Product Engineer - Automotive Body & Exterior SystemsOverview / Summary The Product Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, and release of automotive body and exterior systems and components. Responsibilities include supporting components such as fixed glass, wipers and washer systems, leafscreens, badging, appliques, spoilers, running boards, roof rails, and other assigned exterior components.
The Design & Release (D&R) Engineer will lead early development, system feasibility, and technical design activities in collaboration with Studio, Program Management, Manufacturing, Supplier Technical Assistance (STA), and other cross-functional engineering teams.
The role supports the complete product lifecycle from concept and sourcing through validation, prototype builds, launch, Job 1, and ongoing engineering changes. The engineer will focus on continuous improvement in quality, cost, weight, performance, timing, manufacturability, and assembly while ensuring compliance with applicable engineering, manufacturing, assembly, customer, and regulatory requirements.
This position is fully onsite.
Key Responsibilities - Design, develop, validate, and release automotive body and exterior components throughout the product lifecycle.
- Meet program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets using the Waterfall process.
- Develop engineering plans and deliver program requirements on time using GPDS (Global Product Development System).
- Apply Robustness Engineering disciplines and Failure Mode Avoidance tools throughout product development.
- Develop Engineering Statements of Work (ESOW) and Engineering Concepts (EC).
- Participate in sourcing activities, including SOBA, ED&T reviews, piece and tooling cost reviews, and CPA.
- Participate in Technical Design Reviews and cross-functional engineering meetings.
- Design and release parts through AVBOM/FEDE BOM and WERS.
- Support Change Control Meetings and worldwide engineering change processes.
- Audit and maintain BOMs with correct part levels, usage, and engineering content for prototype builds and post-Job 1 production.
- Ensure engineering designs comply with Worldwide Customer Requirements (WCR), Engineering Specifications (ES), Systems Design Specifications (SDS), regulatory requirements, manufacturing requirements, and assembly requirements.
- Identify validation, durability, and functional testing requirements using DVP/eFDVS and applicable validation workbenches.
- Define and verify engineering prototype requirements at the component level.
- Use AIMS root cause analysis to identify issues and implement permanent corrective actions.
- Apply Six Sigma, 8D, Lean, and other structured problem-solving methodologies as appropriate.
- Support parts implementation and engineering sign-off at assembly plants.
- Assist with quality issues through all program milestones.
- Review PDL revisions and determine appropriate engineering actions when affected.
- Support VQR, VRT, and PVT activities as required.
- Collaborate with STA and provide technical assistance throughout the Supplier Engagement Process.
- Work with Studio, Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, suppliers, and other engineering organizations to resolve technical issues and achieve program objectives.
- Drive continuous improvement in product quality, cost, weight, performance, manufacturability, and assembly.
- Maintain compliance with applicable corporate, local, global, and regulatory requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
- Apply engineering best practices to deliver robust, high-quality products on schedule.
- Support vehicle launches at assembly plants, including extended travel when required.
Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Product Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 3+ years of experience in automotive body/exterior systems development in an engineering role.
- Automotive Design & Release experience with body and/or Class A exterior components.
- Experience with CAD design and automotive component development.
- Experience with Teamcenter, Vismockup, AVBOM/FEDE BOM, and WERS.
- Experience designing and releasing parts through the automotive product development lifecycle.
- Experience with injection-molded part design for applicable components.
- Experience with validation, durability, functional testing, DVP, and engineering prototype development.
- Experience supporting manufacturing and assembly plant implementation, sign-off, and quality issue resolution.
- Experience working with suppliers and Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) through the Supplier Engagement Process.
Preferred Qualifications - 5+ years of experience for senior-level responsibilities.
- Experience with APQP.
- Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with injection molding/injection-molded part design.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma/Green Belt, and 8D problem solving.
- Experience with Release Engineering.
- Experience with Microsoft Excel, Office, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Access, SharePoint, and Azure.
- Experience with GPDS (Global Product Development System).
- Experience with Waterfall process and Robustness Engineering disciplines.
- Experience with Performance+ methodologies.
- Experience supporting vehicle launches at domestic and international assembly plants.
- Experience with VQR, VRT, PVT, PDL revisions, and engineering change control.
- Experience with AIMS root cause analysis and permanent corrective action implementation.
- Experience participating in sourcing activities, including SOBA, ED&T reviews, piece and tooling cost reviews, and CPA.
- Experience with automotive product development systems.
- Master's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
Work Environment - Fully onsite position.
- Travel may be required to component manufacturing facilities and vehicle assembly plants, both domestic and international.
- Extended travel may be required to support vehicle launches.
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