Design Release Engineer

EPITEC; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

EPITEC is seeking a detail-oriented Design Release Engineer to support the release of automotive closures, including hood, doors, and decklid. You will own DFMEA activities and coordinate with suppliers to ensure design compliance from concept through production release.

The role combines hands-on CAD work with cross-functional collaboration. The position requires experience with 3D CAD tools (NX/CATIA/SolidWorks), GD&T, and translating styling concepts into releasable engineering while

Qualifications

• DFMEA experience with cross-functional teams and design reviews.
• Ability to measure and validate designs in CAD and ensure GD&T compliance.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate DFMEA sessions and maintain DFMEAs through design lifecycle.
• Coordinate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to resolve design issues.
• Review designs against design rules and prepare evidence packages for PPAP.
• Develop 3D geometry and verification plans for closures and supporting parts.
• Support gate milestones with accurate documentation and CAD reviews.

Skills

PFMEA

CAD (NX/CATIA)

Studio Interface

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

Design and Release Engineer - Closures

Location: Dearborn, MI – 4 days onsite. W2 only!

Position Description:

We're looking for a detail-oriented Design Release Engineer to support the design validation and release process for [component/system — e.g., chassis, powertrain, electrical]. This role owns risk analysis, design compliance, and supplier coordination activities that ensure components meet engineering and quality standards from concept through production release. Exterior Scope: The individuals in these positions will support front and rear closures geometry and engineering execution — including hood, doors, decklid/liftgate, and adjoining parts. Scope includes developing 3D geometry and design concepts that meet crash load case requirements, optimizing designs through analytical and physical assessment, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, and delivering fit/finish craftsmanship through proper GD&T implementation.

Skills Required:

• PFMEA CAD and Studio Interface (example of expectation): Candidates should be able to work collaboratively with Studio and Design teams to translate styling surfaces into feasible, releasable closures geometry — for example, taking a Studio-intent surface for a hood or liftgate and developing the underlying engineering structure (hinges, latches, seals, reinforcements) in CAD (NX or CATIA) while maintaining design intent, class-A surface quality, and fit/finish requirements. This includes running interference checks against mating components and iterating with Studio through multiple design reviews to resolve conflicts between styling and engineering constraints.

Skills Preferred:

• 3D Modeling / Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in 3D CAD software (NX or CATIA) used to design, develop, and release automotive closures subsystems and adjoining parts, including component manufacturing and assembly processes. An example expectation would be building parametric surface/solid models of a closure panel or hinge reinforcement, applying GD&T per drawing standards, and running clash/interference checks against mating hardware before releasing to production.

Experience Required:

• familiarity with DFMEA able to take measurements in CAD

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree

Additional Information :

***HYBRID (4 days per week in the office. As this is a hybrid position, the customer may request in-person interviews.

• DFMEA Development: Lead and facilitate Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) sessions with cross-functional teams; identify potential failure modes, effects, causes, and mitigation actions; maintain and update DFMEAs throughout the design lifecycle.

• Design Rules Compliance: Review component and system designs against corporate/engineering Design Rules and standards; document deviations and drive resolution with design teams.

• Evidence Packages: Compile, organize, and maintain design verification evidence packages (test reports, analysis results, DFMEA outputs, sign-offs) to support design reviews, PPAP, and program milestones.

• SCAF Writing: Author Supplier Corrective Action Forms (SCAFs) to document nonconformances, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions; track closure with suppliers.

• Supplier Communication: Serve as a technical point of contact with suppliers on design intent, quality issues, and corrective actions; participate in supplier reviews and problem-solving meetings.

• CAD Support: Use basic CAD skills (e.g., CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks) to review models/drawings, verify design intent, and communicate changes with design engineers. Support cross-functional design reviews and gate milestones, ensuring documentation is complete and audit-ready.