Senior Product Engineer- Closures

Responsible for the design, development and release of automotive components and/ or systems. Plans and designs structural products and systems, and directs and coordinates activities involved in fabrication, operation, application, installation, and repair of structural products and systems.

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field of study
• Education: Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field of study
• Years of Experience: Minimum three to five (3-5) years of related experience required; five to seven (5-7) years of related experience preferred.

Other Skills / Experience Required:

• Product development and innovation skills including PLM, GD&T, VA/VE, and FMEA
• Knowledge of sheet metal (steel and aluminum) components
• Capable of handling projects from inception to completion with respect to timing,
• concept, feasibility, design, construction, try-out, launch, and logistics

Must have Closures experience: 5 years of design AND release experience in automotive closures (side doors, hood, fender, tailgate). OEM release experience is preferred.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong analytical skills.
• Problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to meet program targets, including:
  • BOM parts.
  • Weight
  • Cost
  • Timing
• Knowledge of performance requirements, including structural requirements, FMVSS requirements, occupant safety, and system durability.
• Preferred experience with Catia CAD (on the product side) and Teamcenter.
• Proficiency in seals, adhesives, sealers, and closure mechanisms (actuators, hinges, latches).
• Familiarity with materials and their properties.
• Understanding of joining strategies and methods.
• Knowledge of panel forming.
• Proficiency in manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Automotive Stamping and Manufacturing Experience

• Other Skills/Experience Preferred: Knowledge of laboratory mechanical testing (tensile, hardness, metallurgy)
• Familiar with automotive quality requirements (APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC)
• Process and manufacturing knowledge covering forming, joining, and quality.
• Knowledge of Quality Management System (QMS) requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Design components and systems that meet customer performance, cost, mass, quality, and timeliness objectives to maximize customer value and vehicle function, including improved economy, operating safety, and operational performance.
• Provide ongoing support to both internal and external customers by completing progress reports and preparing presentations to discuss anticipated timing, scope of work, technological findings, and design changes.
• Report lessons learned during project execution and apply them to future projects.
• Drive continuous improvement and support optimization of processes and sub-processes.
• Participate in VA/VE activity.
• Ensure projects are being led according to milestones, including, but not limited to, communication and representation, project timing, efficient use of available resources, and escalation of technical project status as necessary.
• Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, and manuals along with division manufacturing process and product quality requirements to determine feasibility of design or application.
• Discuss and negotiate technical performance items with divisions and external customers.
• Conduct product benchmarking and research studies and analyze data to develop new designs or concepts for automotive components and systems.
• Direct testing activities for components and equipment under designated conditions to ensure operational performance meets project specifications with proven reliability.
• Coordinate fabrication and installation activities to ensure products and systems conform to engineering design and customer specifications.
• Provide design direction to the CAD Designers and assist them in altering or modifying the design to obtain specified functional and operational performance.
• Communicate design concepts with the CAE Engineers and evaluate structural analysis results.
• Evaluate and approve design changes, specifications, and release of drawings.
• Maintain all customer documents within the PLM systems.
• Perform failure mode effect analysis (DFMEA), design for assembly (DFA) and manufacturing (DFM), and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) on components and systems.
• Understand and actively perform the engineering change management process, including technical and commercial alignment with internal and external customers.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Act with honesty and integrity and make ethical business choices.