Ergonomics, Industrial Design Engineer

In this position...

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Plant Ergonomist to provide technical ergonomics leadership at Chicago Assembly Plant. This position partners with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Safety, Medical, Labor Affairs, Material Planning & Logistics, and plant leadership to identify, assess, and reduce ergonomic risk across manufacturing operations.

The Plant Ergonomist is responsible for supporting employee well-being, improving workstation design, reducing musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk, supporting new model launches, workstation readiness, medical data analysis, rebalance, and driving continuous improvement through application of Ford ergonomics standards, analytics, and assessment tools. The successful candidate will serve as the plant subject matter expert for ergonomics and lead proactive and reactive risk reduction activities across all operating areas.

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. As part of our Manufacturing team, you'll help build the world-class, state-of-the-art smart vehicles we're known for. In our plants around the world, we're constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You'll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.

What you'll do...

• Ergonomics Program Leadership

• Work cooperatively with Plant Ergonomics Program.

• Chair, facilitate, and be an active member of the the Local Ergonomics Committee (LEC).

• Assist in developing and supporting annual ergonomics objectives and monitor performance metrics.

• Provide regular ergonomics updates to plant leadership and staff organizations.

• Track ergonomic issues and corrective actions through issue closure utilizing ErgoRX2.0.

• Risk Assessment and Issue Resolution

• Conduct ergonomic assessments using Ford-approved tools and methodologies.

• Analyze injury, medical referral, and first-time office visit data to identify trends and high-risk workstations.

• Work with LEC team to investigate ergonomics-related concerns and develop corrective actions.

• Collaborate with production supervisors, operators, UAW representatives, and medical personnel to resolve workplace concerns.

• Validate effectiveness of implemented ergonomic improvements.

• Manufacturing and Launch Support

• Support Manufacturing Engineering and Industrial Engineering in workstation, tooling, and equipment design reviews.

• Participate in virtual builds, process reviews, workstation readiness reviews, and launch activities.

• Review facility, tooling, and equipment installations to verify compliance with Ford ergonomics requirements.

• Work with hourly and salaried LEC team members to provide ergonomics input during line rebalances, process changes, and capacity improvements.

• Support ergonomics readiness for new product launches and major facility modifications.

• Provide leadership within the LEC to deliver ergonomics within our Quality Operating System requirements.

• Collaborate with Plant Vehicle Teams to generate facility & tooling costs, improve quality, and support rebalances.

• Evaluate tooling, workstations, and MP&L delivery methods for ergonomic compliance. In addition, support tooling, racking, and other buyoffs at vendor facilities.

• Identify "Ergonomic High Hurts" from New Model launches and implement Prevent Reoccurrence Actions into future programs.

• Data Analytics and Technology

• Utilize Ford-approved ergonomics assessment and simulation tools to identify and prioritize risks.

• Leverage technologies such as Inseer, Teamcenter, Process Simulate Human, JACK, NIOSH, Liberty Mutual, and other approved assessment methods.

• Analyze ergonomic data and develop recommendations for risk reduction and operational improvement.

• Support implementation of emerging technologies and digital ergonomics solutions.

• Training and Employee Engagement

• Develop and deliver ergonomics awareness training for salaried and hourly employees to develop Ergonomics Activators.

• Promote employee reporting and participation in ergonomics improvement activities.

• Work with LEC members to develop and maintain a plant ergonomics dojo.

• Work with LEC members, the safety team, and the communications team to develop and maintain an ergonomics campaign.

• Support employee onboarding and ergonomic awareness initiatives.

• Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and employee well-being through ergonomic design.

• Benchmark best practices across Ford manufacturing operations.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence activities.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to sustain ergonomic improvements.

• Lead workstation readiness reviews at all relevant workstations and lead the digital assessment process

What you'll do...

• Ergonomics Program Leadership

• Work cooperatively with Plant Ergonomics Program.

• Chair, facilitate, and be an active member of the the Local Ergonomics Committee (LEC).

• Assist in developing and supporting annual ergonomics objectives and monitor performance metrics.

• Provide regular ergonomics updates to plant leadership and staff organizations.

• Track ergonomic issues and corrective actions through issue closure utilizing ErgoRX2.0.

• Risk Assessment and Issue Resolution

• Conduct ergonomic assessments using Ford-approved tools and methodologies.

• Analyze injury, medical referral, and first-time office visit data to identify trends and high-risk workstations.

• Work with LEC team to investigate ergonomics-related concerns and develop corrective actions.

• Collaborate with production supervisors, operators, UAW representatives, and medical personnel to resolve workplace concerns.

• Validate effectiveness of implemented ergonomic improvements.

• Manufacturing and Launch Support

• Support Manufacturing Engineering and Industrial Engineering in workstation, tooling, and equipment design reviews.

• Participate in virtual builds, process reviews, workstation readiness reviews, and launch activities.

• Review facility, tooling, and equipment installations to verify compliance with Ford ergonomics requirements.

• Work with hourly and salaried LEC team members to provide ergonomics input during line rebalances, process changes, and capacity improvements.

• Support ergonomics readiness for new product launches and major facility modifications.

• Provide leadership within the LEC to deliver ergonomics within our Quality Operating System requirements.

• Collaborate with Plant Vehicle Teams to generate facility & tooling costs, improve quality, and support rebalances.

• Evaluate tooling, workstations, and MP&L delivery methods for ergonomic compliance. In addition, support tooling, racking, and other buyoffs at vendor facilities.

• Identify "Ergonomic High Hurts" from New Model launches and implement Prevent Reoccurrence Actions into future programs.

• Data Analytics and Technology

• Utilize Ford-approved ergonomics assessment and simulation tools to identify and prioritize risks.

• Leverage technologies such as Inseer, Teamcenter, Process Simulate Human, JACK, NIOSH, Liberty Mutual, and other approved assessment methods.

• Analyze ergonomic data and develop recommendations for risk reduction and operational improvement.

• Support implementation of emerging technologies and digital ergonomics solutions.

• Training and Employee Engagement

• Develop and deliver ergonomics awareness training for salaried and hourly employees to develop Ergonomics Activators.

• Promote employee reporting and participation in ergonomics improvement activities.

• Work with LEC members to develop and maintain a plant ergonomics dojo.

• Work with LEC members, the safety team, and the communications team to develop and maintain an ergonomics campaign.

• Support employee onboarding and ergonomic awareness initiatives.

• Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and employee well-being through ergonomic design.

• Benchmark best practices across Ford manufacturing operations.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence activities.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to sustain ergonomic improvements.

• Lead workstation readiness reviews at all relevant workstations and lead the digital assessment process