Ford Drive
A startup-style business launched within Ford to redefine vehicle access and ownership, aligning customer experience with business needs and capabilities. Using customer research, operational insights, and CX feedback—including NPS—it drove user-focused decisions for the app and service model to enhance the overall customer experience.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
This project focused on launching a critical seating system within a global vehicle program. I collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless blend of user experience, technical feasibility, and manufacturing efficiency—all while meeting tight deadlines.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
This project focused on launching a critical seating system within a global vehicle program. I collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless blend of user experience, technical feasibility, and manufacturing efficiency—all while meeting tight deadlines.
Key Skills Used
-
Cross-functional Collaboration – Aligning product, engineering, and design teams.
-
User-Centered Problem-Solving – Ensuring usability within real-world constraints.
-
Design Advocacy – Championing both functionality and aesthetics.
-
Rapid Iteration & Testing – Prototyping and refining solutions with suppliers.
-
Project Execution – Managing timelines, technical trade-offs, and supplier coordination.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Aligning product, engineering, and design teams.
My Role
-
Partnered with engineering, design, and suppliers to bring user-centered solutions to life.
-
Advocated for feasibility in design with the Global Interior Design Studio.
-
Led supplier collaboration to prototype and validate the fold-flat seating system.
-
Drove campus recruiting efforts, mentoring candidates and leading hiring initiatives.
The Challenge
This project focused on launching a critical seating system within a global vehicle program. I collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless blend of user experience, technical feasibility, and manufacturing efficiency—all while meeting tight deadlines.
The Problem
This project focused on launching a critical seating system within a global vehicle program. I collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless blend of user experience, technical feasibility, and manufacturing efficiency—all while meeting tight deadlines.
The Approach
This project focused on launching a critical seating system within a global vehicle program. I collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless blend of user experience, technical feasibility, and manufacturing efficiency—all while meeting tight deadlines.
Design & Engineering Problem Solving
Here are a few examples of my work and responsibilities.
.jpg)
Ford Explorer Front Seats
Advocated for seating development teams with Global Interior Design Studio in surface design
.jpg)
Lincoln Aviator Captains Seats
Developed designs with other seat component engineers to deliver seating positions for crash safety
Ford Explorer Fold-Flat Seats
Worked with suppliers to prototype and measure functional performance and production
Execution
-
Tools: Figma, CAD, physical prototyping, Jira, Notion, Slack
-
Methods: User research, feasibility testing, iterative design reviews
-
Teamwork: Engineering, design, suppliers, product management
Impact
-
Launched [feature/system] on schedule, meeting user and business goals.
-
Improved usability by X% through early testing and iteration.
-
Reduced design revisions by X%, saving time and cost.
-
Streamlined supplier collaboration, improving production efficiency.
-
Led [number] recruiting events, mentoring and hiring new design talent.
Other projects & roles during my time in Ford Product Development:
2013 Escape
Quality Control
2014 Transit
Vehicle Evaluation
&
Proof Testing
2015 F-150
Plant Launch Support
2016 Edge
Side Air Bag
& Seat Foam Engineer
2016 Galaxy
Supplier Liaison &
Core Engineer
2019 Aviator
Studio Surface Development
2020 Explorer
Initial Prototype Assemblies
Ford Campus Recruiting
Over my time in the Ford campus recruiting team, I was able to travel to campus 4 years in a row and lead team of 15+ alumni recruiters to develop relationships with recruits. In addition to participating in the application review and interview process, I helped advocate for candidates in the hiring process.
