Product Development Engineer

SLPT; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plans

Paid holidays and PTO

Professional development and training

Career advancement opportunities

Employee assistance resources

Job summary

SLPT Automotive is seeking a highly motivated Product Development Engineer to join our global Pump Engineering team. In this customer-facing role, you will lead the design and development of mechanical and mechatronic pump systems for automotive OEM applications across North America and Europe.

You will work with customers and cross-functional teams to translate technical requirements into innovative, high-quality product solutions that exceed expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Mechatronic engineering.
• Experience with NX and CATIA CAD systems.
• Knowledge of GD&T.
• Strong engineering problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and with global teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead product design and development activities for assigned customer applications.
• Create innovative technical solutions that satisfy customer requirements and business objectives.
• Develop detailed component, subassembly, and assembly designs.
• Release complete and accurate design packages, drawings, models, and engineering specifications.
• Evaluate design performance and implement improvements based on testing and validation results.
• Serve as the primary engineering interface with customers throughout the development process.
• Maintain continuous communication with customers and global SLPT engineering teams.
• Conduct customer visits and technical reviews to support program development and relationship growth.
• Collaborate with customers to fully understand technical requirements and expectations.
• Present design concepts, project status updates, development activities, and validation results.
• Lead engineering activities throughout the APQP process.
• Manage engineering deliverables to meet program timing and customer milestones.
• Support successful product launches and ongoing product changes.
• Coordinate execution of product development activities across multiple functional groups.
• Ensure timely completion of project deliverables and documentation.
• Lead development testing activities and analyze test results.
• Support customer testing and validation efforts both on-site and remotely.
• Recommend design modifications based on test performance and validation outcomes.
• Ensure products meet technical performance, durability, and customer requirements.
• Prepare and maintain critical engineering documentation, including design release packages, engineering drawings, product specifications, GD&T documentation, tolerance stack-ups, DFMEA, DVP&R, prototype control plans, and customer approval packages.
• Manage design changes throughout product development and production lifecycles.
• Support customer-specific PDM and PLM systems.
• Manage CAD and engineering data exchange through customer EDI systems.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance of engineering documentation and data submissions.
• Identify opportunities to improve performance, quality, manufacturability, and cost.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams on continuous improvement activities.
• Support product enhancements and future platform development initiatives.
• Provide technical support for new business opportunities.
• Participate in customer presentations and engineering discussions.
• Support Sales and Marketing teams with technical expertise during proposal development.
• Identify emerging OEM trends and future market opportunities.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Project management

Customer relationship management

Technical problem solving

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Mechatronic Engineering

Tools

NX CAD

CATIA CAD

GD&T

Job description

At SLPT, engineers don't just develop products. They help define the future of transportation.

As a Product Development Engineer, you will work at the center of innovation, collaborating with leading automotive OEMs, global engineering teams, and cross-functional business leaders to develop advanced mechanical and mechatronic pump technologies. From initial concept through production launch, you'll play a critical role in creating products that power some of the world's most advanced vehicles.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise, customer interaction, and project leadership while working with cutting-edge technologies in traditional, hybrid, and electrified powertrain systems. If you're passionate about innovation, customer collaboration, and bringing new products to market, SLPT is the place to accelerate your career.

About SLPT

SLPT is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced automotive components and systems specializing in pumps, valvetrain, transmission, and electric drive technologies.

Driven by innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, quality, and responsiveness, SLPT develops industry-leading solutions for automotive manufacturers worldwide. Our world-class engineering and manufacturing facilities enable us to create technologies that support the evolving mobility landscape, from conventional powertrains to next-generation electrified systems.

At SLPT, your ideas help drive tomorrow's innovations.

Position Summary

SLPT Automotive is seeking a highly motivated Product Development Engineer to join our global Pump Engineering team.

In this customer-facing engineering role, you will lead the design and development of mechanical and mechatronic pump systems for automotive OEM applications throughout North America and Europe. You will work closely with customers and cross-functional teams to transform technical requirements into innovative, high-quality product solutions that exceed expectations.

This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and wants to play a visible role in customer relationships, product innovation, and successful program launches.

What You'll Accomplish

As a Product Development Engineer, you will:

• Lead product development from concept through production launch.
• Serve as a key technical liaison with automotive OEM customers.
• Drive successful APQP execution and product launch activities.
• Develop innovative solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and business growth.
• Support future product development opportunities through customer engagement and technical expertise.
• Help expand SLPT's market presence across North America and Europe.
• Contribute to advanced mechanical and mechatronic pump technologies supporting the future of mobility.

