Closures Product Engineer

LER TechForce; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LER TechForce seeks an Exterior Area HLM D&R Engineer to drive design, validation, and release of vehicle handles, locks, and mechanisms across closure systems. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, lead supplier engagement, and deliver robust, manufacturable products for automotive closures.

The role requires hands-on CAD/Teamcenter work, DFMEAs, DDVP processes, and travel to supplier sites. A mechanical engineering degree and 2+ years automotive experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms.
• Experience with latching mechanisms, closures, or related mechanism applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead HLM system design and development across multiple organizations to deliver regulatory, design rules and functional deliverables.
• Manage and lead suppliers to meet cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate system interfaces at vehicle level.
• Create and present technical analyses, plans, and design reviews for peer and management.
• Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter; release parts through FEDEBOM and product lifecycle.
• Develop HLM system documents (DFMEAs, SCCAF, P-Diagrams, DVP&Rs) and participate in design reviews.
• Lead design reviews and ensure manufacturing readiness, quality, and cost targets.

Skills

Release Engineering

CATIA

CAD Design

Change Management

Critical Thinking

Cross-functional

Design Release Engineer

GD&T

Mechanical Engineering

MS Office

PPAP

Problem Solving

Product Design

Product Development

Travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

CATIA

3DX/Teamcenter

Job description

Exterior Area / Component Responsibility HLM D&R Engineer (Product Engineer) will work on Vehicle Handles, Locks, and Mechanism for doors, hoods, frunks, tailgates, liftgates, and decklids. Components include handles, latches, locks, strikers, hinges, door checks, and manual or powered mechanisms. Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more! The HLM Design and Release Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, release and implementation of handles, locks, and mechanisms into vehicle closures (hoods/frunks, side doors, tailgates, liftgates, decklids, other Simulated Closures). You will also drive for design improvements to increase quality and optimize cost/weight throughout development as well as through the production life of the products. In addition, you will Lead the suppliers and guide the design of the HLM components, achieving compliance to Requirements & Design Rules, managing attributes (package, design feasibility, NVH, water management, craftsmanship, crash safety) as well as the manufacturing assembly requirements at the assembly plant(s).

Responsibilities:

