Exterior Trim Design & Release Engineer

CKGP/PW & Associates, Inc.; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 62,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CKGP/PW & Associates, Inc. is seeking a design engineer to develop and release automotive exterior trim components, from concept through tooling and launch, in Dearborn, MI or Long Beach, CA.

The role requires experience with A-surface parts, DFMEAs, engineering drawings, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure quality, fit, and cost targets. This 6-month contract emphasizes manufacturing readiness and supplier coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• Experience releasing automotive exterior trim parts, including A-surface components.
• Experience taking parts from concept through tooling, testing, verification, and launch.
• Working knowledge of 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX) for product definition, release, and lifecycle-data management.
• Experience developing or maintaining DFMEAs and managing design risk.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and product requirements.
• Knowledge of exterior materials and processes (injection molding, extrusion, compression molding, painting, plating, substrate/finish interactions); appearance requirements and Class-A surface interfaces.
• Location: Dearborn MI or Long Beach CA; English proficiency C1-C2.
• 6 months contract.

Responsibilities

• Develop and release exterior trim components from concept through production launch.
• Define component requirements, interfaces, packaging, attachment strategy, and design direction with cross-functional teams.
• Lead design reviews and supplier discussions; resolve issues affecting geometry, appearance, fit, function, cost, and timing.
• Prepare and review engineering deliverables, including drawings, models, specifications, engineering change documentation, and design-release data.
• Lead tooling kick-off and follow tooling progress through design reviews, tool trials, part inspections, and corrective actions.
• Plan and coordinate component testing, verification, and validation; track results and drive resolution of test failures.
• Develop and maintain DFMEAs, identify design risks, and ensure mitigations are reflected in the product definition and validation plan.
• Support build events, manufacturing readiness, issue resolution, and launch activities.
• Manage interfaces with adjacent systems, such as body structure, lighting, sealing, closures, and other exterior components.

Skills

Design reviews

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Tooling leadership

Testing planning

DFMEA development

Manufacturing readiness

System interfaces

Documentation review

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

3DEXPERIENCE

Job description

Description

• Develop and release exterior trim components, including A-surface parts, from concept selection through design maturation and production launch?
• Define component requirements, interfaces, packaging, attachment strategy, and design direction in collaboration with cross-functional teams?
• Lead design reviews and supplier discussions; resolve issues affecting geometry, appearance, fit, function, cost, and timing?
• Prepare and review engineering deliverables, including drawings, models, specifications, engineering change documentation, and design-release data?
• Lead tooling kick-off and follow tooling progress through design reviews, tool trials, part inspections, and corrective actions?
• Plan and coordinate component testing, verification, and validation; track results and drive resolution of test failures?
• Develop and maintain DFMEAs, identify design risks, and ensure mitigations are reflected in the product definition and validation plan?
• Support build events, manufacturing readiness, issue resolution, and launch activities?
• Manage interfaces with adjacent systems, such as body structure, lighting, sealing, closures, and other exterior components?

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree inEngineering.
• Experience engineering and releasing automotive exterior trim parts, including A-surface components?
• Experience taking parts from concept and design maturation through tooling, testing, verification, and launch?
• Working knowledge of 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX) for product definition, release, and lifecycle-data management?
• Experience developing or maintaining DFMEAs and managing design risk?
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and product requirements
• Additional relevant skills: knowledge of exterior materials and processes (injection molding, extrusion, compression molding, painting, plating, substrate/finish interactions); appearance requirements, Class-A surface interfaces, grain and gloss, color matching, and cosmetic quality; tolerance stack-up, fit-and-finish, gap-and-flush, water management, corrosion, and environmental durability; supplier tooling, design-for-manufacturing, part inspection, and corrective-action processes; change management, build issue tracking, and production readiness?
• Location: Dearborn Michigan or Long Beach California
• English (C1-C2)
• 6 months contract