Mission
We are seeking a skilled and proactive Design Release Engineer – Base Engine Components to take ownership of the design, specification, testing, validation, and release of base engine components across assigned vehicle families. In this role, you will bridge the gap between engineering design, supplier manufacturing, and assembly plants. You will be the technical lead responsible for ensuring component reliability, driving cost-efficiency, and resolving complex, real-world engineering challenges from prototype through mass production and service.
Key Responsibilities
Component Design & Engineering Release
Design base engine components and systems using NX Software (2D & 3D models).
Create, update, and manage Design Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (DFMEA) and coordinate PFMEAs with suppliers to mitigate manufacturing risks.
Manage the end-to-end engineering change process by authoring and processing Change Notices for component modifications.
Create and approve Tool Kick-Off (TKO) requests for assigned vehicle families.
Obtain and organize product change info, implementation dates, bills of materials (BOM), and engineering graphs.
Validation, Testing & Quality Assurance
Define, request, and authorize rigorous testing via the Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R) to ensure compliance with strict design requirements.
Review supplier-initiated component changes (specifications, tooling refurbishment, Tier 2 suppliers, etc.) and authorize required validation testing via Forever Requirements.
Initiate Production Evaluation Requests (PER) to create and evaluate component functional testing in assembly plants prior to normal production.
Issue temporary approvals for part validation (Interim Approval Authorizations) and manage product deviations.
Verify and audit supplier manufacturing processes before mass production release.
Problem Solving, Warranty & Service Support
Analyze and resolve complex functional and durability failures using data-driven problem-management processes (GIMS, Expense per Unit Sold, C/1000, and Launch Indicators).
Request prototype part manufacturing to actively investigate and solve warranty issues.
Partner with the Service Team to develop Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), Tech Master Videos, GPOP, Star Online Publications, and updated service procedures.
Supplier & Plant Collaboration
Lead part development with suppliers from initial stages according to the "Source Package" process.
Provide on-site support to Assembly Plants regarding engineering specifications, design changes, and temporary substitutions.
Support Pilot and Pre-series build events directly on the assembly floor.
Standardize and benchmark components against industry standards for performance, weight, and cost-efficiency to propose and execute cost-reduction strategies.
Profile
Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Automotive, or Electro-Mechanical Engineering. Experience: 1–5 years of experience in the automotive industry, specifically within a product development or product engineering role. Core Technical Knowledge: Solid understanding of internal combustion engine components, powertrain physics, thermodynamics, and dynamics. Experience designing internal engine components, electric motor/power electronics accessories, or module support brackets. Software: Foundational skill in 3D computer design software (NX or CATIA). Preferred Qualifications Automotive Systems: Deep understanding of full-vehicle systems, assembly/manufacturing methodologies, and statistical analysis (e.g., Minitab). Problem Solving Certifications: DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) Green Belt/Black Belt or Reactive (Shainin) Green/Black Belt certification. Soft Skills: Highly disciplined with excellent planning and synthesis capabilities; a proactive, analytical team player who can confidently present technical ideas. Tools: Proficiency with standard project management and office suites (Microsoft Office, Project).