Design Release Engineer - Vehicle Handles Locks Mechanisms

Bartech Staffing; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Impellam Group is seeking a Design and Release Engineer for HLM components at our Dearborn, MI site. The role focuses on design, validation, release, and implementation of handles, locks, and mechanisms for vehicle closures, driving improvements in quality and cost during development and production life.

You will lead suppliers, ensure compliance with design rules, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust systems at the vehicle level.

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 or body closures is a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and prioritize workload.

Responsibilities

• Lead HLM system design and development to deliver regulatory requirements and functional deliverables.
• Manage and lead HLM suppliers to meet cost, weight, quality, and timing targets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver a robust system at vehicle level.
• Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter and ensure design rule compliance.
• Develop system documents such as DFMEAs, P-Diagrams, and DVPRs.
• Lead design reviews and support Sourcing processes and cost reviews.
• Travel to supplier, manufacturing, and testing sites as required.

Skills

CATIA 3DX

Teamcenter

CAE tools

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

WERS

Job description

We are a global automotive manufacturer committed to delivering innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life. We bring breakthrough products and services that delight our customers, with opportunities around the world to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more.

Role summary / purpose

The HLM Design and Release Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, release, and implementation of handles, locks, and mechanisms into vehicle closures including hoods, frunks, side doors, tailgates, liftgates, and decklids. You will drive design improvements to increase quality and optimize cost and weight throughout development and the production life of the products. You will lead suppliers and guide the design of HLM components while achieving compliance with requirements, design rules, and manufacturing assembly requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Lead HLM system design and development within different organizations to deliver regulatory requirements, design rules, and functional deliverables
• Manage and lead HLM suppliers to comply with program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets
• Understand the 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 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 including dimensional stackups, GDT layouts, CAE, dynamic calculations, and simulations
• Actively participate in 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, and DVPRs
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance
• Develop ESOW, Engineering concepts, and participate in the Sourcing Process, SOBA, and EDT review for piece cost and tooling cost
• Identify validation, durability, and functional tests required per SDS, ES, DVP, and FEDE
• Address issues with root cause analysis, 8Ds, 5Why, and permanent corrective actions implementation
• Apply knowledge of Six Sigma principles
• Define and verify engineering prototypes requirements at part level
• Assist with parts implementation and sign-off at assembly plants and 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 vehicle launches at supplier, Ford Assembly, and other manufacturing plants
• Travel to supplier, manufacturing, and testing sites when required

Requirements - education & experience

• 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)
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Automotive latching systems such as side door latching, tailgate/liftgate latch, or latching systems
  • Automotive product engineer and/or design release engineer
  • Body closures systems
  • Seat mechanism and/or seat structures
  • Farming and/or oil drilling mechanism product design
  • Airplane landing gear mechanism product engineering
  • Heavy construction mechanism product engineering
• Proficiency in MS Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, MS Teams, and MS Azure SharePoint
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative and prioritize workload

Required skills

• CAD capability such as CATIA 3DX with Teamcenter familiarity and CAE tools and software
• 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 methodology - use data-driven methods to improve quality, reliability, and process performance
• VisMockup - 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
• Production release - complete accurate, timely releases of parts, drawings, specifications, BOMs, and revisions
• Management of product release, CAD, and BOM structures including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis
• Facilitation of supplier data integration and development of CAD studies to support and drive design improvements

Nice-to-have / preferred skills

• Experience in design and release of latching mechanisms, closure systems, or related mechanism applications like seat and seat structures
• Software literacy and mechatronics experience
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis
• 8D and 5Why corrective action and problem-solving skills
• Experience with DFMEAs, PFMEAs, and SCAFs
• Knowledge of the Phased PPAP process
• Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GDT
• 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

This is a fully onsite position based in Dearborn, Michigan. The role requires onsite presence 5 days a week in office and/or at Ford plant facilities. Occasional travel to supplier test facilities, supplier and Ford stamping/assembly plants may be required.

Impellam Group and its brands are equal-opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other factor determined to be unlawful under applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application, interview process, pre-employment activity, and the performance of crucial job functions.

If you require additional disability considerations, modifications, or adjustments please let us know by contacting [e-mail] or fill out this form to request accommodations.