Lead Engineer - Cockpit Interior Systems

Contechs; Warwick; On-site; GBP 73,095,000 - 82,656,000; Full time

Job summary

Contechs is seeking an experienced Off-Cycle Lead Engineer to drive cockpit interior systems activity at Gaydon OEM on a 10-month contract. You will lead off-cycle engineering, manage DFMEA and design updates, and define commodity strategies while collaborating with Agile teams.

The role requires strong knowledge of plastic automotive components, design for manufacture, and Catia V5/V6 familiarity. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of plastic automotive component design for function and manufacture.
• Experience supporting cockpit/interior programs from concept through implementation.
• Strong experience resolving business, technical and process issues in project teams.
• Good working knowledge of product creation, change control and change management processes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and update design data such as Bills of Design and DFMEA for trim and surface parts.
• Define and update requirements and test specs for trim and surface components.
• Support cycle teams with knowledge of trim parts and quality issue resolution.
• Conduct benchmarking to establish best practice design and engineering solutions.
• Engage suppliers to stay informed on future component and manufacturing technologies.
• Define test plans to validate concepts and issue resolutions; drive environmental and Sustainability initiatives.
• Collaborate with Design, Attribute teams and Perceived Quality to align strategies.
• Adhere to relevant legal and industry regulations for trim and surface parts.
• Perform additional tasks as directed by line manager.

Skills

Plastic components design

Veneer/finisher tech

Design for manufacture

Wrapping processes

Geometric control

Material selection

Cockpit/interiors program delivery

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

Job description

Order Ref: 37264227

Position Title: Off-Cycle Lead Engineer / Lead Engineer - Cockpit Interior Systems

Duration: Contract - 10 Months

Location: Gaydon OEM

Rate: £27.21 per hour (Inside IR35)

Duties:

• The purpose of this role is to drive the off-cycle engineering activities associated with Cockpit a-surface parts including trim, finisher and veneers.
• Off cycle teams are not typically aligned to vehicle programme timing, they are given the time and remit to drive short, medium and long term activities dedicated to growing the "body of knowledge" for Trim and a-surface Cockpit parts.
• This typically includes authoring and updating Bills of Design and DFMEA's, defining and progressing innovation and technology projects, writing commodity strategies and supporting Programme teams with in depth knowledge of their trim and a-surface parts.
• This may include support with resolving quality issues as well as some level of part releasing.
• Off-Cycle Lead Engineers will report into the relevant Chapter Leader and also work with Product Owners in an Agile framework

Key Performance Indicators

• Ability to demonstrate good knowledge of Cockpit system design, function and performance, in particular trim and a-surface parts
• Ability to demonstrate experience of Cockpit system component production and manufacturing technologies.
• Excellent communication skills.
• With evidence of ability to communicate at all levels.
• CAD capability desirable (Catia V5 / V6) and ability to use associated visualisation tools.
• Significant experience in use of engineering tools including FMEA, Six Sigma problem resolution etc.
• Strong PC literacy including Microsoft project, Power point, Excel, Word etc.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Support the growth of the "body of knowledge" for Trim and a-surface parts including Bill of Design, DFMEA, commodity strategy documents and innovation plans.
• Define and update requirements and test specifications associated with trim and a-surface parts
• Support on cycle teams with knowledge of trim and a-surface parts, as well as supporting quality issue resolution.
• Conduct benchmarking studies to establish best practice design and engineering solutions.
• Interact with key suppliers to ensure the Client is aware of all future component and manufacturing technologies.
• Define and manage appropriate test plans to support validation of future concepts and issue resolutions.Drive environmental and Sustainability initiatives within the Trim and a-surface part domain.
• Provide input into new feature development and progress activities to demonstrate application readiness.
• Work with all stake holder such as Design, Attribute teams, Perceived quality to ensure an aligned strategy.
• Maintain awareness of all relevant Legal and Industry regulations associated with Trim and a-surface parts.
• Undertake any other work as directed by their line manager in connection with their job as may be requested from time to time

Skills:

Essential:

• Knowledge of the design fundamentals of plastic automotive components, ideally with a knowledge one of more of the following: Veneer/finisher technologies, Plastic component design for function, Plastic component design for manufacture, wrapping processes, Geometric control, Material selection.
• Experience of supporting programs delivery for cockpit/interiors from concept till J1
• Previous experience of leading the resolution of business, technical and process issues within a Project Team environment
• A good working knowledge of product creation & delivery, change control, product definition and change management processes
• High communication and interpersonal skills, with strong influencing and engagement skills

Education:

• Degree or relevant equivalent experience.