Design Release Engineer

HireTalent - Staffing & Recruiting Firm; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

HireTalent - Staffing & Recruiting Firm is seeking a Design Release Engineer (DRE) to drive the development of exterior automotive systems from design concepts to full production. The successful candidate will own cost, quality, BOM, and change management while collaborating with various teams.

The ideal candidate should have hands-on release experience in the automotive industry, particularly with exterior plastic components. This position requires strong communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1+ year of hands-on Design Release Engineer experience.
• Must be true release ownership, not design-only or support roles.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned exterior parts/systems from concept through production launch.
• Provide feasibility input for designs from sketches and models.
• Manage internal documentation and change management for system releases.

Skills

Automotive industry experience

Communication skills

Hands-on responsibilities clarity

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint

Tools

Teamcenter

NX

CAE resources

Job description

A leading automotive organization is seeking a Design Release Engineer (DRE) to own and deliver exterior automotive systems from early design concepts through full‑volume production. This role is focused on true design release ownership, not CAD design support. The DRE is accountable for cost, quality, BOM, timing, and change management, working cross‑functionally with Product Design, suppliers, manufacturing plants, and internal engineering teams.

The ideal candidate has hands‑on release experience, product launch exposure, and a strong background in exterior plastic components.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned exterior parts/systems from concept through production launch
• Provide feasibility input for designs from sketches, clay models, and early concepts
• Establish and manage development timelines across the full project lifecycle
• Define functional objectives, build objectives, DVPR, and DFMEA
• Lead design execution while leveraging internal CAD resources and external design partners
• Release completed component geometry using Teamcenter / NX tools
• Validate designs using CAE resources and physical testing at component, system, and vehicle levels
• Manage internal documentation and change management for system releases
• Plan and oversee tooling construction and production of assemblies
• Provide onsite support for vehicle pilot builds and production launches
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions related to assembly, fit/finish, and functional issues
• Analyze warranty data and identify cost‑reduction opportunities
• Prepare and maintain safety compliance documentationAct as a lead engineer, coordinating cross‑functional teams to drive issues to resolution

Required Qualifications

• Automotive industry experience (required)
• Minimum 1+ year of hands‑on Design Release Engineer experience
• Must be true release ownership, not design‑only or support roles
• Experience supporting product launches with plant or supplier exposure
• Experience with exterior automotive plastic components, including:
  • Cladding
• Experience managing complex assemblies or multi‑part systems
• Ability to clearly articulate hands‑on responsibilities and ownership of released parts
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross‑functionally
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint (Word required)
• Must be eligible to work in the United States