Application Engineer (DAB / SW) - Mechanical 73707

ZF LIFETEC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ZF LIFETEC in Washington, MI is seeking a senior engineer to design, validate, and release steering wheel and driver airbag components. You will ensure compliance with GDPEP and lead DFMEA, DVP&R, and DV/PV activities across global teams. Travel to North American plants is required.

A BS/ME degree and 5+ years of automotive interior design are expected. Join a safety-focused team that blends startup agility with corporate stability, offering growth and development opportunities in a dynamic

Qualifications

• BSME or Mechatronics degree; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of engineering design experience in automotive interiors.
• Strong analytical skills with DFMEA/PFMEA, Six Sigma, DOE.
• Experience with driver airbag and/or steering wheels preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, validate, and release steering wheel and/or driver air bag products per GDPEP.
• Create engineering docs including CRs, BOMs, DFMEA, and DVP&R.
• Lead timing and program deliverables across teams.
• Drive DFMEA development and root cause analysis.
• Lead DV and PV activities and design changes as needed.
• Coordinate with customer engineering and ZF CUU plants.
• Support PPAP, supplier reviews, and tool/design changes.
• Manage prototype fabrication and on-time delivery for DV testing.
• Travel occasionally to North American plants as required.

Skills

CAE & GD&T

Airbag/Steering design

Cross-functional collaboration

MS Office

Communication skills

Customer relations

Education

BSME or Mechatronics degree

Master’s preferred

Tools

CAD software

MS Teams

DVP&R tooling

Job description

Your journey to a meaningful career starts with ZF LIFETEC

Country/Region: US

Location: Washington, MI, US, 48094

At ZF LIFETEC, we save lives through cutting-edge technology. With over 60 years of automotive safety innovation, we blend start-up agility with corporate stability to drive meaningful impact worldwide. Operating across 51 locations in 22 countries, our global presence amplifies our mission to make roads safer and save lives.

Join us in a supportive and dynamic environment committed to safety, innovation, and reliability. As a part of our international team, your contributions spark industry-leading innovations in automotive safety. Our inclusive and diverse working environment promotes creativity, career growth, and continuous development.

Your Tasks

• Design, validate, and release steering wheel and/or driver airbag air bag product designs in accordance to ZF LIFETEC Global Development Process (GDPEP)
• Create and release accurate engineering documentation into ZF LIFETEC North American systems used in design and production including CR’s, BOM’s, DFMEA’s and DVP&R’s in a timely manner.
• Establish and manage detail engineering development timing to support program deliverables
• Lead problem root cause analysis and development of DFMEA’s
• Lead design validation (DV) and production validation (PV) including development of required design changes
• Lead technical member of ZF Simultaneous Engineering Team (SET) and customer Product Development Team
• Lead technical communication with customer engineering and plants and ZF CUU plants.
• Support implementation of VA changes
• Support supplier selection process, design reviews, tool designs, process changes and PPAP requirements as needed
• Lead fabrication, ordering and follow on-time delivery of prototype samples in support of customer deliverables and DV testing
• Perform other duties as requested by engineering management
• Occasional travel to ZF or customer plants in North America as required

Your Profile

• Bachelor degree in Mechatronics or Mechanical Engineering (BSME) (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of engineering design experience that may include experience in automotive interior systems, plastic moldings, diecasting, stampings, fastener applications & safety restraints
• Analytical capabilities (e.g. CAE, GD&T, DFMEA, PFMEA, Six Sigma, DOE)
• Experience with driver airbag and/or steering wheels (preferred)
• Excellent communications skills including technical writing skills
• Able to multi-task, work independently with good organization and documentation
• Efficient in use of computer and software including MS Teams and Office
• Ability to interface well with technical staff and functional department personnel
• Strong customer relations skills

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice.

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility.

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran

Why ZF LIFETEC?

• Innovative Impact: Shape the future of safety with life‑saving technology that truly matters.
• Dynamic Workplace: Thrive in an agile, collaborative environment where every idea counts.
• Culture of Excellence: Be part of a team with over 60 years of high standards and groundbreaking achievements.
• Growth & Empowerment: Advance your career with strong support for personal and professional development.

Diversity & Inclusion

• At ZF LIFETEC, we are committed to building a culture where inclusiveness thrives and diversity is valued. We welcome unique perspectives and actively work to remove barriers, empowering all employees to reach their full potential. Guided by this vision, we innovate and create life‑saving technology that makes a real impact on automotive safety.