Mechancial Design Engineer II

Nippon Seiki North America; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Nippon Seiki North America in Auburn Hills, MI, is a tier one supplier specializing in instrument clusters and HUD units for major OEMs. The Mechanical Design Engineer will craft automotive IPC and HUD components, producing 3D models and GD&T drawings that meet DFMA constraints.

You will perform FEA and optical analyses, contribute to DFMEA/DVP processes, and support design validation during pre-production and ramp-up, while collaborating with customers to capture design requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred; knowledge in Strength of Materials, Statics & Dynamics recommended.
• Experience with automotive design and development; 2–6 years in the field.
• CAD experience with CATIA/UG; familiarity with optics and materials is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design automotive IPC and HUD components with 3D models and GD&T, considering DFM/DFA factors.
• Perform FEA, thermal, and dynamic analyses to support design decisions.
• Support in-vehicle checks at customer locations during pre-production.
• Develop DFMEA, DVP, and 5-Phase reports; analyze root causes and propose corrective actions.
• Collaborate with customers to confirm design requirements and document confirmations.

Skills

CAD – CATIA/UG

FEA analysis

ABAQUS

Optical design principles

GD&T & Stack-up

Light Tools / OPTIS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred

Tools

OPTIS / Light Tools

ABAQUS

Job description

Company Overview

Nippon Seiki is a world-class manufacturer of instruments for vehicles, agricultural, and construction equipment. Established in 1945, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Japan, with numerous facilities worldwide. Nippon Seiki North America, Ltd. ("NSNA"), a group company of Nippon Seiki, located in Auburn Hills, MI, is a tier one supplier of instrument clusters and head-up display units for FCA US, General Motors, BMW, Honda, Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Polaris, Arctic Cat and other OEM's.

Nippon Seiki is a world-class manufacturer of instruments for vehicles, agricultural, and construction equipment. Established in 1945, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Japan, with numerous facilities worldwide. Nippon Seiki North America, Ltd. ("NSNA"), a group company of Nippon Seiki, located in Auburn Hills, MI, is a tier one supplier of instrument clusters and head-up display units for FCA US, General Motors, BMW, Honda, Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Polaris, Arctic Cat and other OEM's.

Purpose of Job

The Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible to review customer requirements, specifications and manufacturing constraints in order to create comprehensive engineering product design proposals, specifications, drawings and related engineering changes utilizing and applying engineering principles, research data, and Design Engineering Standards (DES). Responsibilities also include analyzing test data, performing root-cause analysis, preparation of 5-Phase/5-Why analysis reports as needed, Engineering reports, Technical Presentation material, and deliver Engineering Presentations to internal and external customers as required.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Support the lead engineers in design of the automotive instrument clusters (IPC) and head-up displays (HUDs), creation of 3D Models and 2D drawings including GD&T for all structural components considering DFM/DFA factors and assembly drawings, cost, material & component specifications, and other design factors.
• Maintain open issues related to design developments during various stages of the development phase and develop contingency plans as needed.
• Conduct optical design and simulation using light simulation software.
• Conduct engineering calculation, stack-up analysis as parts of design development deliverables.
• Ensures accurate meeting minutes are recorded and tracked for all customer related meetings
• Conduct structural, thermal, and dynamic analysis using FEA, Lighting analysis using Light Simulation software, optical design and simulation using internally developed analytical tools and Light Simulation Software.
• Post Development: Provide technical/design support during the pre-production phase (PV testing, root-cause analysis, 5-Phase report preparation), during production preparation phase (Quality, Assembly, Process related areas).
• Provide technical/design support to assembly plants, suppliers related to quality, design related aspects.
• Execute customer design changes and reflect to internal design deliverables, and documentation.
• Interface with customer to understand design requirements during the design specification/styling development, and product development phases. Compile specification confirmation reports prior to the development.
• Support the lead engineer in the development of conceptual design, bill of materials (BOM), design feasibility studies for the RFQ response and technical presentation.
• Responsible for the development of DFMEA, DVP, failure analysis/5-Phase report creation.
• Participate in-vehicle checks at customer location during pre-production phases to evaluate the design integrity of NSI Products and to Identify design flaws or issues and compile summary report.
• Perform benchmark analysis, attend trade shows (NAIAS) and compile market trend analysis of IPC/ HUD Products.
• Assist in the prototype development during the build trials.
• Assist manufacturing plants, quality teams in resolving technical, manufacturing, quality issues.
• Assist in the testing & evaluation of IPC/HUD Products as required.
• Prepare technical documents in support of the quality gate assessment meetings with parent company in Japan.

Education, Experience And Knowledge

Required and/or preferred level of education, knowledge and skills that are necessary.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering; Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred; Course work or Specialization in Strength of Materials, Statics & Dynamics, SQC, CAD / CAE, Materials, Manufacturing Principles.

Related Experience

• 2 - 6 years of automotive design & development experience.
• Required work experience with CAD – CATIA/UG.
• Experience with the automotive, structures, plastics or optics are preferred.
• FEA analysis knowledge especially vibration, thermal, linear/non-linear Analysis are required experience; Working knowledge of ABAQUS preferred.
• Experience working with optical design principles; OPTIS / Light Tools - Light simulation software package is preferred.
• GD&T and Stack-up Analysis work experience are required.

Special Training or Competency

Observation, understanding, and execution of applicable company ISO/TS/IATF certification standards related to the role and impact on the overall organization.

NSI Competencies

• Adaptation/Flexibility: Includes keeping an open mind regarding new ideas and ways of doing things. Willing to consider alternative interpretations or ways of looking at the situation. Demonstrating flexibility.
• Initiative/Results Driven: Includes setting high standards of performance for self and others. Striving to accomplish goals even if it means personal sacrifice. Putting the goals of the organization above own goals.
• Judgment/Decision Making: Includes making decisions and takes actions that have beneficial impact. Effectively evaluating information in order to come up with sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Resource Management: Includes setting clear objectives to guide action for self or others to accomplish goals. Organizing or adjusting information, people and materials to meet those goals.
• Team Work: Includes encouraging and supporting the ideas and effort of others. Finding ways to help the team or group perform effectively.

Additional Information

NA

Work Hours

Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5pm. Off-hours as needed.

Travel Requirements

10 - 15% international and/or domestic.

If domestic travel is necessary, valid drivers’ license is required.

If international travel is necessary, valid passport is required.

DISCLAIMER

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Nippon Seiki North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Candidates must meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years to comply with labor laws and job responsibilities.