, coach, and inspire designers; set training and development plans.
• Handle performance reviews, salary planning, and employee counseling.
• Plan workloads and assignments; foster a healthy, engaged studio culture.

What you bring (required)

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or equivalent.
• 7+ years of automotive/transportation design experience, including production program delivery.
• Strong portfolio (PDF required) demonstrating exterior/interior creativity, exceptional sketching/rendering, and clear visual communication.
• Superior aesthetic judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think in 3D with refined proportion and form.
• Broad awareness of global automotive, consumer electronics, and cultural design trends.
• Outstanding collaboration and communication skills (visual, written, verbal); able to work independently and lead others.

Bonus points (preferred)

• Global interior design program experience.
• Working knowledge of exterior/interior manufacturing processes and materials.
• Passion for mobility, innovation, and global trends.
• Experience in creative cultures and large corporate settings.
• Skilled at managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs and presenting to executives.

Work style

• Hybrid role. If you’re within commuting distance of a Ford hub, expect to be onsite 4+ days per week.

Level, pay, and benefits

• Leadership Level: LL6
• Explore salary and benefits for this level: https://fordcareers.co/LL6SP1

Benefits include:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• Flexible family care days; paid parental leave; new parent ramp-up; subsidized backup childcare
• Family-building support (adoption, surrogacy reimbursement, fertility treatments)
• Vehicle discounts for employees and family; management lease programs
• Tuition assistance and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• Generous paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• PTO plus option to purchase additional vacation time

Visa, eligibility, and equal opportunity

• Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
• You must be legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility will be verified at hire.
• Ford is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
• If you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application due to a disability, call 1-888-336-0660 (U.S. only).

Reporting line

• This role reports to the Chief Designer.

Apply with confidence

• Don’t meet every single requirement? We still want to hear from you—your potential and perspective matter.
• Please include a PDF portfolio with your application.