Product Development Engineer

ThyssenKrupp Presta AG; Fishers (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Company Holidays

Comprehensive benefits package

401k matching

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

thyssenkrupp Presta North America seeks an experienced design engineer to support development of automotive components, ensuring alignment with manufacturing requirements and PLM standards.

Responsibilities include co-owning design activities, conducting DOE/FEA, evaluating manufacturability, and leading corrective actions. Requires 5+ years in automotive engineering and a BS in Engineering; Advanced degree a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 5+ years automotive industry experience.
• Experience with DOE, FEA, statistics, APQP, FMEA, Poka Yoke, and AIAG automotive standards.

Responsibilities

• Support design and development of new products and improvements ensuring alignment with functional and manufacturing requirements.
• Co-own design activities on projects, including print dimensions, specs and datum definitions.
• Assist in packaging studies and manufacturability assessments with engineers and suppliers.
• Conduct benchmarking and support design validation through testing and analysis.
• Define testing equipment needs, develop work instructions and execute or supervise DOE/DOE plans.
• Manage prototype builds: organize BOMs, support RFQs, oversee build execution.
• Follow Presta Product Life Cycle and maintain PLM records at released level.
• Summarize results from tests, FEA and tolerance stack‑ups; propose next steps.
• Lead or support 8D corrective actions for design issues and robustness improvements.
• Understand warranty issues and relation to design decisions; track historical issues.
• Conduct risk assessments and report design robustness status.
• Manage interface matrices and tolerance stack‑ups for fit and documentation updates.
• Review and update DFMEAs and ensure engineering docs reflect current status.
• Communicate project timelines and their impact on deliverables to cross‑functional teams.
• Report project/problem‑solving status to Product Engineer using structured methods.
• Apply knowledge of die casting, stamping and plastic component design/manufacturing processes.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer to local employees and plan for expat roles.

Skills

DOE

FEA

APQP

FMEA

Poka Yoke

Design for Manufacturability

AIAG standards

PLM

Risk assessment

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Advanced Engineering Degree

Job description

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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