Principle Mechanical Development Engineer

LER TechForce; Michigan; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401K with match

Disability and life insurance

Professional development

Job summary

LER TechForce is seeking a Principal Mechanical Development Engineer to work onsite at our client in Van Buren Township, MI. You will lead powertrain and transmission projects, coordinate across test, design, and suppliers, and manage DVPs and FMEAs.

The role requires experience in automotive mechanical development, strong engineering fundamentals, and travel to client sites as needed. You will supervise teams, prepare proposals, and drive design validation activities across international

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive engineering and mechanical development.
• Ability to apply fundamental engineering principles to powertrain projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication; excellent reporting skills.
• Experience on client sites and willingness to travel.
• Ability to coordinate information across multiple departments.
• Understanding of engineering drawings and fault-finding techniques.
• Commercial awareness and people-management capabilities.
• Understanding of CAE/CFD techniques is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead powertrain, transmission, and industrial projects across systems.
• Work at Detroit office with travel to client sites as needed.
• Coordinate with test, design, analysis, and suppliers to define DVPs and FMEAs.
• Analyze test results and recommend design changes for new powertrains.
• Prepare work proposals and lead project planning activities.
• Interface with engineering teams and specialists; lead a cross-functional team.
• Oversee instrument data capture and test procedures; conduct validation.
• Develop and manage DVPs; support design release processes.

Skills

Automotive engineering

Powertrain systems

Project management

Communication skills

Engineering principles

Interpersonal skills

Team leadership

Travel willingness

Technical problem solving

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

CAE/CFD knowledge

Instrumentation

Dynamometer testing

Durability test rigs

Job description

Are you looking to work for a company that provides an innovative work environment, and your voice is heard? We are currently looking for a Principal Mechanical Development Engineer to work onsite at our client in Van Buren Township.

This position is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Who we are:

LER TechForce is an industry leader in embedded controls, software, functional safety, and engineering talent. For over 20 years LER has been working with customers across North America. Follow us at: LER TechForce on LinkedIn.

What you will be doing:

• Work on powertrain, transmission, and industrial focused projects across a wide spectrum of applications and their associated systems and sub-systems.
• Be based at the Detroit office with flexibility to work at other sites and at customer locations in the U.S. (for a pre-agreed period of time if the project requires it).
• Cooperate closely with stakeholder areas such as test, design, analysis, attributes, business development, metallurgical and chemical laboratories, and suppliers to facilitate FMEAs and define appropriate Design Validation Plans (DVPs).
• Analyze test and analysis results and make recommendations for design changes on new powertrain designs, vehicle interface systems, or lead failure investigation projects.
• Work alone or as part of a cross-functional and possibly international team depending on project requirements.
• Team management.
• Proposal preparation.
• Understand the product development process for powertrains and transmissions.
• Define system and component specifications.
• Conduct rig and system validation testing.
• Manage instrumentation and data capture.
• Facilitate FMEAs.
• Develop and manage DVPs (Design Validation Plans).
• Apply structured problem solving (e.g., 8D, DMAIC process).
• Prepare and release test procedures.
• Conduct post-test teardown and inspection.
• Apply metrology skills.
• Liaise with component manufacturers and suppliers; support the design release process.
• Prepare and execute component, system, engine, and vehicle testing either at Ricardo or off-site with the customer, including: specialist instrumentation; prototype component manufacture; component and system functional and durability test rigs; functionality and durability engine dynamometer tests; functionality and durability vehicle tests.
• Conduct investigations and produce technical reports to respond to customer powertrain enquiries on current and advanced technology on component or engine systems.
• Prepare work proposals and lead project planning activities.
• Interface with engineering teams and specialists.

What you'll need to be successful:

• Relevant experience in the automotive engineering industry and in the field of mechanical development.
• Strong ability to apply fundamental engineering principles.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written communication, PC, and presentation skills.
• Technical task management of projects and engineers.
• Broad engineering knowledge of powertrain systems.
• Ability to work on client sites; willingness to travel.
• Ability to coordinate and understand information from multiple engineering departments.
• Ability to understand engineering drawings.
• Experience with fault-finding techniques used in the automotive industry.
• Good presentation and reporting skills.
• Commercially aware professional with an acceptable level of people management skills.

Preferred:

• A good engineering degree (preferential but not essential; other backgrounds considered).
• Understanding of transmission design.
• Understanding of CAE and CFD techniques.
• Understanding of engine component and system design for gasoline and diesel engines with a basic knowledge of transmission operation.
• Understanding of component manufacture and the design release process.

What you'll get:

• Full benefits: medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA
• 401K with a match and immediate vesting
• Short-term and Long-term disability, life insurance and other optional benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Ongoing professional development opportunities including Technical Training and Leadership Development
• The opportunity to work on industry leading projects