SWE Distinguished New Engineer

Molli Andor

Ford Motor Company

For exceptional technical skill; for flexible, adaptive leadership that solves challenging problems; and for serving as a role model both at work and in her community.

Molli Andor is a lead manufacturing engineer in Ford Motor Company’s Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering organization. In this role, she leads the implementation of new and modified assembly processes for the Nano engine in Lima, Ohio, and has launched several engine programs for the F-150, Explorer, Aviator, and Bronco. From robotics and fastening strategy to manual workstation design, Andor works with a cross-functional team of engineers, plant employees, and suppliers to achieve processes that can run at rate, are ergonomically friendly, and have robust designs.

She earned Six Sigma green belt certification early in her career, completing two projects regarding plant safety and ergonomics. Using empathy and human factors training, her solutions solved repeat operator injury cases. In 2017, Andor participated in Ford’s Catalyst Innovation Challenge, in which her team developed and prototyped bone conduction technology-integrated safety glasses for use in manufacturing plants. This technology contributed to safer communication in manufacturing environments and served as an effective replacement for expensive and increasingly obsolete plant radios. The team’s project was recognized by Ford’s CEO as Best in Show.

Andor has led numerous technical projects; most notably, she was awarded the 2021 Ford President’s Health and Safety Award for North American Ergonomic Innovation for her team’s water pump ergonomic press assist tool. She co-led a team to design an assist tool for water pump installation, which decreased operator forces by a factor of 10, making the operation ergonomically safe to perform.

Along with her day-to-day responsibilities, Andor is a leader within Ford and her community. She was inducted as a fellow in Ford’s Thirty Under 30 program in 2018. This prestigious philanthropic program teaches participants design thinking to develop innovative solutions for the needs of local nonprofits. Additionally, in 2019, Andor partnered with Raven Hill Discovery Center to host the STEAM Academy for Girls to increase STEM and arts exposure for children in her hometown.

A SWE life member, Andor is active in the Detroit Section, where she currently serves as president-elect. She received a WE20 Patent Recognition Award and a 2022 WE Local New ELiTE Award. In recognition of her career achievements and community work, she was inducted into Michigan Technological University’s Presidential Council of Alumnae, serving as a role model for aspiring women in her field.

Andor graduated from Michigan Tech with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a minor in manufacturing. While working full time at Ford, she continued her education at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, earning an M.S. in engineering management in 2018.

Outside of work and SWE, Andor enjoys spending time outdoors, learning how to bake new desserts, and channeling her creativity through textile art. She loves visiting her family in Northern Michigan and spending time with her German shepherd, Märzen.