Design Release Engineer - SAI Systems and General Adaptation

Stellantis Financial Services; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellantis is seeking a Design Release Engineer in Michigan to lead the design of SAI and adaptation components, ensuring alignment with engine and vehicle requirements. You will manage design releases from concept to production, own BOM/CNs, and collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, and quality teams to ensure timely, compliant releases.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, DFMEA/DVP&R usage, and validation planning across cross-functional teams in automotive development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor ofScience in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in automotive design/manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of component-level design and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with DFMEA and DVP&R documentation.
• Knowledge of materials, GD&T, CAE, and VSA.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of SAI and adaptation components aligned with engine/vehicle requirements.
• Manage design releases from concept to production (B-Sample to X3).
• Own BOM and CNs; coordinate with purchasing for sourcing.
• Lead PPAP for SAI systems and components; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, quality teams for release and implementation.
• Provide technical leadership and resolve design issues; participate in risk assessments.
• Develop test strategies and validation plans.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

DFMEA

DVP&R

GD&T

CAE analysis

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Job description

Design & Development

• Lead the design of SAI (secondary air injection systems) and other general adaptation components, ensuring alignment with engine and vehicle requirements.


• Develop and refine concepts for SAI systems and adaptation components based on packaging, performance, and system constraints.


• Support CAD modeling, CAE analysis, and other design validation methods—including VSA (Variable Simulation Assembly)—to ensure compliance with engineering standards.


• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering groups (engine, vehicle, systems, packaging) to integrate SAI systems and adaptation components into the engine and overall vehicle architecture.


• As a DRE, partner with SAI and general adaptation technical expert lead to uphold engineering best practices throughout component development.


• Maintain sourcing documentation for relevant components, including SOR templates, Part Inspection Standards, and Technical Specification Lists.

Release & Program Management

• Manage design release activities from early concept through production, ensuring timely completion of B-Sample, C-Sample, X0, X1, X2, and X3 milestones.


• Own the Bill of Materials (BOM) and Engineering Change Notices (CNs) for assigned system components.


• Ensure that all parts meet cost, quality, and timing targets; work closely with purchasing to support on-time sourcing.


• Lead the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for SAI systems and adaptation components, ensuring compliance with regulatory and customer specifications.


• Collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, and quality teams to ensure successful release, handling, assembly, and implementation of designs.

Technical Guidance & Problem Solving

• Participate in weekly or bi-weekly meetings with the global Technical Expert community.


• Provide technical leadership during development and production to resolve design issues, material challenges, and manufacturing process concerns.


• Lead DFMEA activities and other risk assessment processes to ensure design robustness and mitigate potential issues.


• Support the development of test strategies, including bench-level and vehicle-level system testing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with suppliers to ensure design feasibility, cost effectiveness, and manufacturability of assigned components.


• Collaborate with validation teams to define and execute testing plans that meet functional and performance requirements.


• Partner with vehicle integration teams to ensure proper fit, safety, and system compatibility within vehicle platforms.

Documentation & Reporting

• Support development and maintenance of engineering best practices in collaboration with the technical expert lead.


• Create and maintain engineering documentation—including design specifications, drawings, DVP&Rs, and validation reports.


• Ensure all technical documentation aligns with program timelines and PPAP requirements.


• Provide clear status updates, timing reports, and risk assessments to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.


• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working with design and manufacturing within the automotive industry


• Strong understanding of component-level design and manufacturing processes, including formation, assembly, and integration.


• Familiarity with product development documentation such as DFMEA and DVP&R.


• Knowledge of material properties, rigidity, compliance, strength, GD&T, CAE analysis, and VSA.


• Ability to define system and component-level requirements.


• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills (oral and written).


• Demonstrated project management experience.


• Proven understanding of Design Release Engineer responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in SAI systems.


• Hands-on experience developing and executing validation plans.


• Key traits for success: action-oriented, comfortable with ambiguity, customer-focused, strong problem-solving skills.


• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools, preferably Siemens NX, Team Center