Product Engineer - Fastener

Magna International Inc.; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Magna Seating is seeking a Mechanical Engineer specialized in fastening design to join our Novi, MI team. You will design, validate and release mechanically fastened joints for seating systems, using CAD tools and torque drive systems, and participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, and design reviews.

This role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing and supplier teams, ensuring compliance with industry standards and product specifications while optimizing cost and weight.

Qualifications

• 3 years fastener engineering experience required, 5 years preferred.
• Experience reading and creating engineering drawings; strong CAD capability.
• Familiarity with DFMEA, PFMEA and design reviews.

Responsibilities

• Design, engineer, standardize, release and validate fastened joints including bolts and clips.
• Develop 3D CAD models and 2D drawings for fasteners; manage stack analyses and validation.
• Support manufacturing and supplier teams to resolve fastening issues; participate in product launches.

Skills

Fastener engineering

Communication skills

Analytical/problem solving

Reading drawings

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Atlas Copco torque drive

CAD software (CATIA, NX)

MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Job descriptions may display in multiple languages based on your language selection. What we offer: At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.

Group Summary

Magna is an innovative leader in the development and manufacturing of high quality complete seating systems. Our solution includes seating structures, mechanisms and hardware, as well as foam and trim products for global automotive, heavy truck and bus industries. Our capabilities include market and consumer research; full concept development; design and engineering capabilities; testing, validation and world-class manufacturing. Our award-winning seating solutions are developed from consumer research, finding the ease of operation to be comfortable, convenient and connected.

Job Responsibilities

Purpose: Develop, validate and release automotive seating mechanical fastening products. Generally, completes the following duties and responsibilities with the support of application engineering personnel and/or engineering management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, engineer, standardize, select, release and validate mechanically fastened joints including bolts, screws, nuts, clips, rivets for structural safety and functional joints within automotive seating. Work conducted in accordance with standard operating procedures and the product delivery process.

Fastener Design & Development

• Select appropriate fastener type, geometry, material, strength, coating, locking feature, manufacturing installation feature based on application requirements, design guidelines, and engineering calculations.
• Develop joint stack analyses and validate fastening performance requirements.
• Evaluate design changes and engineering releases affecting mechanically fastened joints.
• Manage and maintain 3D CAD and 2D drawings for fasteners using CATIA, NX & PLM software.

Joint Engineering & Validation

Perform fastened joint analysis including:

• Thread engagement calculation and validation.
• Clamp load calculation and validation.
• Torque tension and friction relationships.
• Drive, snug, yield and ultimate torque validation.
• Prevailing and breakaway torque validation.
• Torque specification and multistage rundown parameter definition.
• Test data analysis and recommendation for design improvements.

Product Launch Support

• Support product development from concept through production launch.
• Participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, Design Reviews, and Program Reviews.
• Ensure compliance with customer-specific fastener standards and industry specifications.
• Review CAD models, drawings, and tolerance stack-ups for fastener-related concerns.

Manufacturing Support

• Support manufacturing plants in resolving fastening and assembly issues throughout life of program.
• Investigate assembly line concerns related to torque, cross-threading, stripping, and other joint issues.
• Develop corrective actions for production and field quality concerns.
• Support launch readiness activities and plant audits.

Supplier & Customer Interface

• Work with suppliers to develop and validate fastener designs.
• Review supplier drawings, certifications, and validation reports.
• Work with suppliers and internal supplier quality engineering to ensure compliance with industry standards (ISO, ASTM, etc.), OEM standards, and quality process (APQP, PPAP).
• Provide technical support during customer meetings and design reviews.
• Respond to customer requests related to fastener performance and standards compliance.
• Support supplier resource activities and force majeure events.

Continuous Improvement

• Maintain up to date industry and OEM fastener specifications/standards documentation.
• Update and maintain engineering design guideline documentation based on lessons learned reviews/evolving industry knowledge.
• Lead root cause investigations for warranty and field issues.
• Identify cost-saving and weight-reduction opportunities.
• Support standardization of fasteners across programs and platforms.
• Incorporate customer requirements, regulations and product specifications into the design of the designated products, ensuring compliance with operational, cost, timing, safety, reliability, quality, and manufacturing feasibility parameters.

Consult and collaborate with personnel in various engineering and design activities relative to product development requirements.Conduct effective communications within the project team and the customer, supplier, manufacturing and quality communities with guidance from engineering management and senior engineering personnel.Maintain all appropriate documentation.Provide engineering direction and support to design personnel.Review and approve engineering designs.Review, approve, complete, and submit required change notices to ensure design outputs meet design inputs.Independently prioritize the completion of tasks and resolution of issues to ensure compliance to program deliverables.Contribute to the development of project timing.Maintain Good Housekeeping of the area including fastener engineering lab.Ensure adherence to company, departmental and health and safety systems and policies to meet legislative requirements.Supports Internal / External Audit efforts regarding ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949 Certification for remote site location (Group Office).Supports the requirements as detailed in Standard Operating Procedure 8000 (Quality Management System).Ensure employee works in a manner consistent with the organizations established objectives and targets utilizing protective equipment, devices, measures, and procedures as promulgated by state and federal regulations.Establish clear goals for workplace health and safety.Complete safety talks, safety meetings, and required training occur, as defined.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability and/or physical demands required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor's degree (or bachelor's equivalency) in Mechanical Engineering or related degree or field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience/Special Knowledge/Skills

• 3 years fastener engineering experience required, 5 years preferred.
• Experience using/programing Atlas Copco (or equivalent) torque drive/monitoring systems for in-house laboratory validation testing.
• Evidence of the ability to apply academic and other engineering principles in the development of automotive components through the use of engineering tools such as DFMEA, DVP&R, APQP, DFSS Tools, Tolerance Analysis, Manufacturing Feasibility, Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving, and Statistical Analysis.
• Evidence of the ability to manage components, systems, and projects through program lifecycle with evidence of increasing autonomy.
• Evidence of the ability to make good decisions in a timely manner.
• Must be able to read, create, and comprehend engineering drawings and specifications. Basic competency in CAD and the ability to provide engineering direction to the design personnel.
• Strong communication skills: able to communicate (written and verbal) clearly and succinctly in a variety of settings and styles.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to successfully complete multiple tasks within established and changing deadlines.
• Evidence of successful performance with independent problem solving and presentations.
• Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, PowerPoint, and database applications.

Skills Testing

No skills testing required.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Normal amount of sitting or standing, average mobility to move around an office environment, able to conduct normal amount of work at a computer, able to lift seating components and utilize torque drive equipment to conduct physical torque to failure testing, may require travel up to 5%.

Awareness, Unity, Empowerment

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That's why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law. AI-Assisted Screening Disclosure As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies. Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to request an explanation of how AI is used to support decision-making. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.

Worker Type

Regular / Permanent Group: Magna Seating

We see a future where everyone can live and move without limitations. That’s why we are developing technologies, systems and concepts that make vehicles safer and cleaner, while serving our communities, the planet and, above all, people. In the right environment, your ideas can turn into industry-changing automotive technologies and improve the lives of people around the world. Let's create the future of mobility, together.

Learn more about us: Sustainability Innovation Interview-Tips