For all of you college students out there who are experiencing wanderlust while searching for a major, it’s
time to buckle down and think about your future. Ford has announced that in addition to the 30-40 engineers hired in
2005 for its hybrid vehicle team, the company will be adding another 250 by the end of Q1 2006.
The Blue
Oval won’t be hiring just any engineering major green behind the ears, however. It’s looking for engineers
with specific experience in the area of mechatronics, or the marrying of mechnical and electrical systems that are
widely used in hybrid drivetrains. Currently Ohio State, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, MIT, Stanford, Illinois and Purdue
are among the few universities in the country that offer training in the field.
While most of the 250
engineers will be hired from within Ford’s own ranks, the company is actively raiding the employee marketplace
and competing with the likes of Toyota, GM and DaimlerChrysler for the cream of the engineering crop. So son, put down
that beer bong and hit the books if you want to design the drivetrain for the next big hybrid hit.
[Source:
Ford]