Design & Release Engineer (DRE) - Interior Trim Plastics

LER TechForce, LLC.; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K matching

Disability & Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Employee discounts

Professional development

Job summary

LER TechForce is seeking a Design & Release Engineer (DRE) for Interior Trim Plastics in Troy, MI. You will lead the design, development, and integration of cockpit trim components to meet FMVSS and performance targets, coordinating cross-functional teams throughout the program lifecycle.

You will drive material selection, tooling reviews, and PPAP documentation while ensuring packaging compatibility and system-level functionality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive or related field is required.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive cockpit system engineering.
• Experience with at least 3 areas: FMVSS validation, cockpit/trim plastic design, interior trim plastics & injection molding.
• Experience releasing components in PLM and managing engineering changes.
• Functional experience with regulatory requirements (NHTSA/FMVSS/CARB/EPA/FCC).
• Ability to lead teams and meetings with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, material selection and launch of cockpit system components (bins, trims, glove box, IP door panels).
• Ensure packaging compatibility, interface alignment, and system-level functionality.
• Lead product development, tooling reviews and launch of new components from concept to launch.
• Conduct supplier and internal technical reviews to address design issues.
• Coordinate with teams to accommodate plastic trim components within Cockpit system.
• Define and integrate critical characteristics with adjacent systems.
• Deliver products meeting quality/reliability targets and PPAP documentation.
• Lead design and component integration reviews at milestones.
• Engage with cross-functional teams to deliver robust IP Trim Plastics to production.
• Validate cockpit systems via test loads, setups, and test reports.
• Support prototype builds, DV/PV and launch readiness.

Skills

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Project management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Automotive Engineering

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Design & Release Engineer (DRE) - Interior Trim Plastics | Troy, MI

We are seeking a Design & Release Engineer (DRE) - Interior Trim Plastics to support our client in Troy, MI.

WHO WE ARE

Design & Release Engineer (DRE) - Interior Trim Plastics | Troy, MI

We are seeking a Design & Release Engineer (DRE) - Interior Trim Plastics to support our client in Troy, MI.

WHO WE ARE

LER TechForce is a WBENC-certified women-owned engineering services and workforce solutions provider supporting customers across North America. We specialize in embedded systems, software, functional safety, and mechanical engineering, helping organizations move critical product development initiatives forward with the right expertise.

With over 20 years of experience, we partner closely with our customers to deliver engineering support when and where it matters most.

Learn more about us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ler-techforce/

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

This role will be responsible for leading the design, development, and integration of cockpit trim components including IP doors, bins, and finish trim for Our Client's vehicles, ensuring that cockpit trim target performance and features, as well as FMVSS requirements, are met. The individual will be responsible for understanding the vehicle's technical specifications and performance targets. Utilizing the APQP process and supporting documentation, this position will ensure Our Client's quality, performance, and regulatory objectives are achieved and sustained throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead design, development, material selection and launch of cockpit system components (bins, trims, glove box, IP door panels and more).
• Ensure packaging compatibility, interface alignment, and system level functionality.
• Lead product development, material selection, tooling reviews and launch of new components from concept to launch.
• Conduct supplier and internal technical reviews to ensure packaging and design issues are addressed/resolved.
• Work with affected teams to ensure that plastic trim components (like removable trim covers, bin doors, bins more) are properly accommodated by the Cockpit system.
• Ensure compatibility with interfacing systems and components, including attaching hardware and joint design.
• Define and integrate critical characteristics (CC/SC) with adjacent systems.
• Deliver products to meet quality and reliability requirements and arrive on time for program milestones, with all necessary PPAP documentation..
• Lead Design and Component Integration reviews for each component / system at required milestones.
• Engage with Accessories, Body, Restraints, Design, Manufacturing, Safety, Vehicle Integration (NVH, Vehicle Dynamics), and Vehicle Evaluation and Verification to deliver robust IP Trim Plastics to production that meet vehicle level performance and component requirements.
• Ensure validation of the cockpit systems, reviewing test loads, set ups, reports, and results for both internal and external testing.
• Support prototype builds, DV/PV and launch readiness.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field is required.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive Cockpit System engineering.
• Applications-specific experience in at least 3 of the following areas / components:
  • Cockpit complete FMVSS, IIHS and other 3rd party rating validation.
  • Cockpit and trim plastic design.
  • Interior trim plastic materials and injection molding
• Experience working within a PLM and releasing components and processing engineering changes.
• Functional experience with all NHTSA / FMVSS, CARB, EPA, FCC, or other regulatory requirements.
• Ability to lead teams and meetings through technical tradeoffs and optimized solutions with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Highly adaptable and proactive, excelling in fast-paced start-up and new model launch environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred:

• Master's degree.

WHAT YOU'LL GET

• Full benefits: medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA
• 401K with a match and immediate vesting
• Short-term & long-term disability, life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Ongoing professional development
• Opportunity to work on industry leading projects