It was a policy at Ford to rotate their designers from studio to studio. This experience allowed designers to broaden their experience level as well as stimulate fresh, novel thinking. McKinley started as a stylist in Ford's Advanced Studio. This studio was an exploratory think-tank that had no design limitations or restrictions from engineering. He was eventually promoted to Senior Designer in the Appearance Development Activity in 1965. Three years later, he was promoted to Supervisor of the Appearance Development Section, which subsequently became part of the Design Feasibility Studio. In these positions, McKinley worked on projects for Truck, Thunderbird, Falcon, International and Tractor. His dedication, innovation and expertise were rewarded upon his promotion to Manager of Appearance Development and Feasibility Design Modeling in 1976. In this position he managed a staff of 50 craftsman, clay modelers and sculptores.