Product Design Engineer

Minth Group; Paris; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Talantir in Paris, France is seeking an experienced Automotive Exterior Plastic Parts Design Engineer. You will lead design work for conventional parts, create detailed 3D models and 2D drawings, and collaborate with CAE teams to validate concepts.

The role requires strong CATIA skills, knowledge of DFMEA, and familiarity with APQP processes. You will communicate with customers in English, translate requirements into actionable design inputs, and manage design changes throughout DV/PV stages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Design or related field.
• At least 3 years' design experience in automotive exterior plastic parts.
• Familiarity with APQP and automotive development processes; OEM/Tier 1 experience preferred.
• Proficient in CATIA; strong knowledge of plastic part design and DFMEA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of conventional parts for automotive exterior plastics.
• Create 3D models and 2D drawings using CATIA/UG-NX/Pro/E based on customer requirements.
• Collaborate with CAE engineers to validate designs and optimize based on results.
• Apply DFMEA to identify risks and implement preventive measures.
• Organize design reviews and manage development schedules.

Skills

English proficiency

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Design or related

Tools

CATIA

UG/NX

Pro/E

Job description

Main Responsibilities

1) RFQ Assessment and Response RFQ

• Receive, interpret, and analyze technical documents (drawings, 3D data, technical agreements, etc.) and technical standards provided by customers.
• Interpret customer technical documents, engage in effective technical communication with customers, and produce design concept documents, design labor-hour costs, and feasibility analyses (identifying risks).
• Analyze and propose cost-reduction initiatives.
• Assist in completing TR materials and technical documents required by customers, and obtain technical approval from customers.

2) Undertaking and Transformation of Customer Requirements：

• Receive, interpret, and analyze product design requirements, technical documents (drawings, 3D data, technical agreements, etc.), performance objectives, and quality standards provided by customers (OEMs or internal product planning).
• Accurately translate customer requirements into actionable design inputs and internal design standards.
• Conduct preliminary communication with customers regarding design feasibility, technical challenges, and potential risks.

3) Product design and development：

• Lead the design work for conventional parts.
• Based on customer requirements and internal design specifications, lead or independently complete 3D modeling (using CAD software such as UG/NX, Catia, Pro/E) and 2D engineering drawing creation for automotive exterior plastic parts products.
• Conduct product structural design, with a focus on functional realization, installation fit, ergonomics, aesthetics, lightweighting, strength and stiffness, durability, manufacturability (injection molding, painting, assembly, etc.), and cost optimization.
• Select appropriate engineering plastic materials, considering material properties, environmental adaptability (weather resistance, temperature resistance, chemical resistance, etc.), recycling requirements, and cost.
• Collaborate with CAE engineers to validate design proposals and optimize designs based on analysis results.
• Apply the DFMEA methodology to identify design risks and develop preventive measures.
• Effectively organize design DR reviews and manage design development schedules.

4) Design adjustment and optimization during the development process

• At each stage of product development (Design Verification (DV), Production Validation (PV), pilot production, etc.), promptly and effectively adjust, optimize, and revise the product structural design based on prototype status, test results (such as dimensional, material, environmental, and durability tests), feedback from mold trials, production process feedback, and customer change requests.
• Resolve design-related technical issues (such as interference, gap and flush conditions, deformation, cracking, abnormal noise, assembly difficulties, etc.) that arise during the development process.
• Assess the impact of design changes (Engineering Change Notices (ECNs)) and lead or participate in the change process.

5) Technical Guidance and Support ：

• Provide interpretation of design intent and technical guidance to the project team (including manufacturing engineers, mold engineers, quality engineers, procurement staff, suppliers, etc.) to ensure the design concept is correctly understood and implemented.
• Participate in design review meetings, offer professional opinions, and address technical queries.
• Assist in resolving technical issues related to product design that arise on the production floor or at the supplier's end.
• When necessary, provide technical solution explanations and support to sales or customers.必要时，

6) Design Specifications and Knowledge Accumulation：

• Adhere to the company's design processes, standards, specifications, and relevant automotive industry standards (such as IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, etc.).
• Participate in or lead the development and updating of design standards, design guidelines, and design checklists.
• Summarize design lessons learned and promote the accumulation and sharing of design knowledge and best practices.

Qualifications

• 1) Bachelor's degree or above, majoring in Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation, Polymer Materials and Engineering, Vehicle Engineering, Industrial Design (with an engineering focus), or related fields.
• 2) A minimum of 3 years of product design experience in the automotive components industry, with mandatory hands-on project experience in designing automotive exterior plastic parts (such as front/rear bumpers, grilles, side skirts, wheel arches, spoilers, etc.).
• 3) Familiarity with the automotive product development process (e.g., APQP) is required. Prior experience in interfacing with OEMs or working as a Tier 1 supplier is preferred.
• 4) Use English as working language.
• 5) Proficient in using CATIA software, and familiar with the structure, performance, and processing techniques of plastic parts products;
• 6) Skilled in complex surface modeling, solid modeling, assembly design, and engineering drawing (GD&T);
• 7) Familiar with the principles and key design considerations of plastic part structures, including wall thickness, reinforcing ribs, snaps, positioning, parting lines, draft angles, weld lines, sink marks, etc., as well as Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA).
• 8) Possessing a quality of technical exploration and the excellent personal trait of proactive and timely communication.