Design Release Engineer - Restraints

Optimal Solution Company; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal Solution Company in Dearborn is seeking an experienced Design Release Engineer for Restraints Commodities to design and validate seatbelts, airbags, steering wheels, buckles and related parts for Ford programs.

You will ensure compliance with regulatory and internal specifications, coordinate with suppliers, manage multiple design releases, and support PPAP for mass production. Onsite presence is required at the PDC in Dearborn.

Qualifications

• 3+ years as a design and release engineer for restraints commodities.
• Knowledge of FMVSS, IIHS and related regulatory requirements.
• Experience with simulation and testing methods for restraints and safety systems.
• Strong program management abilities to handle multiple assignments.

Responsibilities

• Monitor Interior trim and related components for Ford programs per benchmarks.
• Translate requirements into engineering targets and validate designs.
• Oversee supplier performance and track deliverables across programs.
• Lead design changes at assembly plants and coordinate with suppliers.
• Support PPAP processes for mass production.

Skills

Product Development

Project Management

Documentation

Vendor Coordination

PPAP

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

Position Description:

Design, develop, validate, and release Restraints System commodities, subsystems, and components for the assigned programs.
Commodities include Seatbelts, Airbags, Steering wheels, Buckles, Height adjusters etc.

Job Responsibilities:

• Monitor the development of Interior trim and other interfacing components for Ford vehicles according to company-specific benchmarks.
• Design parts to comply with Corporate, Regulatory and Local Requirements for parts validation, considering the WCR (Worldwide Customers
• Requirements), ES (Engineering Specifications) and SDS (Systems Design specifications) as well as Manufacturing and Assembly requirements.
• Translate Customer, Regulatory, and Product requirements into engineering targets.
• Monitor suppliers and analyze customer feedback through OEM's systems.
• Incorporation of new designs and engineering changes at Assembly Plants and leading discussions with involved parties including suppliers.
• Support suppliers and assembly departments with current production quality and manufacturing issues.
• Support production part approval processes (PPAP) for mass production

Skills Required:

• Product Development
• Managing project timing, releasing drawings and engineering specifications.
• Creating specific FMA Documents, DVP&R, and quality documents.
• Part delivery on time for each program milestone.
• Tracking of supplier's deliverables.
• Commodities include Seatbelts, Airbags, Steering Wheels, Buckles, Height Adjusters, etc.

Experience Required:

• 3+ years of experience working as a design and release Engineer for Restraints Commodities.
• Working knowledge of Regulatory and Public Domain Requirements including but not limited to FMVSS, IIHS, etc.
• Working Knowledge of simulation and testing methodologies for restraints and safety systems.
• Good program management skills with the ability to manage a number of assignments simultaneously and prioritize appropriately.

Experience Preferred:

Knowledge of OEM processes and systems. Experience in other interfacing interior commodities such as cockpit trim.

Education Required:

Bachelor's Degree

Education Preferred:

Master's Degree

Additional Information:

Expected to be onsite at PDC, Dearborn for a minimum of 4 days/ week, Monday through Thursday and Friday as needed.

Use of AI Technology:

Unless expressly authorized in the interview/skill set validation instructions, candidates may not use AI tools or other third-party assistance during an interview or assessment to generate or provide substantive answers to interview questions. Candidates should answer organically in their own words, drawing on their own knowledge, skills, and experience. Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in the candidate being removed from consideration