Senior Product Engineer

Reed Specialist Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established automotive supplier is seeking a Senior Product Engineer to lead the design, development, and launch of innovative interior trim solutions. The role involves close collaboration with customers and internal teams, overseeing product validation, and driving engineering changes. Ideal candidates will possess a degree in Engineering and have more than 7 years of relevant automotive experience, particularly with CATIA. The position is primarily based in Kettering with travel to Coventry and customer locations.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in automotive product design and development.
• Proficient in CAD interrogation.
• Expertise in interior trim and injection moulding tooling.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development from concept to launch.
• Create and manage BOMs and validation deliverables.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and support RFQs.

Skills

Product Design

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Customer Engagement

Leadership

Problem Solving

Education

Degree in Engineering

Tools

CATIA

Job description

Senior Product Engineer - Automotive NPI & Product Development
Location: Kettering & Coventry (Multi-Site Role)
Industry: Automotive Tier 1 Supplier
Type: Full-Time Permanent

A well-established automotive supplier is seeking a Senior Product Engineer to lead the design, development, and launch of new products from concept through to post-launch support. This is a high-impact role working closely with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to deliver innovative interior trim solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead product development activities from concept to Job .
• Own the design, tooling, validation, and launch of new products.
• Create and manage BOMs, PBOMs, BOTs, and customer asset registers.
• Drive engineering change processes (PCRs) and support gateway reviews.
• Oversee product validation, APQP, and PPAP deliverables.
• Conduct feasibility assessments for design, tooling, and manufacturing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers on-site and remotely.
• Support RFQs, 8D problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.

What We're Looking For:

• Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years in automotive product design and development.
• Strong experience with OEM/Tier 1/Tier 2 customer and supplier engagement.
• Proven track record in delivering projects under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in CATIA for CAD interrogation and sectioning.
• Solid understanding of NPI, APQP, FMEA, DVP&R, and manufacturing processes.
• Expertise in interior trim, injection moulding tooling, and mechanical design.

Traits for Success:

• Self-driven with the ability to work independently and set personal goals.
• Collaborative mindset with strong leadership and communication skills.
• Capable of influencing change and motivating cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable managing technical discussions and presenting updates.

Additional Info:

• Primary site is Kettering, with regular travel to Coventry and customer/supplier locations.
• Strong visibility and presence across engineering and programme teams.
• Involvement in departmental KPIs including timeline adherence, BOM accuracy, and customer approvals.