Manager – Automation Technology Research

Manager – Automation Technology Research

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world - together. At Ford, we're all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

Ford's Research and Advanced Engineering team takes new ideas from theory to reality. Every day, we develop advanced energy management and propulsion technologies, create cutting-edge materials and manufacturing processes, and curate world-class cabin experiences that redefine what it means to drive a Ford.

In this position...

As the Manager of Automation Technologies Research , you will join Ford's Research & Advanced Engineering team as an innovative and visionary leader. You will lead the Robotics & Automation Research team - a multidisciplinary group of experts focused on applied research and development. This team's work enables robots to operate with greater autonomy and robustness by developing scalable perception and motion-control solutions that integrate with diverse sets of hardware.

This pivotal role will be responsible for defining and executing the strategic direction for robotics and automation research within Ford, focusing on groundbreaking technologies with a 3-to-5-year impact horizon. The successful candidate will also cultivate and manage key University Alliances to explore long-term research initiatives beyond the 5-year timeframe, ensuring alignment with Ford's future business vision. This role will lead a small, high-performing team of roboticists and researchers, empowering them to rapidly develop and demonstrate proof-of-concept hardware and software solutions that showcase the art of the possible in automotive and mobility applications. A critical aspect of this role will be to build and maintain strong relationships with internal downstream customers, such as Manufacturing Technology Development, to ensure research outcomes are effectively matured and transitioned for production implementation.

Your leadership will directly contribute to the future generation of automation systems, enabling new capabilities for innovative, revenue-generating vehicle features and reducing cost and complexity in manufacturing. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners in Hardware, Software, and Product to define requirements, drive technical direction, and outline technology roadmaps for future programs.

You'll have...

• Master's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering,or related foreign equivalency Degree
• 7+ years of experience in robotics and automation research or development, with a proven track record of innovation and impactful contributions.
• 3+ years of experience leading and managing technical teams, including direct supervision of researchers or engineers.
• 2+ years of experience in at least two of the following areas: robot perception (e.g., computer vision, LiDAR processing), robot control, motion planning, machine learning for robotics, human-robot interaction, or autonomous systems.
• 1+ years of experience robotics software development (e.g., ROS, C++, Python) and experience with simulation environments.

Even better, you may have...

• Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Strong publication record in leading robotics and AI conferences (e.g., ICRA, IROS, RSS, NeurIPS, CVPR).
• Experience managing university research collaborations and a track record of securing external research funding.
• Familiarity with automotive industry trends and applications of robotics and automation in manufacturing, logistics, or future mobility solutions.
• Experience in developing quick proof-of-concept systems from ideation to functional demonstration, involving both hardware and software integration.
  Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, from technical experts to executive leadership.

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.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here :

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

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 #LI-JS1

What you'll do...

• Strategic Vision & Roadmap : Develop, articulate, and drive the comprehensive vision and strategic roadmap for robotics and automation research at Ford, targeting next-generation automation technologies for deployment within a 3-to-5-year horizon. This includes identifying emerging trends, technologies, and potential disruptive innovations in the field.
• University Alliances & Long-Term Research : Establish, nurture, and expand strategic partnerships with leading universities and research institutions globally. Direct collaborative research projects focused on robotics and automation concepts that are beyond the 5-year timeframe, ensuring these alliances generate foundational knowledge and intellectual property aligned with Ford's long-term business direction and vision. Ford has existing partnerships, such as with the University of Michigan for robotics research, which includes a dedicated Ford research lab on campus.
• Customer Engagement & Technology Transition : Maintain and establish strong relationships with key internal downstream customers, such as Manufacturing Technology Development, to understand their needs and facilitate the maturation and seamless transition of robotics and automation technologies from research into their development pipelines for eventual production implementation.
• Team Leadership & Development : Directly supervise, mentor, and inspire a talented team of roboticists and researchers. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and rapid prototyping, enabling the team to quickly develop hardware and software proof-of-concepts to demonstrate feasibility and impact.
• Technical Excellence & Innovation : Guide the team in conducting cutting-edge research in areas such as advanced perception, manipulation, mobile robotics, human-robot interaction, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) for robotics, and autonomous systems. Oversee the design, development, and testing of robotic prototypes and experimental systems.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration : Collaborate effectively with internal Ford teams across product development, manufacturing, advanced engineering, and business units to translate research outcomes into tangible opportunities and to understand future needs.
• Intellectual Property & Publications : Drive the creation of intellectual property through patents and contribute to the scientific community through publications in top-tier conferences and journals.
• Resource Management : Manage project budgets, resources, and timelines efficiently to ensure research objectives are met.