Principal NX/CATIA Design Engineer, Automotive Launch

Magna Glass; Holland (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Magna Exteriors is seeking aDesign Engineer to lead CAD data release and 3D model development for new exterior product launches. You will drive CAE studies, de-risk designs, and coordinate with customers and manufacturing to ensure robust, manufacturable solutions.

You will mentor junior engineers, conduct design reviews, and manage data integrity across NX CATIA and other CAD tools, while advancing IP protection and PDP-aligned milestones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a technical field required.
• Automotive OEM environment experience highly preferred.
• Proficient with CAD data release and documentation processes.
• Strong CAE knowledge: Moldflow, FEA, and Warpage analysis.
• GD&T fluency and blueprint interpretation essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and release of internal and external CAD data and drawings for new launches.
• Run CAE analyses to de-risk designs and validate performance.
• Plan and conduct design reviews ensuring scope, schedule and cost alignment.
• Collaborate across internal and external stakeholders including customers.
• Support prototype, pre-production, and production builds; protect IP.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

CAD data release

3D CAD modeling

CAE analysis

GD&T

Drafting & drawings

Moldflow

FEA

Design reviews

Mentoring engineers

Open Issue Lists

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or technical field

Tools

NX CAD

CATIA

CAD systems

Job description

Join the missionImagine guiding a high-visibility exterior program from sketch to series production. You architect the CAD, validate it with CAE, freeze the design with your customer, and release pristine data—every checkpoint inside Magna’s PDP nailed. Along the way, you mentor engineers, scout for patentable innovations, and ensure the manufacturing floor can build it faster, safer, and more cost-effectively. If this is your ideal arena, welcome to Magna Exteriors.Purpose of the roleLead the design and release of internal and external CAD data and drawings for new product launches, while sustaining current production with VA/VE studies and Manufacturing-led CI support.Where you’ll make an impactTransform verbal and written concepts into complete 3D models, layouts, and detailed drawings for prototypes and production.Drive end-to-end design activities and coordinate across internal and external stakeholders; adjust designs to customer feedback.Plan and conduct design reviews; keep deliverables aligned to scope, schedule, and cost.Run and interpret CAE (Moldflow, FEA, Warpage) to de-risk designs.Build robust documentation—drawings, renderings, reports—in line with company and customer standards.Perform cost analyses and tolerance stack-ups; maintain drawing systems and 3D data integrity.Serve as a trusted advisor to customer design teams; recommend parameters that uphold manufacturability and value.Lead continuous improvement initiatives and research enhancements to processes and products.Generate innovative, patent-eligible concepts; navigate Magna and U.S. Patent Office submissions; track patent status internally and externally.Collaborate with Product and Manufacturing Engineering to achieve best-in-class DfM.Execute Change Requests (CR) and Change Notices (CN) via the Magna Change X tool.Capture lessons learned to elevate future programs.Support prototype, pre-production, and production builds; protect intellectual property throughout.Foster strong, positive relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal partners.Partner with program management on product/process development and prototype tooling/builds.Operating modelLocation: North America or GlobalProcess: Product Delivery Process (PDP) – Gated LaunchPortfolio tiersDE2 — Design Engineer: Medium scope (2–4 programs at once), Standard complexity, Leads programsDE3 — Senior Design Engineer: Large scope (1–3 programs at once), High complexity, Mentors and trains othersPDP & TraX milestones you will ownME-003 Intellectual Property / Patent Searches ME-030 Critical Design Review (CDR) ME-035 CAE (Moldflow, FEA, Warpage Analysis, Other) ME-039 Customer Design Freeze ME-040 Data ReleaseWhat you need to succeedEducationBachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a Technical fieldExperience bandsDE2: 4–9 years | DE3: 10+ yearsCustomer/supplier engagement: DE2 Skilled | DE3 ExpertNew product launches and gated launch execution: DE2 Skilled | DE3 ExpertAutomotive OEM environment: DE2 Skilled | DE3 ExpertCAD platforms (CATIA, NX, other): DE2 Skilled | DE3 ExpertSkilled: Manages moderate complexity independently; can lead programs without mentorship; choices have lasting impact.Expert: Orchestrates complex, large programs; fully proficient; mentors and trains; accountable for high-risk decisions.Software and toolchainMicrosoft Excel, PowerPoint, WordNX, CATIA, or equivalent CAD systemsProfessional competenciesCommunication and English Proficiency: Professional writing, reading, and speaking; effective one-on-one presentation; strong interpersonal and listening skills.Ethics and Initiative: Integrity-driven; proactive; comfortable navigating ambiguity.Safety and Customer Focus: Adheres to safety; uses materials responsibly; cultivates strong customer partnerships.Collaboration and Stakeholder Alignment: Aligns diverse stakeholders to shared goals.Technical requirements & credentialsRequiredCAD proficiencyStrong mathematics capabilityGD&T fluency; blueprint interpretationAbility to support and maintain DFMEA, Open Issue Lists, and timelinesDesiredActive membership in a design-related professional engineering organizationASME GD&T certificationBroader proficiency setGD&TOEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing)PFMEASupplier ManagementCAD SoftwareDesign for Manufacturability (DFM)Product Design ExperienceEngineering DegreeSupplier Negotiation ExperienceTech you’ll useNX CAD (Siemens) and related CAD toolsWork style & travelLimited travel to support supplier and customer needsHands-on presence on the manufacturing floor for extended periods; on-site customer support when requestedAbility to occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds