Mission
About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, detail-oriented Jr. Design Release Engineer (DRE) – Interior Preprogram Development to join our team in shaping the next generation of vehicle interiors.
In this role, you will work closely with Senior Preprogram Engineers, Design Studio teams, and Tier-1 suppliers during the early phases of vehicle development (Pre-Concept through Program Approval). You will assist in evaluating spatial packaging feasibility, running CAD section checks, tracking interior system deliverables, and supporting the technical development of interior components such as instrument panels, center consoles, door trim, hard/soft trim, and seating systems.
Key Responsibilities
Packaging & Feasibility Support: Assist lead engineers in conducting CAD packaging studies, clearance/interference checks, and cross-section analysis in CATIA or NX to support early interior design concepts.
Design Studio Collaboration: Help bridge the gap between studio styling and engineering feasibility by evaluating 3D surface models for draft angles, wall thickness, manufacturability, and ergonomics.
Supplier & Tooling Assistance: Support interactions with Tier-1 interior suppliers during early feasibility reviews; collect, track, and document supplier DFM feedback and technical proposals.
Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with adjacent engineering teams (Safety, NVH, Climate Control, Electrical, Ergonomics) to gather requirements and track pre-program open issues.
BOM & Target Tracking: Assist in auditing early Bill of Materials (BOM), mass/weight roll-ups, cost targets, and engineering change requests for pre-production vehicle variants.
Documentation & Hand-Off: Maintain pre-program documentation, including draft DFMEAs, boundary diagrams, and packaging decks to ensure smooth hand-off to production release teams.
Profile
Qualifications & Skill Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience: 1–3 years of experience in automotive engineering, product design, or interior trim development (internships, co-ops, or trainee programs within automotive OEMs/Tier-1 suppliers are welcome).
CAD Foundations: Practical experience with 3D CAD platforms (CATIA V5/V6 or Siemens NX) for basic surfacing, solid modeling, packaging reviews, and cross-sectioning.
Plastics & Manufacturing Knowledge: Basic understanding of automotive interior manufacturing processes (injection molding, thermoforming, soft trim wrapping, and assembly techniques).
Engineering Principles: Knowledge of core engineering documentation processes (DFMEA, GD&T, basic regulatory standards like FMVSS/ECE for occupant safety).
Travel Flexibility: Willingness and ability to travel 15%–25% to participate in studio reviews, supplier workshops, and physical packaging evaluations.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior internship, co-op, or junior engineering experience in automotive interior trim or advanced pre-program engineering.
Exposure to vehicle packaging, ergonomics (HMI), or seating/instrument panel architecture.
Strong organizational skills and proficiency