Design Release Engineer – Safety Restraint Systems

About the role

The Restraint Design Release Engineer (DRE) is responsible for the design, development, and release of one or more of the following components: steering wheel, seat belts, and/or airbags to support Stellantis vehicle programs. This includes working with suppliers and cross-functional teams to design, develop, and release restraint components and systems.

Responsibilities include writing change notices and compliance reports, managing and updating Stellantis systems and core documentation (e.g., DVPR, DFMEA) to meet program timing and deliverables. The Engineer will track, root cause, and resolve issues found during development and serial life (warranty), as well as support plants for build issues during pre-production, production launch, and serial life.

The Restraint DRE manages the development of passive safety restraint requirements. For steering wheel responsibilities, this includes managing capacitive hands-on detection and heating (electrical and performance) requirements. The role involves collaborating with other Stellantis engineering organizations to package and develop the complete restraint system, interfacing with purchasing, product design office, manufacturing, and supply base groups to achieve program objectives.

The Restraint DRE reviews testing, parts, data, and best practices to meet program requirements, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), ECE, and other global certifications.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and release restraint components (steering wheel, seat belts, airbags) for Stellantis vehicle programs.
• Collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of components and systems.
• Write and manage change notices and compliance reports.
• Maintain and update Stellantis systems and documentation (e.g., DVPR, DFMEA).
• Track, root cause, and resolve issues during development, serial life, and warranty periods.
• Support plants for build issues during pre-production, production launch, and serial life.
• Develop and manage passive safety restraint requirements.
• For steering wheel responsibilities, manage capacitive hands-on detection and heating requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering organizations to package and develop the complete restraint system.
• Interface with purchasing, product design, manufacturing, and supply base groups to meet program objectives.
• Review testing, parts, data, and best practices to comply with FMVSS, ECE, and global certifications.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
• Minimum of 8 years of engineering experience.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in problem-solving, computer, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the design and release of airbag, seat belt, and/or steering wheel components.
• Vehicle-level restraint system experience.
• FMVSS or Homologation testing and certification experience.
• Experience with NX / TeamCenter CAD Software.
• Familiarity with PFMEA, DFMEA, DVP&R, FEA, and CAE impact analysis tools.
• Experience using proactive quality tools (Design for Six Sigma).
• Experience using reactive quality tools (Kepner-Tregoe / Shainin).

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health & Well-being Coverage: Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage from day one, plus an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
• Family Building Benefits: Support for fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy.
• Generous Paid Time Off: 17+ paid holidays (including a year-end shut-down from December 24th through New Year’s Day), vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time, and fully paid parental leave.
• Competitive Retirement Savings Plans: Employer match on 401k, Roth, and Catch-Up contributions, plus an employer contribution regardless of employee contributions.
• Income Protection & Insurance Options: Employer-provided and voluntary plans, including life insurance, group accident, and critical illness coverage.
• Company Vehicle Lease Program: Eligible employees and their families can lease Stellantis vehicles with insurance, maintenance, and unlimited miles included, plus exclusive discounts on Stellantis products.
• Support for Growth and Giving Back: Tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing programs, and 18 paid volunteer hours annually.