Senior Design Engineer – Sr. Accessories Engineer

About the role

Design and develop mechanical components and systems for automotive accessories (exterior, interior, performance, lifestyle, etc.) from concept through production release.

Create fun and useful products for interior systems focusing on functionality, craftsmanship, safety, reliability, and quality, while meeting program timing, mass, and cost efficiency objectives.

Develop and maintain engineering deliverables including technical requirements, CAD models and drawings, Design Verification Plans (DVP&R), DFMEAs, validation plans, engineering releases, and issue-management documentation.

Collaborate closely with Design, Vehicle Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, Program Management, Marketing, and other cross-functional stakeholders to drive alignment and achieve program milestones.

Lead technical engagement with suppliers, including sourcing support, design reviews, feasibility assessments, quote evaluations, cost optimization, technical negotiations, tooling design, tuning plans, and delivery of engineering milestones.

Utilize CAD and engineering analysis tools to develop robust, manufacturable designs that meet engineering specifications, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.

Provide technical leadership during prototype, validation, and production builds, proactively resolving design, quality, manufacturing, and supplier-related issues to ensure successful program execution.

Drive continuous improvement by developing innovative tools, processes, and methodologies that improve product quality, engineering efficiency, and development effectiveness.

Mentor and support junior engineers through technical guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharing while helping establish engineering best practices.

Demonstrate end-to-end ownership and accountability for assigned systems and projects, identifying risks early, driving issue resolution, and delivering successful outcomes with urgency and leadership.

Experiment with new designs, materials, and mechanisms to create accessories that feel premium, delight customers, and survive real-world abuse.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in the design, development, validation, release, and launch of automotive Interior Components and Systems, including one or more of the following: soft trim, hard trim, instrument panels, door trims, center consoles, headliners, pillars, package trays, decorative trim, or related assemblies.
• Proven experience leading products through the complete development lifecycle, from concept creation and packaging through engineering release, validation, industrialization, and production launch.
• Strong knowledge of automotive interior systems, materials, manufacturing processes, industry benchmarks, emerging technologies, customer quality expectations, and supplier capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing engineering deliverables including product specifications, Design Verification Plans and Reports (DVP&R), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), validation plans, engineering releases, and issue-management activities.
• Proficiency with CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools for 3D modeling, packaging studies, concept development, drafting, design reviews, and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) evaluations.
• Proven vehicle launch experience, including prototype builds, validation activities, production readiness reviews, issue resolution, and support through Start of Production (SOP).
• Experience collaborating across Design, Vehicle Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Program Management, and supplier organizations to deliver complex automotive systems.
• Demonstrated supplier management experience including feasibility reviews, sourcing support, technical negotiations, quote evaluation, cost optimization, development tracking, and launch readiness activities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause investigation skills, with the ability to balance technical, manufacturing, quality, cost, mass, and timing requirements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams, build alignment, and drive execution in a fast-paced development environment.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, ownership, and accountability, including mentoring engineers, leading technical reviews, managing competing priorities, and delivering successful program outcomes.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to thrive in a highly collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.

Qualifications

• Experience developing premium or luxury automotive interior systems.
• Experience launching multiple vehicle programs from concept through production.
• Experience with APQP, GD&T, tolerance stack analysis, FMEA facilitation, and automotive quality processes.
• Working knowledge of craftsmanship, fit-and-finish, durability, NVH, ergonomics, safety, and customer-perceived quality requirements for interior systems.
• Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical development activities across global and cross-functional teams.
• A love for elegant engineering.

Skills

• Automotive Interior Components Development
• Product Development Lifecycle Management
• CATIA V5/V6 or Equivalent CAD Tools
• 5+ years Product Development Lifecycle Management
• 5+ years CATIA V5/V6 or Equivalent CAD Tools

Benefits

• Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
• Full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter, and 401K benefits with company matching.