Design & Release Engineer - HLM

Optimal; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal in Dearborn, MI seeks an Exterior Area / Component Responsibility HLM D&R Engineer to lead vehicle handle, lock and mechanism design for doors, hoods, frunks, and tailgates. You will drive cross-functional work through GPDS, manage suppliers, and develop DFMEA and P-Diagrams to ensure robust system delivery.

The role requires CAD/CAx proficiency, GD&T know-how, and at least 2 years of automotive experience. This is an onsite position focused on quality, cost, and timing targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms.
• Experience with automotive latching systems and body closures is a plus.
• Onsite work in Dearborn, Michigan with potential supplier interactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead HLM system design and cross-functional collaboration to meet requirements and timing.
• Manage HLM suppliers to achieve cost, weight, quality, and performance targets.
• Create plans per GPDS and present technical analyses and design reviews.
• Develop DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, and P-Diagrams for HLM.
• Sign off CAD/Teamcenter releases and document compliance evidence.

Skills

Release Engineering

CATIA

Teamcenter

CAx tools

PDM/PLM

GD&T

FMEA

Six Sigma

Six Sigma Green Belt

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

3DX

Teamcenter

FEDEBOM

WERS

Job description

Position Description

Exterior Area / Component Responsibility HLM D&R Engineer (Product Engineer) will work on Vehicle Handles, Locks, and Mechanism for doors, hoods, frunks, tailgates, liftgates, and decklids. Components include handles, latches, locks, strikers, hinges, door checks, and manual or powered mechanisms. Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more.

Responsibilities

Lead HLM system design, design development within different organizations in the OEM to deliver Regulatory, Requirement, Design Rules, and Functional deliverables.
Manage and lead the HLM suppliers to comply with program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
Understand GPDS (Global Product Development System) and create plans to deliver on time.
Collaborate with cross functional teams to deliver a robust system at vehicle level, ensuring all system interfaces of the HLM components are evaluated and validated.
Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
Perform and/or review & sign off technical analyses of component/system functional and packaging studies such as: dimensional stackups (GD&T layouts), CAE's, dynamic calculations and simulations, etc.
Actively participate in the Technical Design Reviews.
Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS through the product life cycle.
Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter
Compile, document, sign-off, and present evidence of compliance to all applicable design rules and requirements.
Develop HLM System documents including DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, & DVP&Rs
Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
Develop ESOW (Engineering Statement of Work), EC (Engineering concepts) and participate in the Sourcing Process (SOBA, ED&T review, piece cost and tooling cost review.
Identify validation, durability and functional tests required as per SDS & ES. (DVP / FEDE)
Address issues with root cause analysis (8Ds, 3x5Why) and permanent corrective actions implementation.
Apply knowledge of six sigma principles.
Define and verify engineering prototypes requirements at part level.
Parts implementation/Sign-off at assembly plant & assistance with quality issues at all milestones.
Review impact of PDL revisions and proceed accordingly if affected.
Collaborate with STA with technical assistance through the Supplier Engagement Process.
Lead HLM system on OEM vehicles launch at supplier, OEM Assembly and other Manufacturing plants

Skills Required

Release Engineering
CATIA Create, modify, and review 3D models and drawings for HLM components, system, and vehicle interfaces.
CAD Design Develop and evaluate HLM component packaging, layouts, clearances, and interfaces.
Change Management Assess, coordinate, and implement engineering changes while protecting quality, cost, and timing.
Critical Thinking Make sound decisions across technical, manufacturing, cost, and timing constraints.
Cross-functional Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and plant teams.
Design Release Engineer Own HLM component design, release, validation, supplier readiness, launch, and production support.
Desktop Applications Use business and engineering applications for analysis, documentation, and communication.
Engineering Management Manage deliverables, milestones, risks, supplier actions, and issue closure.
GD&T Interpret and apply GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and dimensional requirements.
Mechanical Engineering Apply mechanical design, kinematics, loads, materials, durability, and manufacturing principles.
Microsoft Office Suite Use Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint for engineering work.
PPAP Support Phased PPAP, supplier process readiness, production approval, and launch closure.
Problem Solving Use OEM A3-8D/8D with structured methods with Data driven analysis to identify, verify & validate root cause, implement DV/PV validated corrective action, and prevent recurrence.
Product Design Develop robust, manufacturable HLM designs meeting safety, quality, cost, mass, and timing targets.
Product Development Support the product lifecycle from concept and validation through launch and improvement.
Product Engineering Integrate requirements, design, validation, supplier, and manufacturing inputs into production-ready solutions.
Root Cause Analysis Use data, testing, and structured analysis to confirm and resolve technical root causes.
Six Sigma Green Belt Apply Green Belt-level data analysis and problem-solving methods; certification may be preferred.
Six Sigma Methodology Use data-driven methods to improve quality, reliability, and process performance.
Vis Mockup Use digital mockup tools to verify packaging, clearances, assembly access, and mechanism motion.
WERS Create and maintain part releases, BOM data, engineering changes, and effectivity in WERS.
Production Release Complete accurate, timely releases of parts, drawings, specifications, BOMs, and revisions

Experience Required

Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical engineering or a related field.
2+ years of engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms. Can include experience from internships and coursework.
Automotive Latching system like Side Door latching, tailgate/liftgate latch and or latching system
Automotive product engineer and/or design release engineer on Body closures system and on Seat mechanism and or Seat structures
Farming and/or oil drilling mechanism product design experience
Aero plane landing gear mechanism product engineer experience
Heavy construction mechanism product engineer experience
CAD Capable (such as CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter) & familiarity with CAE tools and software.
The D&R Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis.
This role also includes facilitating supplier data integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.
Integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently
Demonstrated ability to show initiative and prioritize workload.
Ability to travel domestical and international.
Proficient in MS Office apps such as Excel, Word, Power Point MS Teams, and MS Azure SharePoint.
This position is onsite 5 days a week in office and/or OEM plant

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Additional Information

***FULLY ONSITE*** / Based in Dearborn, Michigan. Occasional travel to suppliers, test facilities, Supplier and OEM stamping/assembly plants may be required.