Ford Motor Company · 12 hours ago
Specialist PDM Data Architect
Dearborn, MI
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$63K/yr - $107K/yrFord Motor Company is a global leader in automotive manufacturing and innovation. They are seeking a Specialist PDM Data Architect who will act as the primary technical bridge between Ford Engineering and Marketing, focusing on creating and maintaining lightweight 3D models for various applications. The role involves managing complex CAD data, ensuring data accuracy, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to support digital marketing efforts.
TransportationManufacturingAutomotiveAutonomous Vehicles
No H1B
Responsibilities
CAD Data Harvesting & Pipeline Management: Data extraction by navigating Teamenter engineering, package raw engineering files into usable datasets
Graphics & Materials Procurement: Badges, instrument clusters, UI screens, decals, logos, color/materials design physical and electronic samples
Quality Assurance & PDM Maintenance: Perform "spot-checks" on PDMs (Product Data Models) verifying visual and technical completeness
Technical Support & Innovation
Data Preparation & Optimization: Convert complex engineering CAD data into high-quality, lightweight 3D models using 3DEXCITE DeltaGen and Autodesk Maya
Configurability Management: Build and maintain complex logic structures within data models to ensure they accurately reflect all possible vehicle combinations (trim levels, regional variants, and optional equipment)
Lifecycle Maintenance: Continuously update existing data models to reflect "running changes" and engineering updates throughout the vehicle's development and production phases
Document Analysis: Review and interpret Automotive Program documents, including engineering Program Direction (PDL), Build Lists, Color & Materials (C&M) design sheets, and Order Guides, to ensure the digital model matches real-world specifications
Asset Creation: Perform modeling, UV unwrapping, and layout adjustments in Maya to fix broken CAD data and optimize models for real-time rendering
Texture & Graphic Development: Use Photoshop and Illustrator to create, modify, and apply texture maps, decals, and perforation patterns to digital assets
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the visualization team to solve everyday workflow bottlenecks and contribute to the evolution of the team’s data pipeline
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Digital Media, Industrial Design, Computer Animation, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience in 3D data preparation
Proficiency in Teamcenter Engineering, Digital Buck, and PLM/DAM systems
Strong working knowledge of Autodesk Maya (import verification/modeling) and DeltaGen
Familiarity with CAD formats, and engineering-to-CGI conversion pipelines
Excellent interpersonal skills for navigating supplier relationships and internal Ford departments (Design, Engineering, Public Affairs)
Ability to manage hundreds of digital assets and physical samples simultaneously with high attention to detail
Understanding of vehicle components (powertrain, interior trim, decals) and the ability to read automotive Order Guides
Strong critical thinking with ability to analyze complex data sets and determine the most efficient way to build a digital product
High level of accuracy in interpreting automotive documentation to ensure correct representation of digital data
Proven ability to adapt and switch between multiple projects in a fast-paced automotive environment
Ability to work independently on complex data tasks while remaining a proactive contributor to team-wide deliveries and solutions
Experience in scene tree management, variants, and staging in DeltaGen
Strong understanding of poly-modeling and UV mapping in Autodesk Maya
Proficiency in Photoshop (texturing) and Illustrator (vector graphics/decals)
Familiarity with navigating PLM/PDM environments to locate and view engineering data
Preferred
Previous experience in the automotive sector or working with high-fidelity CGI pipelines
Understanding of automotive manufacturing processes and how design changes impact digital assets
Working experience with international markets (global teams)
Knowledge of project management and issue-tracking tools (such as JIRA)
Familiarity of various 3D tools + Siemens (ie Team Center), Dassault (ie 3DX), Pixyz, VRED, Unity, UnReal, NVIDIA
Benefits
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.
Company
Ford Motor Company
We don't just make history -- we make the future.
Founded in 1903
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$16.23BKey Investors
US Department of EnergySoros Fund Management
2025-07-29Post Ipo Debt· $3B
2023-08-17Post Ipo Debt· $4B
2023-06-22Debt Financing· $9.2B
Leadership Team
James Farley
Chief Executive Officer
Efrat Barit
COO
Recent News
2026-02-08
2026-02-07
Company data provided by crunchbase