Design Engineer

Expert Connections; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Expert Connections in Spartanburg, SC is seeking a Simulation Design Engineer for an established automotive supplier specializing in metal stamping and assembly. This role emphasizes design for manufacturability over original product design, evaluating customer designs to determine manufacturability through sheet-metal stamping and forming processes.

The position combines sheet-metal forming, stamping, CAD, tooling, simulation, quoting, and engineering-change management.

Qualifications

• Experience with sheet-metal stamping and forming.
• Automotive manufacturing experience required.
• CATIA preferred; SolidWorks experience considered.
• AutoForm experience is a plus but not required; training provided.
• Mechanical/CAD-oriented degree preferred; hands-on experience may substitute.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate customer designs for stamping, forming, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Analyze forming and stretching requirements and identify risks.
• Review and modify CAD models to improve manufacturability.
• Support RFQs with manufacturing concepts, tooling/equipment needs, vendor quotes.
• Support development of stamping dies, tooling, fixtures, and assembly equipment.
• Use AutoForm to simulate sheet-metal forming and assess feasibility.
• Manage engineering changes involving tooling, materials, production requirements, and scheduling.
• Collaborate with customers, tool shops, vendors, and internal teams.
• Support projects from initial request to manufacturing implementation.

Skills

Sheet-metal stamping

Forming processes

Manufacturing feasibility

Mechanical aptitude

Problem-solving

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Mechanical Engineering / Industrial Engineering degree preferred

CAD/design degree preferred

Associate/Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

AutoForm

Job description

Our client, an established automotive supplier pecializing in metal stamping and assembly, is seeking a Simulation Design Engineer to join its engineering team in Spartanburg, SC.

This position is focused on design for manufacturability rather than original product design. The Simulation Design Engineer will evaluate customer designs, determine whether components can be successfully manufactured through sheet-metal stamping and forming processes, and develop solutions to address potential manufacturing challenges.

The role combines sheet-metal forming, stamping, CAD, tooling, simulation, quoting, and engineering-change management.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate customer designs for sheet-metal stamping, forming, assembly, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Analyze forming and stretching requirements and identify potential manufacturing risks.
• Review, modify, and compare customer CAD models to improve manufacturability.
• Support RFQs by developing manufacturing concepts, identifying tooling and equipment requirements, obtaining vendor quotes, and providing technical inputs for pricing.
• Support the development and modification of stamping dies, tooling, fixtures, and assembly equipment.
• Use AutoForm to perform sheet-metal forming simulations and evaluate manufacturing feasibility.
• Manage engineering changes involving tooling, materials, production requirements, bank builds, racks/containers, and scheduling.
• Collaborate with customers, tool shops, vendors, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and other internal teams.
• Support projects from initial customer request through manufacturing implementation.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with sheet-metal stamping and forming processes.
• Automotive manufacturing experience.
• Strong understanding of stamping dies, tooling, forming/stretching, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to evaluate designs for manufacturability.
• Experience with CATIA preferred; SolidWorks experience will also be considered.
• AutoForm experience is a plus but not required; training can be provided.
• Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, CAD/design, Tool & Die, or similar education preferred.
• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree preferred; relevant hands-on industry experience may substitute for a degree.
• 5+ years of relevant experience preferred, although candidates with less experience and a strong technical background will be considered.
• APQP and PPAP knowledge is beneficial.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

Why Join?

• Small, collaborative engineering team with direct involvement in manufacturing projects.
• Opportunity to work across stamping, tooling, simulation, CAD, and manufacturing engineering rather than being limited to traditional CAD design.
• AutoForm training and development opportunities available.
• High level of autonomy once trained, with limited micromanagement.
• Exposure to customers, vendors, tool shops, and multiple areas of manufacturing.
• Established manufacturing operation serving the automotive, agriculture, and heavy-truck industries.