The Design Release Engineer (DRE) for Power Liftgate Systems is responsible for the end-to-end engineering, design, development, validation, and production release of automated liftgate and tailgate systems. This role requires a balance of mechanical packaging and electromechanical integration, managing components like electric struts/actuators, latching mechanisms, control modules, pinch sensors, and wire routings. The engineer acts as the technical owner from initial concept sketches through full vehicle launch.
Key Responsibilities
- Component Ownership: Lead the complete "cradle-to-grave" product engineering process for power liftgate components and sub-systems, ensuring they meet vehicle packaging and styling constraints.
- CAD & Architecture: Interface with internal or supplier CAD resources using NX / CATIA and manage product release structures within Teamcenter.
- Quality & Validation: Author and execute Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R) testing at the component, system, and full-vehicle level.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Product Design Office (styling), body-in-white (BIW), interior trim, electrical architecture, and assembly plants to ensure flawless system integration.
- Supplier Management: Oversee tier-1 supplier engineering and manufacturing activities, leading design reviews and ensuring hardware delivers on time and within cost targets.
- Issue Resolution: Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., Shainin Red X, Kepner-Tregoe, DFSS) to root-cause assembly plant, prototype build, and field warranty failures.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
- Experience:
- 3+ years of experience in automotive product development design and release.
- Direct experience with electromechanical systems, closures, moving mechanisms, or body-electronics integration preferred.
- Technical Skills:
- Deep understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and tolerance stack-up analysis.
- Familiarity with typical automotive manufacturing processes (plastics injection molding, stamping, electronics assembly).
- Proficiency in change management documentation (CNs/ECRs) and managing a Bill of Materials (BOM).
- Soft Skills: Excellent interpersonal, project tracking, and conflict management skills needed to drive alignment across global engineering sites.
