Job Description

Why Ford?

For a century, we've been a driving force across Australia, building a legacy that truly speaks for itself. Leading the way, the Ranger continues its rein as Australia's No. 1 Selling Vehicle and our iconic Mustang proudly holds its position as Australia’s No. 1 Sports Car.

These remarkable achievements are a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and a customer-focused approach that has delivered success across our entire lineup, giving us so much to be excited about! But we believe we do more than just build award-winning vehicles—we build careers.

• Discounted lease car options.
• Multiple Employee Resource Groups – Ford Pride, Women of Ford and Ford Empowering Diverse Abilities.
• Flexible Work Arrangements.
• Growth and development opportunities via internal and external training.
• Paid parental leave from day 1.
• Comprehensive Employee Assist Program.
• Wellness Programs including Free Flu Vaccinations and Health Checks.
• Paid volunteer days.

About the Role

As the Staff Diagnostics Engineering Manager, you will drive the successful launch, deployment, and daily operation of end-of-line (EOL) diagnostic test tools across global and regional manufacturing environments. In this key operational role, you will product-manage EOL feature development, prioritize global requirements, coordinate regional launch execution, and oversee diagnostic hardware demand and repair logistics. Ultimately, you will ensure our test tools align with local plant constraints while maintaining high operational readiness, responsiveness, and support across the Africa and Asia Pacific region.

Reporting directly to the Senior Principal Diagnostics Engineering Manager in Australia, this new created position is based at our IMG Product Development Centre in Broadmeadows, Melbourne. This role operates under a hybrid work arrangement, requiring four days on-site.

• Product manage and prioritize feature development for end-of-line test tools, balancing global platform needs with regional and plant-specific requirements.
• Maintain and manage the feature backlog for EOL global and regional capabilities, ensuring priorities are aligned with launch timing, operational impact, and business value.
• Gather, document, and refine requirements from regional plants, launch teams, and operational stakeholders for new features, enhancements, and issue resolution.
• Partner with US-based development teams to communicate feature priorities, clarify regional needs, and support delivery of solutions that address plant operational constraints.
• Coordinate and manage the regional launch team to support implementation, validation, issue escalation, and stabilization of EOL test tools during program launches.
• Track launch readiness activities for EOL diagnostic tools and ensure required systems, hardware, processes, and support plans are in place for successful deployment.
• Manage diagnostic hardware demand planning across the region, including forecasting, allocation, ordering coordination, and plant readiness support.
• Oversee diagnostic hardware repair logistics, including tracking failed units, coordinating repairs or replacements, minimizing downtime, and ensuring hardware availability to support production.
• Support plants with operational issues related to EOL testing, diagnostics, flashing, and tool performance, driving timely resolution and escalation where required.
• Monitor field and plant feedback to identify recurring issues, feature gaps, and improvement opportunities for EOL tools and processes.
• Help define and track key operational metrics such as tool uptime, launch readiness, feature delivery status, hardware availability, repair turnaround time, and plant issue resolution performance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, service, engineering, suppliers, and program teams to ensure EOL tools are effective, supportable, and aligned with plant needs.
• Drive standardization and best practices across regional launches and plant operations while ensuring flexibility for local manufacturing requirements.
• Support training, communication, and change management activities related to new EOL features, hardware deployment, and operational process changes.

• 8+ years in automotive diagnostics, manufacturing test, end-of-line testing, or related vehicle validation environments.

• Deep technical expertise working with automotive diagnostic tools, EOL test processes, and manufacturing plant operations.

• A proven background in operationally focused roles, supporting product launches, plant implementation, production support, or cross-functional delivery.

• Demonstrated capability in product management, feature prioritization, backlog management, or requirements definition for technical tools or manufacturing systems.

• A track record of coordinating across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to deliver solutions in high-volume production environments.

• Robust problem-solving and issue-management capabilities, particularly in supporting the escalation and resolution of plant or launch-related concerns.

• Practical experience directing regional launch activities, deployment planning, and post-launch stabilization support.

• Familiarity with hardware planning, asset coordination, service logistics, or repair tracking in support of plant operations.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across regional and central teams.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, competing requests, and time-sensitive operational deliverables
  

Highly Desirable

• Experience with automotive diagnostic protocols and standards such as UDS, OBD-II, CAN, LIN, and ISO 14229.
• Experience with end-of-line test stations, calibration verification, module flashing, network validation, and vehicle functional testing.
• Familiarity with manufacturing plant systems, production test workflows, and launch readiness processes.
• Understanding of vehicle quality systems, service diagnostics, and the relationship between plant diagnostics and downstream customer issue prevention.
• Experience working in fast-paced launch or advanced manufacturing environments supporting new architectures or emerging vehicle technologies.
• Experience supporting operations in Africa and Asia Pacific regions, including adaptation of global solutions to local plant and market needs.
• Experience influencing centrally developed tools or platforms to address regional business, operational, or regulatory requirements.
  

Equal Opportunity

Ford Australia is inclusive employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment

If you require any support or adjustments to the recruitment process, please contact our Talent and Inclusion Lead Sarah at scastr34@ford.com

To be considered for this role, you must be legally authorised to work in Australia (verification required upon hire). Please note that the successful candidate will also be required to complete a pre-employment background and national police check.

---Applications will close on Sunday 28 June 2026---

Please note due to the high numbers of applications we will only be able to contact shortlisted candidates.

*Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Limited ACN 004 116 223 ( Ford) is collecting your personal information in order to consider you for a role at Ford.Ford may also collect personal information about you from third parties such as refereess and recruitment agencies for this purpose.Ford may disclose your personal information to its related companies and third party service providers for purposes such as screening and background checks, aptitude testing and health and safety and human resources management activities.Ford’s privacy policy (available atwww.ford.com.au) states how you can seek to access or correct any personal information Ford holds about you, how to complain about a privacy breach by Ford and how Ford will deal with a privacy complaint. You can contact Ford at 13 FORD (13 36 73) or via the contact details set out in Ford’s privacy policy