Configuration & Design Engineer – Defense Powertrain Systems

About the role

ARi is a global engineering firm headquartered in East Peoria, Illinois, USA offering services for Embedded Software, Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Testing & Validation, Automation & Robotics, and Digital Transformation. We work with 3 of the top 5 Heavy Equipment Players, as well as industry leaders in Automotive, Aerospace, and Industrial Manufacturing sectors. Our team of 1,500+ engineering talent worldwide delivers sophisticated and custom solutions to clients across North America and India.

Responsibilities

• Support the configuration, design, and integration of defense powertrain systems for military and off-highway vehicle applications.
• Translate customer, system, and interface requirements into practical engineering designs and technical solutions.
• Develop and maintain powertrain architectures, including engine, transmission, cooling, fuel, air intake, exhaust, and electrical systems.
• Create, modify, and maintain 3D CAD models, assemblies, layouts, and detailed engineering drawings using Creo or equivalent CAD software.
• Perform component packaging studies to optimize space utilization, manufacturability, serviceability, thermal management, and vehicle integration.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation including Bills of Materials (BOMs), interface control documents, design reports, and configuration records.
• Support engineering change activities, including Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and configuration management.
• Participate in design reviews, requirement verification, and product development activities to ensure compliance with engineering and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with systems, manufacturing, validation, purchasing, suppliers, and program management teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Support prototype builds, vehicle integration, validation testing, issue resolution, and continuous product improvements.
• Ensure designs comply with defense, military, Caterpillar, and applicable industry standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 3–8 years of experience in powertrain, drivetrain, engine, transmission, or vehicle systems design and integration.
• Experience with Creo, CATIA, Siemens NX, or similar 3D CAD software.
• Experience using PLM tools such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or equivalent is preferred.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, vehicle integration, validation testing, and engineering change management is preferred.
• Experience in defense, military, heavy equipment, construction, mining, or off-highway vehicle industries is highly preferred.

Skills

• Experience designing and integrating powertrain, drivetrain, engine, transmission, or vehicle systems.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as Creo, CATIA, or Siemens NX.
• Strong understanding of component packaging, GD&T, manufacturing processes, and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Experience with configuration management, Engineering Change Requests (ECR), Engineering Change Orders (ECO), and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
• Ability to create and maintain engineering drawings, assemblies, layouts, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Knowledge of powertrain integration, cooling systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, and vehicle packaging.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional engineering teams.

Benefits

• Group health, dental, and life insurance coverage from day one.
• Vision coverage starting the following month.
• Paid time off, sick days, and company holidays.
• Maternity/paternity leave.
• Bereavement support.
• 401(k) program for eligible employees.