Design Release Engineer - Roof Mechanisms

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

Job summary

Optimal Staffing seeks a Design Release Engineer for Roof Mechanisms Systems. You will lead design release, validation, and implementation of moonroofs, convertible tops, and related roof mechanisms in vehicles.

Role involves supplier leadership, GD&T, CAE, and DFMEA activities, plus cross-functional collaboration to ensure cost, weight, and quality targets are met through development and production life. Travel domestically and internationally may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of automotive mechanism design experience.
• CAD capable (CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter) and familiarity with CAE tools.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Proficient in MS Office apps (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Lead roof systems suppliers to meet cost, weight, quality, and timing targets.
• Apply GPDS knowledge to on-time delivery plans.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver a robust vehicle-level roof system.
• Prepare and present technical reviews.
• Review analyses (GD&T, CAE, dynamic simulations) and sign off results.
• Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS.
• Review CAD in Teamcenter for compliance with design rules.
• Develop DFMEAs, SCCAF, DPDs, and lead design reviews.
• Support Sourcing (SOBA, ED&T, piece cost) and tooling reviews.
• Identify validation, durability, and functional tests per SDS/ES.
• Drive root cause analysis (8D, 3x5Why) and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Product Development

Product Design

Microsoft PowerPoint

CAD

Mechanical Engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

CATIA

3DX

Teamcenter

CAE tools

Job description

Design Release Engineer (Roof Mechanisms Systems)

Position Description:

The Roof Mechanisms Systems Design Release Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, release and implementation of moonroofs, convertibles tops, alternative roof tops, and related systems into vehicles.

You will also drive design improvements to increase quality and optimize cost/weight throughout development as well as through the production life of the products. In addition, you will lead the suppliers and guide the design of the roof mechanisms components, achieving compliance to requirements (SDS, Design Rules, and Regulatory), managing attributes (package, design feasibility, NVH, water management, craftsmanship, crash safety) as well as the manufacturing assembly requirements at the assembly plant(s).

An individual in this position will work on Roof Mechanism Systems, which include Moonroofs, Convertibles, and some moveable Backlites. Relevant experience here would include automotive body exterior mechanisms development, glass/glazing, and manufacturing/quality controls & methods.

Job Responsibilities:

• On-site position leading roof systems suppliers to meet program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
• Apply GPDS knowledge to build on-time delivery plans.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver a robust vehicle-level system, validating all roof component interfaces.
• Prepare and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
• Perform and/or review technical analyses, including GD&T stackups, CAE, and dynamic simulations, and sign off on results. Participate in Technical Design Reviews.
• Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS through the product lifecycle.
• Review and sign off CAD in Teamcenter, documenting compliance with design rules and requirements.
• Develop DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, and DVP&Rs, leading design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
• Develop ESOWs and Engineering Concepts, and support Sourcing (SOBA, ED&T, piece cost and tooling reviews).
• Identify validation, durability, and functional tests per SDS/ES (DVP/FEDE).
• Drive root cause analysis (8D, 3x5Why) and implement corrective actions, applying Six Sigma principles.
• Define and verify part-level prototype requirements.
• Support parts sign-off at assembly plants and resolve quality issues at all milestones.
• Assess PDL revision impacts and respond accordingly.
• Support STA via the Supplier Engagement Process, applying One OEM Behaviors.
• Travel to supplier and North America plant sites as required.

Skills Required:

Product Development, Product Design, Microsoft PowerPoint, CAD, Mechanical Engineering

• Product Development - Led a development of a part or mechanism where they had to work with and consider all aspects of manufacturing, metrology, quality, customer requirements, and costing.
• Product Design - Has led to the creation of drawings and 3D data considering tolerance analyses and function driven GD&T.
• Microsoft PowerPoint - ability to create clear and concise slides with summaries & takeaways using both words and visual aids.
• CAD - ability to open, cut sections, and measure 3D parts/assemblies. Even better if they can create CAD files from scratch.
• Mechanical Engineering - ability to lead design based on attribute driven analysis such as calculations, requirements, CAE's, customer usage considerations; and applying engineering principles & tools including DFMEA's, problem resolution & root cause analyses (5/8D, 3x5why, red-X, fishbone, GDMA, 6-sigma)

Skills Preferred:

PFMEA, Statistics, PPAP, Statistical Process Controls

• PFMEA - Created, reviewed and/or signed off any PFMEA's in prior roles. Experience with evaluating failure modes related to manufacturing processes
• Statistics - Understands basic reliability and confidence modeling, has applied distribution models and calculations when analyzing data.
• PPAP - Understand the elements of the PPAP process.
• Statistical Process Controls - Understands and can interpret process capability sixpacks.

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. CAD Capable (such as CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter) & familiarity with CAE tools and software.
• 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, and Power Point.

Experience Preferred:

• Experience in design and release of roof system related mechanism applications.
• Software literacy and mechatronics experience. Strong understanding of statistical analysis. 8
• D and 5Why corrective action and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with DFMEA's, PFMEA's, and SCCAF's Knowledgeable in the Phased PPAP process
• Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T Ability to work in a fluid environment when overall vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location are not always known.
• Ability to solve complex system issues and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to adapt your role to a variety of applications and issues as required.