Director of Engineering - Digital Products
Director of Engineering - Digital Products

Director of Engineering - Digital Products

Full-Time 90000 - 120000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ford Motor Company

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to innovate digital products for Ford Credit Europe.
  • Company: Join Ford, a leader in automotive innovation and customer experience.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of customer interactions with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in software engineering with strong leadership and technical skills.
  • Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 ÂŁ per year.

We are looking for a hands-on, transformative engineering leader to own digital products & originations for Ford Credit Europe. As the Director of Engineering for Digital Products & Originations, you will oversee the digital products that power our customer-facing originations and dealer experiences across Europe. Managing an engineering organization of 50+ across the UK, Germany, Spain, and India, you will bridge the gap between traditional banking rigour and fintech agility. This isn’t just about maintaining systems; it’s about creating the future of how millions of customers interact with Ford.

What You’ll Bring

  • Leadership Experience – 10+ years in software engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (Head of Engineering, Director, or Senior Manager) managing other managers. Experience leading organizations of 30+ engineers, including hiring, performance management, and restructuring. Domain expertise in building both “power-user” dealer-facing UIs and easy-access end-customer UIs.
  • Technical Fluency – Deep architectural understanding of modern cloud platforms (GCP preferred), microservices, and event-driven architectures. 5+ years of experience building React applications and a background in Java/Spring, GraphQL, REST, and Kafka integration.
  • Mindset – Proven record as a talent magnet, building diverse, high-performing teams. Inspires tech direction, communicates complex problems clearly to executives, and fosters curiosity.
  • Bonus Points – Experience with finance platforms, Google Cloud Professional Architect certification, vehicle finance and dealer application experience.

What You’ll Do

  • Organizational Leadership & Strategy – Build and mentor a group of Engineering Managers and Staff Engineers; oversee a 50+ person team. Instill a culture of technical craftsmanship and product-centric thinking. Manage engineering budget, headcount, and talent deployment to high-impact priorities.
  • Technical Direction – Drive the architectural strategy for decoupling and modernising digital products. Lead transition from legacy systems to event-driven, cloud-native GCP applications. Ensure platform robustness, security, performance, and 24/7 availability in a regulated environment. Maintain software engineering standards, testing practices, CI/CD, and code quality. Advocate the use of agentic AI to accelerate SDLC and improve quality.
  • Stakeholder & Business Partnership – Act as a technical partner to Business Operations, Risk, and Finance leadership. Translate technical constraints into business options and vice-versa. Collaborate with US counterparts for seamless global integration while retaining local relevance.

We are an equal opportunity employer; we are opposed to any form of less-favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability. This is a UK-only position; applications will only be accepted from current UK permanent employees (FCE employees only). The role is based in Dunton and requires presence at the office typically 4 days a week, with flexibility for job-share or other flexible arrangements.

Director of Engineering - Digital Products employer: Ford Motor Company

Ford Credit Europe is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets tradition. As the Director of Engineering for Digital Products, you will lead a diverse team across multiple countries, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth and flexible working arrangements, Ford Credit Europe empowers its leaders to shape the future of customer interactions while enjoying a supportive and inclusive workplace.
Ford Motor Company

Contact Detail:

Ford Motor Company Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Engineering - Digital Products

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at Ford or in a similar field. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.

✨Showcase Your Expertise

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge. Talk about your experience with cloud platforms, microservices, and how you've led teams to success. Let them see the value you bring!

✨Prepare for the Interview

Do your homework before the interview! Understand Ford's digital products and think about how your skills can help them innovate. Prepare some questions that show you're genuinely interested in their mission and challenges.

✨Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and making an impact.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Engineering - Digital Products

Leadership Experience
Software Engineering
Team Management
Cloud Platforms (GCP preferred)
Microservices Architecture
Event-Driven Architectures
React Development
Java/Spring
GraphQL
REST
Kafka Integration
Technical Communication
Budget Management
CI/CD Practices
Software Engineering Standards

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your leadership experience and technical fluency, especially in areas like cloud platforms and React applications. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us about your vision for the role and how you plan to bridge traditional banking with fintech agility. Be authentic and let your personality come through!

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you've built high-performing teams or led successful projects. We love seeing tangible results!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ford Motor Company

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the technical aspects mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of cloud platforms, microservices, and the specific technologies like React, Java/Spring, and Kafka. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just a leader but also technically fluent.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing large teams. Think about how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of innovation. Be ready to discuss how you inspire and mentor others, as this role is all about leading a diverse group of engineers.

✨Bridge the Gap Between Tech and Business

Since this role involves acting as a technical partner to various business operations, practice articulating complex technical concepts in simple terms. Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully translated technical constraints into business solutions in the past, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems or scenarios related to digital product management and engineering strategy. Think through potential challenges you might face in transitioning from legacy systems to modern architectures and how you would address them. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Director of Engineering - Digital Products
Ford Motor Company

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