Key Responsibilities

Product Design & Development

• Lead product design and development activities for assigned customer applications.
• Create innovative technical solutions that satisfy customer requirements and business objectives.
• Develop detailed component, subassembly, and assembly designs.
• Release complete and accurate design packages, drawings, models, and engineering specifications.
• Evaluate design performance and implement improvements based on testing and validation results.

Customer Engineering Support

• Serve as the primary engineering interface with customers throughout the development process.
• Maintain continuous communication with customers and global SLPT engineering teams.
• Conduct customer visits and technical reviews to support program development and relationship growth.
• Collaborate with customers to fully understand technical requirements and expectations.
• Present design concepts, project status updates, development activities, and validation results.

APQP & Program Management

• Lead engineering activities throughout the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process.
• Manage engineering deliverables to meet program timing and customer milestones.
• Support successful product launches and ongoing product changes.
• Coordinate execution of product development activities across multiple functional groups.
• Ensure timely completion of project deliverables and documentation.

Validation & Testing

• Lead development testing activities and analyze test results.
• Support customer testing and validation efforts both on-site and remotely.
• Recommend design modifications based on test performance and validation outcomes.
• Ensure products meet technical performance, durability, and customer requirements.

Documentation & Engineering Deliverables

Prepare and maintain critical engineering documentation, including:

• Design Release Packages
• Engineering Drawings
• Product Specifications
• GD&T Documentation
• Tolerance Stack-Up Analyses
• DFMEA Documentation
• DVP&R Documents
• Prototype Control Plans
• Customer Approval Packages

Product Lifecycle Management

• Manage design changes throughout product development and production lifecycles.
• Support customer-specific PDM and PLM systems.
• Manage CAD and engineering data exchange through customer EDI systems.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance of engineering documentation and data submissions.

Continuous Improvement & Value Engineering

• Identify opportunities to improve performance, quality, manufacturability, and cost.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams on continuous improvement activities.
• Support product enhancements and future platform development initiatives.

Business Development Support

• Provide technical support for new business opportunities.
• Participate in customer presentations and engineering discussions.
• Support Sales and Marketing teams with technical expertise during proposal development.
• Identify emerging OEM trends and future market opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience with NX and CATIA CAD systems.
• Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Strong engineering problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with global teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of automotive or powertrain product engineering experience.
• Experience working directly with automotive OEM customers.
• Experience with APQP processes and automotive product development.
• Experience with customer PDM and PLM systems.
• Experience with hydraulic pump technologies, including:
  
  
  
  • Engine Oil Pumps
  
  
  • Vacuum Pumps
  
  
  • Transmission Pumps
  
  
• Experience with electric pump technologies.
• Familiarity with automotive validation and testing requirements.
• Experience supporting global product development programs.

Core Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Product Development Expertise
• Customer Relationship Management
• Technical Problem Solving
• Mechanical Design
• Mechatronic Systems Understanding
• Project Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Results Orientation

Compensation

Competitive salary offered based on experience, engineering expertise, and qualifications.

Additional compensation details will be discussed during the interview process.

SLPT offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Career advancement pathways
• Employee assistance resources
• Exposure to global engineering programs and customers
• Collaborative and innovative engineering culture

This role operates in both office and manufacturing environments and includes regular interaction with customers and production teams.

Responsibilities may include:

• Customer meetings and engineering reviews.
• Collaboration with global engineering teams.
• Product testing and validation support.
• Occasional travel to customer, supplier, and SLPT facilities.
• Support for critical program milestones outside standard business hours when necessary.

Physical Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to:

• Walk through manufacturing facilities and product development areas.
• Stand for extended periods while evaluating products, processes, and testing activities.
• Inspect equipment, prototypes, and manufacturing systems.
• Occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Utilize engineering software, computers, testing equipment, and technical tools.
• Work safely within manufacturing environments while wearing required PPE.
• Communicate effectively in both individual and group settings.

SLPT is committed to developing engineering talent and future technical leaders.

Potential career pathways include:

• Global Product Manager
• Advanced Engineering Manager
• Director of Engineering

This position offers exposure to global automotive customers, cutting-edge mechatronic technologies, international engineering teams, and strategic business development opportunities.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

SLW Warren LLC (SLPT) is committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We value diversity and believe an inclusive workplace strengthens our organization and supports our mission.

SLPT provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Employment decisions including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and development are based on business needs, job-related qualifications, performance, and individual merit.