Design Engineer

QA1; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Comprehensive Benefits

401(k) with Company Contribution

Paid Time Off

Wellness Programs & Perks

Development Opportunities

Community Engagement

Exclusive Product Discounts

Job summary

QA1 is seeking a Design Engineer to join our Mooresville, NC team. You will design and prototype components for automotive systems, create CAD models, and ensure manufacturability from concept through production launch.

You’ll perform detailed calculations and collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and quality to deliver robust designs. The ideal candidate has 2–4 years in automotive design, SolidWorks expertise, and a strong grasp of design for manufacturing, metrology, and materials

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field.
• 2–4 years of relevant experience required.
• Automotive industry experience and knowledge of suspension products preferred.
• Advanced solid modeling—SolidWorks preferred.
• DFM principles covering machining, sheet metal, casting, welding, stamping, forging, and fabrication.
• Knowledge of FEA, kinematic design, 3D printing, and metrology tools.
• Ability to specify materials and tolerances with calculations.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and prototype projects using engineering principles.
• Create part models and assemblies in CAD.
• Analyze components and perform reverse engineering as needed.
• Focus on manufacturing-friendly designs for efficient production.
• Ensure smooth product launches to production.
• Specify materials, hardness, finishes, and tolerances.
• Perform design-related calculations (strength, fatigue, weight, etc.).
• Participate in cross-functional design reviews.

Skills

3D modeling

SolidWorks

Design for manufacturing

Engineering principles

CAD

Cross-functional collaboration

Calculations & analysis

Metrology tools

FEA

Material specs & tolerances

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Product Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering

Tools

VXelements/Creaform.OS

ERP inventory management systems

Job description

The Career:

Are you passionate about innovation, quality, and making a difference? If so, great news - QA1 is looking for a talented Design Engineer to join our Lakeville, MN or Mooresville, NC based team. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge products that not only meet but exceed industry expectations. As a member of the QA1 team, you’ll be responsible for product design and specifications, including but not limited to general motion control, dampers, automative chassis, suspension, steering driveline, body, and electromechanical systems.

Our ideal candidate is detail-oriented, mechanically inclined, and brings hands-on experience in 3D modeling and product design—preferably within the automotive industry. A strong foundation in engineering principles, a passion for automotive performance, and a deep understanding of design for manufacturability—including casting, machining, and fabrication—are essential. In this role, you’ll be supported by a collaborative and experienced team, providing opportunities for you to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

What You Will Do:

• Spearhead design and prototype projects using engineering principles and techniques.
• Create part models and assemblies in CAD.
• Analysis and reverse engineering of components.
• Focus on design for manufacturing to ensure efficient production processes.
• Ensure smooth product launch to production.
• Specify materials, hardness, surface finishes, and tolerances.
• Perform calculations related to the design, including but not limited to strength, fatigue, weight, kinematics, cost, flow, and speed.
• Participate in cross-functional design reviews of projects.

The Critical Skills and Experience You’ll Need:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Product Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or other affiliated discipline.
• Work Experience: 2-4 years of relevant experience required
• Experience in the automotive industry and knowledge of suspension products
• Advanced solid modeling expertise required; SolidWorks experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of design for manufacturing principles utilizing the following manufacturing processes: Machining, sheet metal bending & fabrication, laser cutting, welding, forging, stamping, casting, tube bending and fabrication.
• Knowledge of FEA, kinematic system design and analysis, 3D printing, and metrology tools.
• Experience with material specification and tolerance analysis.
• Ability to perform complex calculations related to design and engineering.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Positive attitude with a collaborative approach to problem‑solving.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, and listening) with the ability to build strong relationships across teams.
• Detail oriented, organized, and capable of working effectively with minimum supervision.
• Must have ability to collaborate, build, and maintain strong relationships with Team Members across all functions.
• Willingness to continuously learn and be open to feedback to improve individual performance.
• Must have demonstrable ability to act with a sense of urgency and accuracy, with flexibility to respond to changing priorities.
• Demonstrable technical proficiency with Microsoft Office products and ERP based inventory management systems; experience with VXelements/Creaform.OS software a plus.
• Ability to work with a diverse team.
• Verified personal and professional values aligning with QA1.

Physical Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, the team member must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. At QA1, we strive to minimize the level of physical work needed to perform the job. The demands described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable team members with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Required demands include:

• Must have the ability to exert yourself physically for an eight‑hour shift; must be able to walk/stand for duration of assigned shift in intervals of 4-5 hours.
• Position requires full use of arms and hands to reach overhead, forward and to sides.
• See and communicate with sufficient capability to perform assigned tasks and maintain proper job safety conditions.
• Must be alert and aware of surrounding for safety concerns.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs. infrequently.

Work Environment:

The work environment for this position is a combination of office and manufacturing settings. As QA1 is a manufacturer and distributor of products and supplies, the incumbent will be exposed to various temperatures, fumes and loud noise in the manufacturing setting. Due to regular time spent on the manufacturing floor, the incumbent must be able to tolerate some exposure to these workplace characteristics. The incumbent must also follow company safety procedures.

The Company:

QA1is a privately held leader in performance shocks, steering and suspension systems, chassis, rod ends and related components for the motorsports and industrial markets. With multiple U.S.-based manufacturing facilities equipped with state‑of‑the‑art technology, we are committed to delivering high‑quality products that meet the demanding standards of our customers.

Our core values: Create Solutions, Earn It, People Centric, Do the Right Thing - guide everything we do, shaping our products, customer interactions, and internal collaborations. These principles shape a culture that provides premium performance at competitive pricing, while continuously innovating to solve complex challenges. With a focus on long‑term relationships, we prioritize customer interests and deliver reliability and credibility.

Our team of over 230 individuals includes passionate racers, automotive enthusiasts, and experts from a variety of industrial fields, fostering a dynamic and collaborative workforce who work together across multiple brands and locations to create high‑quality products and deliver great experiences for our customers. Team QA1 includes the people behind our brands: QA1, Detroit Speed & Engineering, Speedtech Performance, and Proforged. While each brand serves a distinct purpose in the market, internally we are united by shared values, goals, and a commitment to doing the right thing.

Our work environment is more than just task‑oriented; it is a place where we support each other, have fun, and recognize that every contribution is essential to our collective success. We are not just a company; we are a close‑knitted, high performing team dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for our customers and one another.

The Rewards:

At QA1, we understand that high‑performance teams deserve high‑performance rewards. That's why we offer a comprehensive set of benefits designed to keep our team members fueled, motivated, and achieving their career goals. We support our team, ensuring they have the resources to perform at their best, achieve financial success, and maintain a healthy work‑life balance.

Our rewards include:

• Competitive Pay - based on experience
• Comprehensive Benefits - Medical, dental, life, disability, vision insurance and more
• 401(k) with Company Contribution - Helping you plan for a secure future
• Paid Time Off - Company‑paid days off for holidays and taking time to recharge
• Wellness Programs & Perks - Programs to keep you in top shape - physically, socially, and financially
• Development Opportunities - Personal and professional growth opportunities, including education reimbursement, to keep you improving your skills and advancing your career
• Community Engagement - Opportunities to give back through local and national charity efforts, strengthening the community around us
• Exclusive Product Discounts - Enjoy discounts on company products so you can experience our incredible solutions firsthand

The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. Decisions will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis.

Interested or Know Someone Who Is?

We carefully review every application received. We welcome applications from candidates who are committed to multicultural understanding and enriching our diverse community. To ensure a safe and secure workplace, QA1 conducts criminal background checks and drug screenings for all new hires.