Product Body Engineer

Optimal; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal is seeking a D&R Engineer to lead design, development, validation, and release of automotive exterior components. The role collaborates with Studio, Program Management, Manufacturing, STA, and other engineering teams to ensure quality, cost, and regulatory compliance across the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in automotive body/exterior development, CAD and Teamcenter experience, and a strong ability to drive system-level design decisions while managing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Automotive/Product/Systems Engineering or related field.
• Master's degree preferred for advanced roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, validation, and release of exterior/body components.
• Collaborate across Studio, Program Management, Manufacturing, STA, and other engineering teams.
• Ensure compliance with ES, SDS, WCR, and regulatory requirements throughout the lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain BOMs, support change control, and drive product quality and cost improvements.
• Engage in sourcing reviews and cross-functional design reviews (TRC/DPR) as needed.

Skills

Automotive body exterior

CAD design

Teamcenter

WERS

DVP/eFDVS

Six Sigma

Cross-functional collaboration

Sourcing processes

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical/Automotive/Product Engineering

Master's Degree in Engineering (Preferred)

Tools

AVBOM/FEDE BOM

Vis Mockup

GPDS

CAD software proficiency

SharePoint & Azure

Job description

Job Description: The D&R (Design & Release) Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, and release of automotive body and exterior systems and components, including but not limited to fixed glass, wipers and washer systems, leaf screens, badging, appliques, spoilers, running boards, roof rails, and other exterior components under their responsibility for assigned vehicle programs.

The D&R Engineer will lead early development, system feasibility, and technical design activities in collaboration with Studio, Program Management, Manufacturing, Supplier Technical Assistance (STA), and other cross-functional engineering teams. The engineer is responsible for continuous design improvement focused on quality, cost, weight, performance, timing, manufacturability, and assembly.

The D&R Engineer will design parts in compliance with Corporate, Local, and Global Regulatory Requirements while considering Worldwide Customer Requirements (WCR), Engineering Specifications (ES), Systems Design Specifications (SDS), Manufacturing requirements, and Assembly requirements. The engineer will support the complete product lifecycle from concept and sourcing through validation, prototype builds, launch, Job 1, and ongoing engineering changes.

Job Responsibilities:

• Responsible for meeting program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets using the Waterfall process.
• Understand and apply GPDS (Global Product Development System) to create engineering plans and deliver program requirements on time.
• Apply Robustness Engineering disciplines and Failure Mode Avoidance tools throughout the product development process.
• Develop Engineering Statements of Work (ESOW) and Engineering Concepts (EC).
• Participate in the sourcing process, including SOBA, ED&T reviews, piece and tooling cost reviews, and CPA.
• Actively participate in Technical Design Reviews and cross-functional engineering meetings.
• Design, develop, validate, and release parts through AVBOM/FEDE BOM and WERS throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support Change Control Meetings and worldwide engineering change processes.
• Audit and maintain BOMs with correct part levels, usage, and engineering content for prototype builds and post-Job 1 production.
• Ensure engineering designs comply with Worldwide Customer Requirements (WCR), Engineering Specifications (ES), Systems Design Specifications (SDS), regulatory requirements, manufacturing requirements, and assembly requirements.
• Identify required validation, durability, and functional testing based on SDS and ES requirements using DVP/eFDVS and applicable validation workbenches.
• Define and verify engineering prototype requirements at the component level.
• Leverage AIMS root cause analysis to identify issues and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Apply Six Sigma, 8D, Lean, and other structured problem-solving methodologies as appropriate.
• Support parts implementation and engineering sign-off at assembly plants and assist with quality issues through all program milestones.
• Review PDL revisions and determine appropriate engineering actions when affected.
• Support VQRs, VRTs, and PVT activities as required.
• Collaborate with STA and provide technical assistance throughout the Supplier Engagement Process.
• Work closely with Studio, Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Suppliers, and other engineering organizations to resolve technical issues and achieve program objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement in product quality, cost, weight, performance, manufacturability, and assembly.
• Maintain compliance with applicable Corporate, Local, Global, and Regulatory requirements throughout the product lifecycle.

Experience/Skills Required:

• 3+ years of experience in automotive body/exterior systems development in an engineering role; 5+ years preferred for senior-level responsibilities.
• Automotive Design & Release experience with body and/or Class A exterior components.
• Experience with CAD design and automotive component development.
• Experience with Teamcenter, Vis mockup, AVBOM/FEDE BOM, and WERS.
• Experience designing and releasing parts through the automotive product development lifecycle.
• Experience with injection-molded part design preferred/required for applicable components.
• Experience with validation, durability, functional testing, DVP, and engineering prototype development.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and assembly plant implementation, sign-off, and quality issue resolution.
• Experience working with suppliers and Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) through the Supplier Engagement Process.

Experience/Skills Preferred:

• APQP
• Injection Molding / Injection Molded Part Design
• Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma / Green Belt
• 8D Problem Solving
• Release Engineering
• Microsoft Office including SharePoint & Azure
• Experience with GPDS (Global Product Development System).
• Experience supporting vehicle launch at domestic and international assembly plants.
• Experience with VQR, VRT, PVT, PDL revisions, and engineering change control.
• Experience with AIMS root cause analysis and permanent corrective action implementation.
• Experience participating in sourcing activities including SOBA, ED&T reviews, piece and tooling cost reviews, and CPA

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Product Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Education Preferred:

• Master's Degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.

Additional Information:

• Position is 100% onsite.
• May require travel to component manufacturing facilities and vehicle assembly plants, both domestic and international.
• May require extended travel to support vehicle launches at OEM assembly plants.