Aufgabe
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Design Release Engineer (DRE) – Cooling Systems to lead the end-to-end design, integration, validation, and release of vehicle thermal management components. In this role, you will be responsible for the complete cooling architecture—including radiators, electric water pumps, thermostats/control valves, expansion tanks (degas bottles), cooling fan modules, and coolant distribution lines.
You will manage the entire product lifecycle from concept through Start of Production (SOP), ensuring system performance across traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) platforms, Hybrid powerpacks, and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) thermal loops.
Key Responsibilities
1. Component Design & Vehicle Integration
Lead the CAD packaging and mechanical design of front-end cooling modules (CRFM), radiators, charge air coolers (CAC), oil coolers, electric water pumps, multi-way control valves, degas/expansion tanks, and shrouds/fans.
Coordinate under-hood and under-body spatial packaging with Structural, Engine/E-Motor, Chassis, and Exterior Trim engineering teams to resolve clearance conflicts and optimize airflow.
Apply Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) principles to support efficient line installation and ergonomics at OEM assembly plants.
2. System Performance & Validation
Develop and execute the Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R), enforcing standards for pressure drop, burst strength, thermal shock, vibration durability, flow rate balance, and NVH.
Collaborate with Thermal CFD and 1D simulation engineers (GT-SUITE/AMESim) to evaluate flow distribution, heat dissipation, and cooling fan acoustic performance.
Support climate wind tunnel testing, track trials, hot/cold weather testing, and physical prototype builds (PERs).
Drive root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone) for validation failures, coolant leaks, or assembly plant issues.
3. Change Management & Release Execution
Author and release technical documentation including Design FMEAs (DFMEA), 2D engineering drawings, 3D CAD models, material specifications, and GD&T tolerance schemes.
Create and process Change Notices (CNs/ECNs) to track engineering changes, cost-reduction initiatives, and tooling updates.
Approve Tool Kick-Off (TKO) requests, manage Source Package technical releases, and issue Interim Approval Authorizations (IAAs) when necessary.
4. Supplier & Cross-Functional Management
Primary technical lead interfacing with Tier-1 cooling component and module suppliers through APQP / PPAP gateways.
Partner with Purchasing, Quality, Manufacturing, and Systems Architecture teams to meet cost (Design-to-Cost), weight, and timing targets.
Profil
Qualifications & Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Thermal/Fluids Engineering, or related technical field.
Experience: 3+ years of experience as a DRE or Product Engineer specializing in automotive cooling systems, thermal modules, or fluid routing.
Technical Knowledge:
Solid understanding of automotive fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and coolant chemistry (glycol/water mixtures).
Knowledge of automotive plastic molding, aluminum brazing, elastomeric hose materials, and stamping processes.
Proficiency in 3D CAD platforms (CATIA V5/V6 or Siemens NX) for packaging, clearance checks, and surface modeling.
Process Mastery: Deep understanding of DFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T, APQP, PPAP, and OEM release platforms (e.g., Teamcenter, Enovia).
Languages: Business fluency in English (written and spoken).
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with BEV thermal management (battery cold plates, drive unit coolers, chiller integration, multi-way electronic valves).
Direct experience supporting OEM assembly plant launches and pilot builds.