Labor
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Mid-Level Design Release Engineer (DRE) – Chassis Tires & Wheels to own the end-to-end integration, engineering release, and validation of wheel assemblies, tires, valves, wheel nuts/bolts, and associated corner hardware. In this role, you will balance dynamic performance (handling, rolling resistance, NVH, wear) with structural durability, manufacturing feasibility, and styling requirements.
This position operates remotely within Mexico, but requires active travel to manufacturing plants and technical centers in Saltillo, Toluca, or Santa Fe (CDMX) to support vehicle line builds, supplier alignment, homologation, and assembly plant quality tracking.
Key Responsibilities
Product Engineering & CAD Ownership: Lead the design integration and engineering release of alloy/steel wheels, tires (OE spec), and mounting hardware in PLM/BOM systems (e.g., Teamcenter, Enovia).
System Integration & Clearance: Perform packaging studies and clearance verifications (suspension envelope, brake caliper clearances, wheel well/fender liner sweeps, full jounce/rebound/steer conditions).
Supplier Management: Direct Tier-1 wheel and tire suppliers through tooling development, styling feasibility, force variation testing, uniformity metrics, and PPAP approvals.
Vehicle Performance & Homologation: Partner with dynamic vehicle attributes, NVH, and braking teams to select tire compounds/treads and wheel offsets. Support regulatory homologation (FMVSS/NOM/ECE), rim load ratings, and speed/load rating compliance.
Testing & Validation: Author, track, and execute DVP&R for wheel structural durability (radial fatigue, cornering fatigue, 13-degree impact tests) and tire performance testing (rolling resistance, treadwear, snow/wet traction).
Plant & Launch Execution: Provide on-site engineering support at plants in Saltillo, Toluca, or Santa Fe during pre-production builds to resolve runout, balance, tire mounting, and torque/auditing issues on the assembly line.
Perfil
Qualifications & Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience: Minimum of 3+ years of professional automotive engineering experience, with direct focus on wheel design (aluminum casting/forging/flow-forming) or tire development (OE tire engineering/compound/tread specification).
Technical Mastery:
Proficiency in 3D CAD platforms (e.g., CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX) and engineering change control systems.
Solid understanding of Tire/Wheel performance parameters: radial/lateral runout, force variation (RFV/LFV), bead seat geometry, wheel bolt torque retention, and wheel offset/scrub radius mechanics.
Strong application of GD&T, stack-up analysis, DFMEA, and manufacturing/casting quality standards (SAE J2530, ISO standards, T&RA guidelines).
Language Skills: Business fluency in Spanish and advanced professional proficiency in English (written and spoken).
Mobility: Willingness and ability to travel up to 25–30% to Saltillo, Toluca, or Santa Fe (CDMX) based on build events and supplier site visits.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with EV-specific wheel and tire requirements (aerodynamic covers/inserts, low rolling resistance, high load index, foam-in-tire noise attenuation).
Direct experience with wheel assembly equipment (automated tire mounting, dynamic balancing, and match-mounting) in an automotive plant environment in Mexico.
Familiarity with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) hardware integration.