Product Development Engineer

ThyssenKrupp Presta North America; Fishers (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Paid Holidays

Benefits package

Vision insurance

Short-term disability

Basic Life Insurance

401k matching

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

thyssenkrupp Presta North America seeks an experienced engineer to lead design activities for automotive components, ensuring manufacturability and robust performance. You will collaborate on die casting, stamping, and plastic component designs while maintaining PLM records and supporting test validation.

Ideal candidates hold a Mechanical Engineering degree with 5+ years in the automotive sector and are proficient in DOE, FEA, statistics, APQP, FMEA, and Poka Yoke methodologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years in the automotive or related industry.
• Advanced Engineering Degree is a plus.
• Experience with DOE, FEA, Statistics, problem solving tools, APQP, FMEA, Poka Yoke Design/DFM, and AIAG automotive standards.

Responsibilities

• Support design and development of new products and improvements, aligned with manufacturing requirements.
• Co-own design activities on projects, including print dimensions and datum definitions.
• Assist in packaging studies and manufacturability assessments with engineers and suppliers.
• Conduct product benchmarking and support design validation through testing and analysis.
• Define testing equipment needs, develop test work instructions, and execute or supervise DOE.
• Manage prototype builds: organize BOMs, support RFQs, and oversee build execution.
• Follow PLM processes and maintain accurate records at the released level.
• Summarize results from tests, FEA, and tolerance stack-ups; propose next steps.
• Lead or support corrective actions (e.g., 8D) for design failures or robustness improvements.
• Understand warranty issues and their relation to design decisions; be aware of historical issues.
• Conduct risk assessments and report on design robustness status.
• Manage interface matrices and tolerance stack-ups; ensure fit, function, and documentation updates.
• Review and update DFMEAs; reflect current design status in docs.
• Understand project timelines and communicate timing to cross-functional teams.
• Report project status to the Product Engineer using structured methodologies.
• Apply knowledge of die casting, stamping, and plastic component design/manufacturing processes.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer to local employees and expat role succession planning.

Skills

DOE

FEA

Statistics

Problem solving tools

APQP

FMEA

Poka Yoke

Design for manufacturability

AIAG automotive standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical preferred)

Advanced Engineering Degree (plus)

Job description

Company

Our Automotive Technology business is passionate about the automotive industry and produces as well as markets high-tech automotive components worldwide. With over 20,000 employees, we are responsible for the success of this business. Our product and service range includes chassis technologies such as steering and damper systems and the assembly of axle systems as well as powertrain components for conventional and alternative engines. We also develop assembly systems for body-in-white construction and produce lightweight car body components in series.

thyssenkrupp Presta North America is a global leader in automotive components technology and the leading steering systems supplier for the automotive industry. thyssenkrupp Presta North America provides the industry with high-quality manual and electric steering columns, rack and pinion steering gears, and electric power assisted steering gears. thyssenkrupp Presta North America is part of the thyssenkrupp Presta AG group, headquartered in Eschen, Liechtenstein. In 2003, our manufacturing facility was established in the South Industrial Park of Terre Haute, Indiana. Beginning with just one assembly line, a handful of employees and 58,000 square feet, the company has grown to over 450 employees and 224,000 square feet. In addition, we have an office on northeast side of Indianapolis where the Procurement and Supplier Development Department, Business Development and Product Engineering are now located. We have a third location in Troy, Michigan which houses our Sales Engineering, Logistics Distribution Center for USA, and Customer Resident Engineering.

Your responsibilities

• Support the design and development of new products and product improvements, ensuring alignment with functional and manufacturing requirements.
• Co-own design activities on assigned projects, including print dimensions, specifications, and datum definitions.
• Assist in packaging studies and design feasibility/manufacturability assessments with engineers and suppliers.
• Conduct product benchmarking and support design validation through testing and analysis.
• Define testing equipment needs, develop test work instructions, and execute or supervise test plans and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Manage prototype builds: organize BOMs, support RFQs, and oversee build execution.
• Follow the Presta Product Life Cycle process and maintain accurate PLM records at the released level.
• Summarize and present results from tests, FEA, and tolerance stack-ups; propose next development steps.
• Lead or support corrective actions (e.g., 8D process) for design failures or robustness improvements.
• Understand warranty issues and their relation to design decisions; maintain awareness of historical design and supplier issues (DMR/QR).
• Conduct risk assessments and report on design robustness status.
• Manage interface matrices and tolerance stack-ups; ensure product fit, function, and documentation updates.
• Review and update DFMEAs; ensure engineering documentation reflects current design status.
• Understand project timelines and their impact on engineering deliverables; communicate timing to cross-functional teams.
• Report project and problem-solving status to the Product Engineer using structured methodologies.
• Apply strong knowledge of die casting, stamping, and plastic component design and manufacturing processes.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer to local employees and ensure succession planning for expat roles.

Your profile

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in Engineering, preferably Mechanical Engineering or equivalent field with over 5 years experience in the automotive industry or similar industry. Advanced Engineering Degree is a plus. Experience using DOE, FEA, Statistics, problem solving tools, APQP, FMEA, Poka Yoke Design/Design for manufacturability, and AIAG automotive standards.

The [above] is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Your benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Company Holidays
• Comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, prescription coverage, employee assistance program, as well as optional accident & hospital coverage
• Company paid
  • Basic vision insurance
  • Short-term disability
  • Basic Life Insurance
• Generous 401k matching program
• Ample opportunities for advancement within the company

Notices

If you are an applicant with a California residency, please click on the following link: California Job Applicant Notice of Collection

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