Magna

Engineer - Vehicle Architecture

Magna$95K — $115K *
Troy, MI 48085In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or Mechatronics Engineering; master's preferred.
  • 5+ years in vehicle architecture and automotive product development.
  • Experience in leading cross-functional vehicle integration teams.
  • Proficiency in CATIA V5, CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE, or NX CAD software.
  • Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up, and automotive launch processes.

Responsibilities

  • Lead development of vehicle architecture and packaging layouts.
  • Translate complex requirements into integrated vehicle solutions.
  • Identify and resolve architecture risks during design phases.
  • Coordinate technical convergence between styling and engineering teams.
  • Support compliance and validation for vehicle systems and components.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to contribute to innovative mobility technologies.
  • Engagement with cross-functional teams and global design operations.
  • Access to professional development and growth opportunities.
Full Job Description

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Job Responsibilities:

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Engineer - Vehicle Architect leads vehicle-level architecture, packaging, integration, and technical convergence activities across complete vehicle development programs. The role translates customer, styling, regulatory, manufacturing, serviceability, geometrical and functional requirements into an integrated vehicle solution from concept through prototype, validation, production release, and launch.
This position provides cross-functional technical leadership across vehicle systems and interfaces, coordinating styling, product engineering, CAD, PLM, manufacturing, suppliers, and program management. The Engineer - Vehicle Architect maintains vehicle-level design integrity, drives resolution of interface conflicts, and ensures released solutions meet program objectives and production readiness requirements.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Responsibility
Vehicle Architecture & Integration
Lead development and maintenance of vehicle architecture, package layouts, system interfaces, hard points, zones, clearances, and integration requirements.
Translate product, customer, styling, sensor, structural, thermal, manufacturing, ergonomic, service, and regulatory requirements into balanced vehicle-level solutions.
Own cross-system compatibility and identify architecture risks, interface gaps, and requirement conflicts early in the development process.
Guide packaging and integration of mechanical systems, structures, mounting hardware, enclosures, trim, sensors, cleaning systems, and thermal hardware.
Use vehicle-level judgment and trade-off analysis to balance functional, manufacturability and serviceability requirements. Styling & Technical Convergence
Coordinate styling and engineering convergence for exterior and interior content, including A-, B-, and C-class surface development and data maturity.
Define visualization, digital review, and physical evaluation scopes, including data status, releases, control models, and cubing activities.
Lead step, gap, flushness, clearance, and interface target setting with styling, engineering, and tolerance-management teams.
Resolve conflicts between design intent and technical feasibility, and support acceptance of styling data for production-tool release.
Lead or coordinate vehicle integration concepts, CAD assemblies, interface documentation, and engineering data packages.
Ensure released CAD and PLM data accurately represents approved design intent, package requirements, subsystem interfaces, and program configuration.
Support Design engineering changes thru design maturity reviews, and configuration control through the product-development lifecycle.
Collaborate with design and release engineers to ensure assigned systems are production-ready and fully integrated at vehicle level.
Program Planning, Validation & Technical Governance
Support vehicle, system, subsystem, and component compliance, ensuring that geometric and functional requirements, along with regulatory, manufacturing, and timing targets, are clearly defined, achievable, and incorporated into engineering plans
Support program resource planning, budget development, technical status reporting, milestone reviews, and coordination of external engineering work packages.
Ensure vehicle-level risks, interfaces, and use cases are addressed through DFMEA, DVP&R, tolerance analysis, validation planning, and technical reviews.
Support as required test & validation activities (i.e., correlation of vehicle/system physical build with virtual development, root cause analysis, verified clash conditions, etc.)
Maintain architecture decisions, assumptions, open issues, lessons learned, and technical documentation throughout the program.
Supplier, Manufacturing & Vehicle Build Support
Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing teams on quotations, design reviews, DFMEA/DFM, material and process selection, tooling concepts, production feasibility, and readiness.
Provide vehicle-level technical support during Alpha, Beta, Pilot, and Production builds, serving as an escalation point for integration and interface issues.
Lead root-cause analysis, containment, deviation management, corrective action, and engineering-change implementation for build and validation concerns.
Capture production and field learnings and incorporate proven improvements into current and future vehicle architectures.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Lead architecture, convergence, packaging, and technical decision forums with customers, program management, styling, engineering disciplines, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers.
Communicate vehicle design status, risks, trade-offs, decisions, timing impacts, and required actions clearly to technical and business stakeholders.
Escalate unresolved architecture risks and target deviations early, with fact-based recommendations and recovery actions.
Promote common methods, engineering best practices, technical knowledge transfer, and continuous improvement across global teams.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related engineering discipline; master's degree preferred.
 5+ years of vehicle architecture, vehicle integration, packaging, styling convergence, complete vehicle development, or closely related automotive product-development experience.
Experience leading cross-functional development of mechanical, structural, trim, thermal, or vehicle integration systems from concept through production release.
Experience with complete vehicle programs, prototype and production builds, validation, suppliers, manufacturing organizations, and engineering release processes.
Proficiency with CATIA V5, CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE, NX, or equivalent 3D CAD; experience with ENOVIA or an equivalent PLM system.
Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up, DFM/DFA, BOM and change management, DFMEA, DVP&R, root-cause analysis, and automotive launch processes.
Strong understanding of vehicle packaging, system interfaces, manufacturing processes, material applications, and production-feasibility considerations.

