Ford Motor Co.’s high-profile head of hybrid programs is leaving the automaker at a time when Ford is relying heavily on its gas-electric hybrid-vehicle program to help turnaround its struggling automotive operations.

Mary Ann Wright, Ford’s director of hybrid programs and chief engineer on the Ford Escape Hybrid, submitted her resignation Friday morning. She is one of many senior managers to recently exit Ford, which in the midst of a corporate restructuring that is to be detailed early next year.