Automotive manufacturing
10 Ford engineering leaders
These ten people hold or have held director-level or higher engineering roles at Ford Motor Company, from a vice president of safety engineering to directors of powertrain, electric vehicle, systems and design engineering. A reader can learn how Ford develops vehicle programs and how its engineering teams are organized.
Professionals to explore
01—10Anil Paryani
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director Engineering · Ford Motor Company
Executive Director Engineering at Ford Motor Company since November 2023, where the profile says the team is industrializing software and hardware technologies for the next generation of EVs; the headline describes Anil Paryani as a battery management expert. Anil Paryani was also CEO at AMP Auto Motive Power (2017–2024) and CTO and Member of the Board at BTC Power (2010–2018).
Bao Sun
LinkedInExperience: Ford Engineering Director, Jiangling Motors Corp, Ford Motor Company · Ford Motor Company
Ford Engineering Director, Jiangling Motors Corp, Ford Motor Company since 2024, and Chief Engineer-Global Energy Storage Systems at Ford since January 2026. Bao Sun was also Powertrain Engineering Director, Jiangling Motors Corp, Ford Motor Company (2021–2024), and the profile cites delivering vehicle programs including Transit, Ranger, Territory and Bronco localization.
Brian Wolfe
LinkedInExperience: Director of Engineering - Global Engine Engineering · Ford Motor Company
Former Director of Engineering - Global Engine Engineering at Ford Motor Company (2015–2017), accountable for design and development of all internal combustion engines worldwide. Brian Wolfe also held Director of Engineering, Ford of Europe Powertrain (2012–2015) and Director of Engineering, Transmission and Driveline Engineering (2010–2012) at Ford.
Frank Abkenar
LinkedInExperience: Global Director - Powertrain and Vehicle Thermal Systems · Ford Motor Company
Former Global Director - Powertrain and Vehicle Thermal Systems at Ford Motor Company (2020–2022), with a headline of Global Engineering Director - Propulsion and Thermal Systems. Frank Abkenar's other Ford roles include Global Director - Engine Engineering and Programs (2018–2019), Global Chief Engineer - Powertrain Systems Integration (2015–2016) and Director - Powertrain Engineering, Asia Pacific and Africa (2011–2015).
Ian McLaughlin
LinkedInExperience: Director, Design Engineering & Technical Operations · Ford Motor Company
Director, Design Engineering & Technical Operations at Ford Motor Company since November 2011, a role the profile says covers design feasibility, concept engineering, Class A surfacing and appearance delivery for Ford and Lincoln. Ian McLaughlin was also Chief Engineer, Design Engineering at Ford (2004–2011).
Julie Levine
LinkedInExperience: Director - Systems Engineering Features, Software, Validation & Integration · Ford Motor Company
Former Director - Systems Engineering Features, Software, Validation & Integration at Ford Motor Company (2018–2022); the headline describes Julie Levine as a retired Ford executive. Other Ford roles include Global Integration Chief Engineer (2016–2018) and Global Body Interior Integration Chief Engineer (2014–2016).
Kait Cischke
LinkedInExperience: Global Engineering Director, Exterior & Structural Systems · Ford Motor Company
Global Engineering Director, Exterior & Structural Systems at Ford Motor Company since September 2025, a director-level engineering role, and Global Chief Engineer, Structural Systems Engineering at Ford from 2021 to 2025. Other Ford roles listed include Body Exterior Integration Leader, F-150 (2018–2019) and Body Exterior Engineering Business Leader (2017–2018).
Kimberly Pittel
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering · Ford Motor Company
Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering at Ford Motor Company since 2015. Kimberly Pittel's other Ford roles include Executive Director Purchasing, Supplier Technical Assistance (2012–2014), Director, Quality (2010–2012), Director, Transmission Design (2008–2010) and Vehicle Line Director, North American Small Cars (PD) (2005–2008).
Leo Chen
LinkedInExperience: Director of Engineering · Ford Motor Company
Director of Engineering at Ford Motor Company since September 2021, with a headline naming Ford Motor Company China; the profile says Leo Chen is responsible for vehicle components and systems engineering for vehicle program delivery across timing, cost, quality and weight. Leo Chen was Chief Engineer at Ford from 2020 to 2021.
Steven Pintar
LinkedInExperience: Director - Electric Vehicle Engineering and Product Development · Ford Motor Company
Former Director - Electric Vehicle Engineering and Product Development at Ford Motor Company (2021–2022); the headline reads Retired, Director - Electric Vehicle Product Development. Steven Pintar's other Ford roles include Engineering Director - Vehicle Development for Bronco Sport, Maverick, Escape, Lincoln Corsair (2014–2021) and Global Chassis Engineering Director (2012–2014).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's engineering area to your question, since powertrain, electric vehicle, body and systems engineering are run by separate Ford teams. Check each person's dates and whether a Ford role is current before relying on their view of how the company engineers vehicles today.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does Ford balance cost, weight, timing and quality targets when engineering a new vehicle program?
- 02How are global engineering teams at Ford split between platforms, systems and regional programs?
- 03How has Ford changed its engineering process as it develops electric vehicles alongside gas and hybrid models?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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