YOUR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in styling convergence or studio engineering support, including surface maturity and physical or digital vehicle evaluation.
Experience with RAMSIS, CAVA, ICEM Surf, CAE tools, or similar vehicle architecture and visualization applications is a plus
Experience supporting the development and launch of emerging mobility technologies, including ADAS, EVs, and related systems
Experience guiding technical personnel and coordinating global engineering teams.
Awareness, Unity, Empowerment:
Regular / Permanent


Group:
Magna Steyr

About Magna

Magna Careers

Join Magna’s dynamic team of professionals and be part of a company that’s leading the way in automotive innovation. At Magna, we offer unparalleled job opportunities in an environment that values diversity, leadership, and growth. Work You’ll Do At Magna, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where every team member is empowered to contribute, innovate, and excel. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to groundbreaking ideas and better decisions. Joining our team means you’ll work alongside some of the industry’s most talented professionals, using state-of-the-art technology to create revolutionary automotive solutions. Lead in a Unique Market Position Magna stands at the forefront of the automotive industry, combining advanced technology, deep industry expertise, and a commitment to innovation that drives us forward. As a leader in our field, we offer careers that are not just jobs, but pathways to personal and professional growth. Explore Magna’s Job Opportunities Whether you’re looking for a position in engineering, design, production, or management, Magna has a place for you. Our global presence offers a wealth of opportunities for career advancement, professional development, and networking. From internships that provide real-world experience to leadership roles that challenge your skills, Magna is dedicated to helping you reach your full potential. Innovative Work Environment Magna is committed to innovation and excellence. Our team is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the automotive world, making it an exciting place to grow your career. We encourage creativity and initiative, and we reward our employees with the benefits and support they need to succeed both professionally and personally. Be Part of a Great Team At Magna, you’ll find a collaborative environment that values teamwork and open communication. Our employees share a common goal: to lead the industry through innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. With diversity training and a focus on inclusive employment practices, Magna is a place where everyone can thrive. Future-Proof Your Career With Magna, you’re not just finding a job; you’re building a career. We offer extensive training and development programs to help you continue learning and evolving as a professional. With opportunities for advancement and a culture that promotes from within, Magna empowers you to design a career path that meets your ambitions. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We are always on the lookout for passionate, curious, and innovative team players. Explore the possibilities that Magna offers. SEARCH MAGNA JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay informed with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Magna.
Learn more about Magna
Size
161,000 employees
Market Cap
$15.9 billion
Industry
5 Year Trend
-0.1%
NASDAQ

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