Lead Engineer Tailgate

BMW TechWorks India Private Limited; Pune District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

BMW TechWorks India Private Limited in Pune is seeking an experienced Tailgate Systems Engineer to lead the development and integration of tailgate (liftgate) systems for the MINI Revo Program from concept to series production.

Lead technical discussions, collaborate with Design/CA E/Manufacturing, and ensure quality, cost, weight, and timing targets are met. 8–12 years’ experience and CATIA V5 proficiency required.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of experience in Automotive Closures, BIW, or Exterior Systems.
• Strong Tailgate, Liftgate, Back Door development expertise.
• Proven experience leading component development activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead Tailgate Systems development across all phases from concept to series production.
• Provide technical leadership for Tailgate design, integration, validation and release activities.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Design, CAE, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing and global teams.
• Lead discussions and design reviews with suppliers and BMW Group stakeholders.
• Ensure targets for quality, cost, weight, timing and function are achieved.
• Manage engineering changes, risks, issues and countermeasures.
• Support prototype builds, validation campaigns and vehicle-level problem solving.
• Mentor engineers and develop technical capabilities within the team.
• Ensure compliance with BMW Group standards and product development methodologies.
• Contribute to program milestones and overall project delivery.

Skills

Tailgate system design

CATIA V5

Vehicle packaging

Closure architecture

Hinges & gas stays

Sheet metal design

Tolerance management

GD&T

DFMEA & ECN

Vehicle testing

Supplier coordination

Project planning

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or related Engineering

Tools

Powerful PLM tools

Job description

Catia V5 DOORS Packaging Engineering BIW Requirement & Gap Analysis Tolerance Stack Up Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis - DFMEA Engineering Change Management Root Cause Analysis Project Manaagement Technical Leadership Risk Assessment

• Lead the development and integration of Tailgate Systems for the MINI Revo Program.
• Own Tailgate engineering deliverables across all development phases from concept to series production.
• Provide technical leadership for Tailgate design, vehicle integration, validation, and engineering release activities.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Design, CAE, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and global engineering teams.
• Lead technical discussions and design reviews with suppliers and BMW Group stakeholders.
• Ensure achievement of quality, cost, weight, timing, and functional targets.
• Manage engineering changes, technical risks, issue resolution, and countermeasure implementation.
• Support prototype build activities, validation campaigns, and vehicle-level problem solving.
• Guide and mentor engineers within the team while supporting technical capability development.
• Ensure compliance with BMW Group standards, regulations, and product development methodologies.
• Contribute to successful program milestone achievement and overall project delivery.

What should you bring along

• 8-12 years of experience in Automotive Closures, Body Engineering, BIW, or Exterior Systems.
• Strong expertise in Tailgate, Liftgate, Back Door, or Closure System development.
• Proven experience leading component development activities and managing technical work packages.
• Strong CATIA V5 skills with practical design experience.
• Good understanding of automotive product development and engineering release processes.
• Knowledge of vehicle packaging, interfaces, and closure system integration.
• Understanding of tailgate kinematics, sealing concepts, structural performance, and functional requirements.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and DFM/DFA principles.
• Experience working with suppliers and global cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or related Engineering.
• Good English communication skills; German language proficiency is an added advantage.

Must have technical skill

• Tailgate / Liftgate / Back Door system design and development expertise.
• Advanced CATIA V5 proficiency.
• Vehicle packaging and component integration know-how.
• Closure system architecture and interface management.
• Tailgate hinges, gas stays, latch & striker systems, and power tailgate mechanisms.
• Sheet metal design, casting, plastic trim integration, and manufacturability understanding.
• Gap & Flush and tolerance management.
• GD&T application and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• DFMEA, DVP&R, and Engineering Change Management.
• Vehicle validation, testing, and countermeasure implementation.
• Technical issue resolution and root cause analysis.
• Supplier coordination, design reviews, and technical management.
• Project planning, engineering delivery management, and risk mitigation.

Good to have Technical skills

• German language proficiency (A1/A2/B1 or higher) is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of PDM/PLM tools and engineering release processes.
• Experience with Power Operated Tailgate (POT) systems and mechatronic integration.
• Understanding of tailgate sealing systems, water management, and NVH requirements.
• Exposure to CAE-driven design validation and optimization.
• Cost Optimization / Design-to-Cost methodologies.
• Experience with aluminum, composite, and lightweight tailgate concepts.
• Knowledge of tailgate kinematics, opening behavior, and ergonomic requirements.
• Tooling feasibility, manufacturing engineering, and assembly process exposure.
• Experience in supplier development, supplier technical reviews, and industrialization activities.
• Knowledge of vehicle launch support and production ramp-up activities.
• Exposure to complete vehicle integration and cross-functional project coordination.
• Understanding of automotive quality processes such as APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, and Problem Resolution Management.
• Familiarity with BMW development standards, processes, and documentation systems.
• Agile project management and structured automotive development methodologies.
• Experience working in global engineering teams and multicultural environments.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements related to rear-end crash performance, luggage compartment functionality, and customer convenience features.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, validation campaigns, and vehicle-level issue resolution.
• Exposure to smart closures, sensor integration, and advanced tailgate functionalities.