Body Exterior Design Release Engineer

Contract position based in Dearborn, MI.

About the role

In-house design and release of safety restraint components. You will interact with all stages of part development from initial CAD drawings through studio surface development, prototyping, testing, feasibility, tooling, manufacturing, and launch. Responsibilities include leading the development and execution of product verification plans and final engineering sign-off, ensuring timelines are met throughout the 3-year product development lifecycle.

This role involves significant hands-on work, including examining prototype parts and active involvement in testing and validation stages. You will be assigned to a specific component (e.g., seat structures, 3-row seats, Taurus front buckets) and will represent that program across various internal teams such as Program Management, Costing, Tooling, Systems, and Vehicle Integration.

The position is meeting-heavy and requires travel to supplier manufacturing sites and assembly plants to assist in initial builds. You will collaborate with testing and validation engineering while balancing pressures from internal and external groups regarding cost, weight, functionality, manufacturability, and sizing—ultimately responsible for releasing the part.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of product verification plans and final engineering sign-off.
• Ensure timelines are met throughout the 3-year product development lifecycle.
• Attend supplier manufacturing sites and travel to assembly plants for launch support and initial builds.
• Collaborate with testing and validation engineering teams.
• Represent assigned components (e.g., seat structures, 3-row seats) across internal teams including Program Management, Costing, Tooling, Systems, and Vehicle Integration.
• Balance pressures related to cost, weight, functionality, manufacturability, and sizing to release parts successfully.
• Hands-on involvement with prototype parts and testing/validation stages.

Requirements

• Experience with design and release of automotive components.
• Proficiency in new product development and CAD.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, meeting-heavy environment.
• Willingness to travel to supplier and assembly sites as needed.

Skills

• Design and release
• New product development
• CAD
• Lighting, glass, trim, plastic, wipers, ornamentation, bumper, fascia, black trim (experience in these areas is a plus)

Pay

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $50.00 per hour. Individual compensation within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

If eligible, benefits for this temporary role may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical illness, accident, and hospital insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available)
• Life insurance (voluntary life and AD&D for employee and dependents)
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time off/leave (PTO, vacation, or sick leave)

Schedule

This is a hybrid position based in Dearborn, MI.