Design & Release Engineer - Automotive Body/Exterior

About the role

Company introduction: We're seeking a Design & Release (D&R) Engineer to join a major automotive manufacturer's Body/Exterior Systems team at the Product Development Center in Dearborn, MI.

Role summary / purpose: In this role, you'll own the design, development, validation, and release of automotive body and exterior components - including fixed glass, wipers/washer systems, badging, appliques, spoilers, running boards, roof rails, and more - across assigned vehicle programs. You'll lead early development and feasibility activities in close collaboration with Studio, Program Management, Manufacturing, and Supplier Technical Assistance (STA), driving continuous improvement in quality, cost, weight, performance, and manufacturability from concept through Job 1 and beyond.

Employment details: Fully onsite position in Dearborn, MI. Candidates must be able to report on day one; remote-only candidates cannot be considered. May require domestic/international travel to support component manufacturing facilities and vehicle launches.

Responsibilities

• Meet program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets using the Waterfall process
• Apply GPDS (Global Product Development System) and Robustness Engineering/Failure Mode Avoidance disciplines throughout development
• Develop Engineering Statements of Work (ESOW) and Engineering Concepts (EC)
• Participate in sourcing activities (SOBA, ED&T reviews, cost reviews, CPA)
• Lead and contribute to Technical Design Reviews and cross-functional engineering meetings
• Design, validate, and release parts through AVBOM/FEDE BOM and WERS
• Support Change Control Meetings and worldwide engineering change processes
• Audit and maintain BOMs for prototype builds and post-Job 1 production
• Ensure compliance with WCR, ES, SDS, and regulatory/manufacturing/assembly requirements
• Define validation, durability, and functional testing needs (DVP/eFDVS)
• Apply AIMS root cause analysis, Six Sigma, 8D, and Lean methodologies
• Support plant implementation, engineering sign-off, and quality resolution at assembly plants
• Collaborate with Supplier Technical Assistance throughout the Supplier Engagement Process

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Product Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline
• 3+ years in automotive body/exterior systems engineering (5+ preferred for senior-level scope)
• Automotive Design & Release experience with body and/or Class A exterior components
• Experience releasing parts through the full automotive product development lifecycle
• Experience with validation, durability, and functional/DVP testing
• Experience supporting manufacturing/assembly plant implementation and quality resolution
• Experience working with suppliers through the Supplier Engagement Process

Qualifications

• Proficiency with CAD design tools, Teamcenter, Vismockup, AVBOM/FEDE BOM, and WERS
• Injection-molded part design experience (preferred/required depending on component)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Access, SharePoint)

Skills

• Familiarity with production part approval processes
• GPDS, Waterfall process, and Robustness Engineering disciplines
• Performance+ methodologies
• Vehicle launch