Design Release Engineer (DRE) – Automotive Door Systems

This position requires eligibility for a TN visa (i.e., Canadian citizenship) because it is located in Auburn Hills, MI. The Design Release Engineer (DRE) - Door Systems is responsible for the engineering, design, development, validation, timing, and production release of automotive door system components. The Engineer will have end-to-end ownership of assigned door components, ensuring they meet vehicle functional, quality, cost, weight, timing, and manufacturing objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, package, validate, and release automotive door system components.
• Manage the engineering development of door components from concept through production.
• Develop and execute Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R) activities and ensure validation requirements are met.
• Support door system component builds, prototype builds, and production builds.
• Manage engineering changes, including change requests, design revisions, and implementation timing.
• Maintain Bill of Materials (BOM) and engineering documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
• Manage CAD models, drawings, and engineering data in Teamcenter.
• Collaborate with suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and other engineering teams to resolve technical issues.
• Support vehicle assembly plants with technical resolution of door system issues during prototype and production builds.
• Support service teams with field warranty issues related to door components and participate in root cause analysis.
• Lead or support root cause investigations for door system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Identify and implement weight reduction, cost reduction, quality improvement, and other efficiency initiatives.
• Communicate technical product status, risks, timing, and open issues to engineering leadership and management.
• Ensure door components meet applicable functional, performance, manufacturing, quality, and durability requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent from an ABET-accredited or equivalent program.
• 1-3 years of engineering experience.
• Experience designing and developing automotive door systems or door-related components, such as:
• Door trim panels
• Door panels
• Door substrates
• Door armrests
• Door handles
• Door storage components
• Door closing/opening mechanisms
• Door hardware
• Door seals and weatherstripping
• Door-related interior components
• Experience with injection molding, painting, and/or decorating of plastic components.
• Experience with OEM or supplier design and release.
• Experience with NX, CATIA V5, and Teamcenter.
• Experience creating and executing DFMEA and DVP&R.
• Experience supporting component builds and execution.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and vehicle assembly teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Engineering or Business.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and present technical issues and recommendations to management.
• Experience with Design for Six Sigma (DFSS).
• Experience with Reactive Shainin Problem Solving or similar structured root cause/problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience with automotive vehicle development and production launch.