
Design Release Engineer - Structural Components
- Auburn Hills, MI
- Contract
- Full-time
- Lead the design of engine structural components, ensuring alignment with vehicle and engine requirements.
- Develop and refine concepts for Cylinder Blocks, Cylinder heads, Bed Plates, Cam Carriers based on functional, safety, 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 (materials, electrical, thermal, packaging, validation) to integrate structural components into the overall engine architecture.
- Manage design release activities from early concept through production, including the timely completion of B-Sample, C-Sample, X0, X1, X2, and X3 milestones.
- Own the Bill of Materials (BOM) and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) for structural components.
- Ensure all parts meet quality, cost, and timing requirements.
- Drive the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for engine structural 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, 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 structural components, including dyno/vehicle durability, material, component, and thermal testing.
- 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 engine structural components into the overall vehicle platform.
- Develop and maintain engineering documentation, including design specifications, drawings, 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.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related degree field.
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working with design and manufacturing of structural components, specifically metal casting.
- Understanding of structural components are related manufacturing processes, i.e. aluminum casting, machining, etc.
- Understanding of product development documentation such as, DFMEA and DVP&R.
- Understanding of Mechanics of Materials, Sealing systems, 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.