DRE - Interior Hard Trim & Overhead Systems

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

Job summary

Optimal Solution Company is seeking a Design Release Engineer for interiors, focusing on hard trim and overhead systems. You will drive development from concept through release, collaborating across engineering teams and suppliers to ensure fit, finish, and manufacturability.

The role requires a BS in engineering and 4+ years of automotive experience, with hands-on use of plastics materials and molding knowledge to optimize components and processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering.
• 4+ years automotive experience.
• Experience with plastic materials and molding processes.
• Experience with 3D CAD, drawings, GD&T, and dimensional evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate injection molded hard trim and overhead components.
• Define requirements and balance design imperatives (fit, finish, DFA/DFM, cost).
• Release all components and approve validation results.
• Lead cross-functional product development with engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers.

Skills

Plastics experience

Interior CAD

3D CAD

Cross-functional collaboration

GD&T

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

NX/Unigraphics

Teamcenter

Vis Mockup

eBOM / TK0

Job description

Design Release Engineer - Interior Hard Trim and Overhead Systems

We are seeking experienced, motivated engineers to support the next generation of industry-leading Interior Systems.

About the Interior Role:

As a Hard Trim and Overhead Systems Design Release Engineer (DRE), you will be responsible to develop and integrate injection molded hard trim and overhead components into the vehicle interior. Specific component integration that you will be responsible for include:

• Injection molded hard trim components.
• Headliner substrate.
• Overhead system components (lights, coat hooks, assist handles, etc.)

This position involves responsibility for development activities throughout a vehicle's lifecycle including:

• Definition of requirements
• Design execution balancing imperatives (fit, finish, DFA, DFM, cost, etc.)
• Release of all components
• Approval of validation results

This role requires an engineer to lead and drive a cross-functional product development team including collaboration with the following groups:

Within Engineering

• Engineering Design
• Interior Restraints Systems
• Adjacent Interior Components
• Body Systems
• CCC Overhead and Hard Trim components
• Electrical System
• HVAC System
• Cargo Management System

Outside of Engineering

• Creative Design
• Purchasing
• Ergonomics
• Manufacturing
• Value Added Assembler
• Quality
• Suppliers

Education Required:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering

Required Experience:

• 4+ years' automotive experience
• Strong interest in learning about plastic materials, compression molding, and injection molding processes
• Experience using an engineering problem-solving process to define requirements, evaluate concepts, document decisions, and support testing or validation.
• Experience with 3D CAD, engineering drawings, basic GD&T, and dimensional evaluation.
• Hands-on experience with prototype builds, physical measurements, component fit, finish, ergonomics, or testing.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and communicating technical information clearly to engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, or other stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and present technical recommendations using tools such as Excel or PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, accountability, and willingness to learn within a structured engineering development environment.

Preferred Experience:

• Injection molding, compression molding, plastic materials, or interior trim experience.
• Automotive vehicle development, build, launch, or supplier experience.
• NX/Unigraphics, Teamcenter, Vis Mockup, or similar engineering tools.
• Exposure to DFMEA, PFMEA, DFSS, Red-X, structured problem solving, or PRTS.
• Experience evaluating fit, finish, tolerance variation, assembly ergonomics, or manufacturing feasibility.
• Experience supporting vehicle programs or collaborating with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and suppliers.

The below will really stand out of a candidate has these:

• Strong interest in learning about plastic materials, compression molding, and injection molding processes
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and present technical recommendations

Hiring Manager's Top Skills:

**Plastics experience is a must have**
Interior CAD & product definition - NX, 3D/2D math, interfaces for hard trim, overhead, and pillars.
Release & change control - TKO/eBOM, part/drawing release, effectivity, and configuration through GVDP.
Dimensional, feasibility & problem solving - GD&T, build stacks, mfg feasibility, and structured solving of trim fit/finish and ergo issues.

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.