Design Release Engineer / Tire & wheel specialist (Pune)

RapidBrains; Pune District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

RapidBrains in Pune/Chennai is seeking an experienced Design Release Engineer / Tire & Wheel Specialist to own the design, development, validation and release of tires, wheels and wheel & tire assemblies for passenger vehicle programs.

The ideal candidate has hands-on tire and wheel design experience, understands vehicle integration, testing, and product development processes, and can coordinate across design, CAE, testing, manufacturing and suppliers to meet milestones.

Qualifications

• Experience in Tire and Wheel design and development.
• Automotive OEM or tire/wheel manufacturer background.
• Strong understanding of vehicle integration and testing.
• Familiarity with homologation and product development processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of tires, wheels, and wheel assemblies.
• Ensure designs meet packaging and performance requirements.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to meet milestones.
• Prepare engineering documentation and release artifacts.
• Follow automotive release processes and change controls.
• Support testing and validation activities across DV/PV.

Skills

Tire design

Wheel design

Vehicle integration

Supplier coordination

Product development

Tools

PLM

DFMEA

DVP&R

Job description

Job Title : Design Release Engineer / Tire & Wheel specialist

Experience: 68 Years

Location: Pune, Chennai

Notice Period: Immediate Joiners Preferred

Employment Type: Full-Time

We are looking for an experienced Design Release Engineer / Tire & Wheel Specialist to join the Chassis Engineering team and take ownership of the design, development, validation, supplier coordination and release of Tires, Wheels and Wheel & Tire Assemblies for current and upcoming passenger vehicle programs. The ideal candidate will have strong hands‑on experience in Tire and Wheel Design & Development, preferably within an automotive OEM or leading tire/wheel manufacturer, with a solid understanding of vehicle integration, testing, homologation, supplier development and automotive product development processes. This role requires an engineer who can work effectively across Design, CAE, Testing, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, Materials, Service, Warranty and Supplier teams and drive engineering deliverables from concept through validation, production builds and field support.

Key Responsibilities

Tire, Wheel & Chassis Component Development

• Lead/support the engineering design and development of:
• Steel Wheels
• Aluminum/Alloy Wheels
• Tires
• Wheel Bolts
• Wheel & Tire Assemblies
• Wheel Covers
• Wheel Center Caps
• Develop components in line with vehicle-level functional, durability, packaging and performance requirements.
• Understand component interfaces and ensure compatibility with other chassis systems.
• Support new product and current-product development programs.
• Prepare and maintain engineering source packages, specifications and design documentation.
• Define functional and durability objectives for structural components.

Product Development & Design Release

• Follow established automotive product development and engineering release processes.
• Support design reviews, technical reviews and engineering change activities.
• Manage engineering deliverables such as:
• ECR
• CCD
• CN
• BOM
• MBOM
• PLM updates
• Part number creation/release
• Ensure design and release activities are completed according to project timelines and quality gates.
• Coordinate with project and design teams to resolve technical issues and maintain program milestones.

Tire & Wheel Testing and Validation

• Develop and support DV/PV test plans for tires, wheels and wheel/tire assemblies.
• Understand wheel and tire durability, fatigue and performance testing requirements.
• Support testing activities and analyze test results against engineering specifications.
• Ensure components meet applicable regulatory and homologation requirements.
• Apply relevant industry standards and guidelines including:
• ETRTO
• T&RA;
• SAE
• Support prototype, validation and production builds.
• Ensure successful completion of engineering and vehicle-level validation activities.

Supplier Development & Technical Management

• Work closely with suppliers and Supplier Quality Engineers (SQE) throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Evaluate supplier technical capability and readiness.
• Conduct technical reviews and support supplier selection/development.
• Review tooling, process development, manufacturing feasibility and timing.
• Visit supplier facilities for:
• Process reviews
• Sample preparation
• T0 and VP sample reviews
• Testing
• Manufacturing readiness
• Quality assessments
• Resolve supplier-related design, manufacturing and assembly issues.
• Ensure supplier deliverables meet agreed cost, quality and timing targets.
• Support development of new/local suppliers to achieve functional requirements and cost targets.

Quality, DFMEA & Problem Solving

• Participate in and drive engineering quality activities including:
• DFMEA
• DVP&R;
• PFMEA
• Control Plan
• PPAP
• Perform proactive and reactive root cause analysis for component and assembly issues.
• Investigate development failures, production issues and field/warranty concerns.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies such as:
• DFSS
• DOE
• Shainin
• Root Cause Analysis
• Work with Quality, Service and Warranty teams to address early-life and field issues.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are technically robust and implemented within program timelines.

Vehicle Integration & Chassis Functional Understanding

• Understand vehicle-level and subsystem-level functional requirements.
• Evaluate the impact of tire and wheel design on:
• Vehicle dynamics
• Handling
• Ride comfort
• NVH
• Fatigue
• Structural stiffness
• Durability
• Study component packaging, serviceability, assembly and cost implications.
• Identify interdependencies between wheel/tire assemblies and other chassis systems.

Manufacturing & Process Knowledge

• Understand manufacturing processes relevant to wheels and chassis components.
• Work with manufacturing and supplier teams to resolve process-related engineering issues. .