• Lead HLM system design, design development within different organizations in the Motor Company to deliver Regulatory, Requirement, Design Rules, and Functional deliverables.
• Manage and lead the HLM suppliers to comply with program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
• Understand GPDS (Global Product Development System) and create plans to deliver on time.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to deliver a robust system at vehicle level, ensuring all system interfaces of the HLM components are evaluated and validated.
• Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
• Perform and/or review & sign off technical analyses of component/system functional and packaging studies such as: dimensional stackups (GD&T layouts), CAE’s, dynamic calculations and simulations, etc.
• Actively participate in the Technical Design Reviews.
• Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS through the product life cycle.
• Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter.
• Compile, document, sign-off, and present evidence of compliance to all applicable design rules and requirements.
• Develop HLM System documents including DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, & DVP&Rs.
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
• Develop ESOW (Engineering Statement of Work), EC (Engineering concepts) and participate in the Sourcing Process (SOBA, ED&T review, piece cost and tooling cost review.
• Identify validation, durability and functional tests required as per SDS & ES. (DVP / FEDE).
• Address issues with root cause analysis (8Ds, 3x5Why) and permanent corrective actions implementation.
• Apply knowledge of six sigma principles.
• Define and verify engineering prototypes requirements at part level.
• Parts implementation/Sign-off at assembly plant & assistance with quality issues at all milestones.
• Review impact of PDL revisions and proceed accordingly if affected.
• Collaborate with STA with technical assistance through the Supplier Engagement Process.
• Deliver by applying the Our Client´s One Behaviors.
• Lead HLM system on vehicles launch at supplier, Assembly and other Manufacturing plants.
• Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites when required.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Release Engineering.
• CATIA Create, modify, and review 3D models and drawings for HLM components, system, and vehicle interfaces.
• CAD Design Develop and evaluate HLM component packaging, layouts, clearances, and interfaces.
• Change Management Assess, coordinate, and implement engineering changes while protecting quality, cost, and timing.
• Critical Thinking Make sound decisions across technical, manufacturing, cost, and timing constraints.
• Cross-functional Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and plant teams.
• Design Release Engineer Own HLM component design, release, validation, supplier readiness, launch, and production support.
• Desktop Applications Use business and engineering applications for analysis, documentation, and communication.
• Engineering Management Manage deliverables, milestones, risks, supplier actions, and issue closure.
• GD&T Interpret and apply GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and dimensional requirements.
• Mechanical Engineering Apply mechanical design, kinematics, loads, materials, durability, and manufacturing principles.
• Microsoft Office Suite Use Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint for engineering work.
• PPAP Support Phased PPAP, supplier process readiness, production approval, and launch closure.
• Problem Solving Use Our Client´s A3-8D/8D with structured methods with Data driven analysis to identify, verify & validate root cause, implement DV/PV validated corrective action, and prevent recurrence.
• Product Design Develop robust, manufacturable HLM designs meeting safety, quality, cost, mass, and timing targets.
• Product Development Support the product lifecycle from concept and validation through launch and improvement.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms. Can include experience from internships and coursework.
• Automotive Latching system like Side Door latching, tailgate/liftgate latch and or latching system.
• Automotive product engineer and or design release engineer.
• On Body closures system.
• On Seat mechanism and or Seat structures.
• Farming and or oil drilling mechanism product design experience.
• CAD Capable (such as CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter) & familiarity with CAE tools and software.
• The D&R Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis.
• This role also includes facilitating supplier data integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.
• Integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative and prioritize workload.
• Ability to travel domestical and international.
• Proficient in MS Office apps such as Excel, Word, Power Point MS Teams, and MS Azure SharePoint.
• This position is onsite 5 days a week in office and or Our Client´s plant.
• Product Engineering Integrate requirements, design, validation, supplier, and manufacturing inputs into production-ready solutions.
• Root Cause Analysis Use data, testing, and structured analysis to confirm and resolve technical root causes.
• Six Sigma Green Belt Apply Green Belt-level data analysis and problem-solving methods; certification may be preferred.
• Six Sigma Methodology Use data-driven methods to improve quality, reliability, and process performance.
• VisMockup Use digital mockup tools to verify packaging, clearances, assembly access, and mechanism motion.
• WERS Create and maintain part releases, BOM data, engineering changes, and effectivity in WERS.
• Production Release Complete accurate, timely releases of parts, drawings, specifications, BOMs, and revisions.

Preferred:

• Adobe Acrobat, AutoCAD, CAE, Change Management, Change control , Design Release Engineer, WERS, Vismockup, Technical Analysis, Teamcenter, Team Center, Team Building, Systems Engineering, System Design, Strategic Thinking, Release Engineering, Quality Assurance Concepts and Standards, Project Management, Product Management, Product Engineering, Product Design, Problem Solving, PPAP, PPAP processes , PFMEA.
• Adobe Acrobat Review and manage technical PDF documents.
• AutoCAD Read or update basic 2D layouts when needed.
• CAE Review analysis results for strength, durability, and performance.
• Change Control Maintain revision, effectivity, and configuration accuracy.
• Technical Analysis Analyze design, test, tolerance, and dimensional data.
• Teamcenter Manage CAD, product data, revisions, and workflows in a PLM system.
• Team Building Build alignment and accountability across teams.
• Systems Engineering Manage system functions, requirements, interfaces, and validation evidence.
• System Design Develop integrated mechanical or mechatronic system solutions.
• Strategic Thinking Anticipate technical, customer, and program needs.
• Quality Assurance Concepts and Standards Apply quality, validation, compliance, and production-readiness practices.
• Project Management Manage plans, milestones, risks, dependencies, and actions.
• Product Management Balance customer, quality, cost, mass, and timing needs.
• PFMEA Review manufacturing process risks and controls.
• Experience in design and release of latching mechanisms, closure systems, or related mechanism applications like Seat and Seat Structures.
• Software literacy and mechatronics experience.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis.
• 8D and 5Why corrective action and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with DFMEA´s, PFMEA´s, and SCCAF´s.
• Knowledgeable in the Phased PPAP process.
• Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T.
• Ability to work in a fluid environment when overall vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location are not always known.
• Ability to solve complex system issues and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt your role to a variety of applications and issues as required.