Automotive Design & Release Engineer – Handles, Locks & Mechanisms

HTC Global Services; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Life and disability insurance

Professional development

Wellness programs

Job summary

HTC Global Services seeks an Automotive Design & Release Engineer to drive the design, validation, and release of handles, locks, and mechanisms for vehicle closures. You will lead HLM development, manage suppliers, and guide packaging, NVH, and crash-safety considerations while coordinating with global teams.

The role emphasizes DFMEA/PFMEA, design reviews, data-driven problem solving, and on-site collaboration across plants and supplier sites to ensure timely launches and quality improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms.
• Experience with automotive mechanisms such as side-door latching systems, tailgate/liftgate latches, body closure systems, seat mechanisms.
• CAD capability using CATIA, 3DX, or Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with CAE tools.
• Experience managing product release CAD and BOM structures.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint).
• Ability to work fully onsite five days per week in an office or plant environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead HLM system design and development across engineering organizations.
• Manage and lead suppliers to meet cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
• Understand Global Product Development System and create plans to deliver projects on time.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust vehicle-level systems and evaluate interfaces.
• Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
• Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS throughout the product lifecycle.
• Review CAD in Teamcenter and ensure compliance with design rules.
• Develop engineering statements of work and SOWs; participate in sourcing.

Skills

Mechanical engineering fundamentals

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

2+ years automotive design experience

Tools

CATIA

3DX

Teamcenter

CAE tools

Job description

Job Description

Optimized Job Title

Automotive Design & Release Engineer – Handles, Locks & Mechanisms

Job Posting

Overview / Summary

We are seeking an Automotive Design & Release Engineer to support the design, development, validation, release, and implementation of vehicle handles, locks, and mechanisms for vehicle closures, including hoods, frunks, side doors, tailgates, liftgates, and decklids.

The engineer will support product development and design improvements focused on quality, cost, weight, performance, and timing. This role will also lead suppliers and guide the design of HLM components while managing requirements related to packaging, design feasibility, NVH, water management, craftsmanship, crash safety, and manufacturing assembly.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead HLM system design and design development across engineering organizations.
• Manage and lead suppliers to meet cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
• Understand the Global Product Development System and create plans to deliver projects on time.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust vehicle-level systems and evaluate HLM component interfaces.
• Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
• Perform, review, and sign off technical analyses and packaging studies, including dimensional stack-ups, GD&T layouts, CAE analyses, dynamic calculations, and simulations.
• Participate in technical design reviews.
• Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS throughout the product lifecycle.
• Review and sign off CAD in Teamcenter.
• Document, sign off, and present evidence of compliance with applicable design rules and requirements.
• Develop HLM system documents, including DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, and DVP&Rs.
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
• Develop Engineering Statements of Work and engineering concepts and participate in sourcing activities.
• Identify required validation, durability, and functional testing.
• Address issues through root cause analysis, including 8D and 5-Why methodologies, and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Apply Six Sigma principles and data-driven problem-solving methods.
• Define and verify engineering prototype requirements at the part level.
• Support parts implementation and sign-off at assembly plants and assist with quality issues throughout development milestones.
• Review the impact of product design revisions and take appropriate action.
• Collaborate with supplier technical assistance teams throughout the supplier engagement process.
• Support vehicle launches at supplier, assembly, and manufacturing plants.
• Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites when required.
• Manage product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis.
• Facilitate supplier data integration and develop CAD studies to support design improvements.
• Create and maintain part releases, BOM data, engineering changes, and effectivity in WERS.
• Complete accurate and timely releases of parts, drawings, specifications, BOMs, and revisions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in the design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms. Experience may include internships and coursework.
• Experience with automotive mechanisms, such as:
  • Side-door latching systems
  • Tailgate/liftgate latches or latching systems
  • Body closure systems
  • Seat mechanisms or seat structures
  • Farming or oil-drilling mechanism product design
  • Aircraft landing gear mechanisms
  • Heavy construction mechanisms
• CAD capability using tools such as CATIA, 3DX, or Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with CAE tools and software.
• Experience managing product release CAD and BOM structures.
• Ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and prioritize workload.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Ability to work fully onsite five days per week in an office or plant environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and releasing latching mechanisms, closure systems, seat mechanisms, or seat structures.
• Software literacy and mechatronics experience.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis.
• Experience with 8D and 5-Why corrective action and problem-solving.
• Experience with DFMEA, PFMEA, and SCCAF.
• Knowledge of phased PPAP processes.
• Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T.
• Ability to work in a fluid environment where overall vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location may not always be known.
• Ability to solve complex system issues in situations with limited standardization.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of applications and technical issues.

Additional Skills

• Release Engineering
• CAD Design
• CATIA
• Change Management and Change Control
• Critical Thinking
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Design Release Engineering
• Engineering Management
• GD&T
• Mechanical Engineering
• Microsoft Office Suite
• PPAP
• Problem Solving
• Product Design
• Product Development
• Product Engineering
• Adobe Acrobat
• AutoCAD
• CAE
• Technical Analysis
• Teamcenter
• WERS
• VisMockup
• Systems Engineering
• System Design
• Quality Assurance Concepts and Standards
• Project Management
• Product Management
• Team Building
• Strategic Thinking
• PFMEA
• Root Cause Analysis
• Six Sigma Methodology
• Six Sigma Green Belt
• Production Release

What Makes HTC A Great Place To Build Your Future

HTC Global Services wants you to join our team. Come build new things with us and advance your career. At HTC Global, you’ll collaborate with experts, work alongside clients, and be part of high-performing teams driving success together. You’ll have long-term opportunities to grow your career and develop skills in the latest emerging technologies.

At HTC Global Services, our employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits can include Group Health (Medical, Dental, and Vision), Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, 401(k) matching, Group Life and Disability insurance, Professional Development opportunities, Wellness programs, and a variety of other perks.

Our success as a company is built on inclusion and diversity. HTC Global Services is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment, where every employee is treated with dignity and respect. We celebrate differences and believe that diverse cultures, perspectives, and skills drive innovation and success. HTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a proud National Minority Supplier. We seek to empower each individual, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, included, and respected.