Tire Design Release Engineer leads the development, validation, and release of tire systems for current and future vehicle programs. This role is responsible for ensuring tire performance meets all vehicle attribute targets including ride, handling, noise, durability, rolling resistance, and regulatory compliance.
The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with vehicle dynamics, chassis, wheel, brake, and supplier teams to deliver robust tire solutions from concept through production.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead tire selection and development for assigned vehicle programs
- Define tire performance specifications aligned with vehicle-level targets (ride, handling, NVH, durability, etc.)
- Manage tire supplier relationships, including sourcing, technical reviews, and issue resolution
- Coordinate tire releases in PLM systems (e.g., Teamcenter) in accordance with program timing
- Conduct and support vehicle-level testing where applicable (proving ground, lab, winter testing, etc.)
- Analyze test data and drive optimization of tire performance
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (FMVSS, ECE, etc.)
- Support root cause analysis and resolution of tire-related issues
- Work cross-functionally with:
- Suspension/Chassis Engineering
- Vehicle Dynamics
- Wheel & Brake Systems
- Manufacturing and Quality
- Participate in program reviews and report status to leadership
Basic Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Minimum of five years of automotive engineering experience (tire, wheel, chassis, or vehicle dynamics preferred)
- Strong understanding of tire construction, performance characteristics, and testing methods
- Understanding of cost drivers within tire designs
- Experience working with tire suppliers (e.g., Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental, etc.)
- Knowledge of PLM systems (Teamcenter or equivalent)
- Experience with vehicle testing and data analysis tools
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience in tire development or release engineering
- Familiarity with simulation tools (e.g., MF-Tyre, Adams, CarSim)
- Understanding of vehicle attribute trade-offs (rolling resistance vs. handling vs. NVH)
- Experience with global vehicle programs and regulatory environments
- Master's degree in Engineering (preferred but not required
Key Competencies:- Technical depth in tire systems
- Program management and execution focus
- Supplier management and negotiation skills
- Data-driven decision making
- Strong attention to detail and quality
