Release Engineer - Side Closures

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Design & Release Engineer (DRE) to support the development and launch of automotive Side Closure Systems, including doors, door structures, and associated sheet metal components. The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in sheet metal design, part development, tooling feasibility, product release, and launch execution within a high-volume automotive environment. This role requires hands-on involvement throughout the product development cycle, from concept and design through tooling, validation, launch, and production support.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, release, and launch of side closure sheet metal components and assemblies.
• Manage engineering deliverables related to doors, inner and outer panels, reinforcements, hinge attachments, latch mounting structures, and related systems.
• Develop and maintain CAD models, engineering drawings, and design documentation.
• Ensure designs meet functional, manufacturing, dimensional, cost, quality, and timing requirements.
• Coordinate with Product Development, Manufacturing, Tooling, Stamping, Body Engineering, Suppliers, and Quality teams.
• Support design reviews, feasibility assessments, tolerance stack analyses, and issue resolution.
• Work closely with suppliers on tooling development, prototype builds, and production readiness activities.
• Drive issue investigation and corrective actions during prototype, pre-production, and launch phases.
• Manage engineering changes and release activities throughout the product lifecycle.
• Participate in vehicle builds and support problem-solving efforts during launch and production.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of automotive product development experience.
• Experience as a Design & Release Engineer supporting automotive body systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in sheet metal design and development, stamped part design, sheet metal manufacturing processes, tooling and production feasibility, product release processes, and launch and build support activities.
• Knowledge of GD&T, dimensional engineering, and tolerance analysis.
• Experience working with automotive suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Side Closures (doors, door structures, side aperture systems).
• Experience with body-in-white (BIW) and stamped steel components.
• Familiarity with automotive launch processes, prototype builds, and plant support activities.
• Experience with CATIA, Teamcenter, or similar automotive design and release tools.
• Working knowledge of DFMEA, DVP&R, APQP, and PPAP processes.

Key Technical Skills

• Side Closure Systems
• Sheet Metal Design
• Stamped Components
• Tooling Development
• Product Release
• Design Validation
• GD&T
• Tolerance Analysis
• CAD Modeling
• Supplier Management
• Launch Support
• Engineering Change Management
• Root Cause Analysis

Ideal Candidate Profile

An automotive engineer who understands how sheet metal parts are designed, manufactured, tooled, validated, and successfully launched into production, with direct experience supporting door and side closure systems from design through vehicle launch.

Job Type & Location

Contract position based out of DEARBORN, MI. This is a hybrid position.

Pay & Benefits

Pay range: $36.00 - $50.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits available for this temporary role may include: Medical, dental & vision; Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital; 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available); Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents); Short and long-term disability; Health Spending Account (HSA); Transportation benefits; Employee Assistance Program; Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave).