
Sr. Design Release Engineer - Gasoline Internal Combustion Engine Piston and Connecting Rods
- Auburn Hills, MI
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Lead the design of Powercell related components, ensuring alignment with vehicle and engine sub-system requirements.
- Develop and refine concepts for Powercell components, piston lubrication jets, and related components based on functional, safety, reliability, cost, quality and performance requirements.
- Support CAD modeling, FEA (Finite Element Analysis), and other design validation methods to ensure structural integrity and compliance with standards.
- Collaborate with other engineering teams (electrical, thermal, packaging, quality, manufacturing) to integrate components into the overall engine system.
- Manage design release activities from early concept through production, including the timely completion of applicable milestones such as B-Sample, C-Sample, PX0, X0, X1, X2, and X3.
- Own the Engineering Bill of Materials (EBOM) and Change Notices (CNs) for structural components.
- Ensure all parts meet quality, cost, and timing requirements.
- Drive the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for lubrication systems components, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and customer specifications.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, suppliers, and quality, to ensure the successful release and implementation of designs.
- Provide technical leadership and support during the development and production stages to resolve design issues, material selection challenges, manufacturing restrictions, and process-related problems.
- Lead DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and other risk assessment activities to ensure design robustness and mitigate potential issues.
- Participate in the development of testing strategies for components, including engine dynamometer durability, vehicle testing, vibration, oil usage, and thermal testing.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and problem-solving support for extended team of engineers.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Work closely with suppliers to ensure design feasibility, cost competitiveness, and manufacturability of structural components.
- Collaborate with validation teams to define and implement validation testing, ensuring structural components meet functional and performance metrics.
- Partner with vehicle integration teams to ensure proper fitment, safety, and integration of lubrication systems components into the overall vehicle platform.
- Documentation & Reporting:
- Develop and maintain engineering documentation, including design specifications, drawings, models, test plans, and validation reports.
- Ensure that all technical documentation is up-to-date and aligns with program timelines and PPAP requirements.
- Report on project status, timelines, and risk assessments to senior management and stakeholders.
- A minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or related degree field
- A minimum of 8 years of experience
- A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience working with engine components and systems for design and manufacturing of structural components, including metal stamping and casting
- Understanding of structural components are related manufacturing processes, i.e. Aluminum casting, stamping, aluminum casting, machining, injection molding...etc.
- Understanding of product development documentation such as DFMEA and DVP&R
- Understanding of Internal Combustion processes, Mechanics of Materials, NVH, Sealing systems, Fluid dynamics, Tribology, CAE Analysis, and GD&T.
- Experience in selecting materials and manufacturing methods for mechanical components
- Ability to author system/component level requirements
- Strong interpersonal communication, team/leadership skills/experience
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Strong project management skills/experience
- Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems
- Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Engine systems experience
- Working experience in creation and execution of validation plans
- Critical character traits to ensure success: Action Oriented, Dealing with Ambiguity, Customer Focus, Problem Solving
- Demonstrated leadership as a technical expert for lubrication systems in engines.
- Working experience with 3D cad programs, preferably Siemens NX
- Critical character traits to ensure success: Action Oriented, Dealing with Ambiguity, Customer Focus, Problem Solving