Senior Body Closures DRE

Slate; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate is building the next generation of safe, affordable, and customizable vehicles in the USA. We are seeking a Sr.

Body Closures Design Responsible Engineer (DRE) to join our engineering team and drive the design and development of body closures and related assemblies from concept through production. You will own exterior components, collaborate with suppliers and internal teams, ensure manufacturability, and meet cost and timing targets while complying with NHTSA/FMVSS regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (ABET-accredited) required.
• 5+ years of vehicle design experience focusing on body closures and mechanisms.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes (injection molding, die casting, stamping).
• Broad knowledge of NHTSA/FMVS regulations for body closures.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced, innovative automotive environment.
• Hands-on problem-solving mindset; experience with suppliers and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of body closures, doors, hoods, liftgates and mechanisms.
• Define functional objectives to meet performance, quality, cost, mass, and timing targets.
• Own exterior component development from concept through launch for manufacturability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, partners, and suppliers to meet program requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable NHTSA/FMVSS regulations.
• Support design reviews, issue resolution, and continuous improvement during development.

Skills

Vehicle design

Body closures

Mechanical engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited Mechanical Engineering degree

Job description

About Slate

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

Who We Are Looking For

Slate is building the next generation of safe, affordable, and customizable vehicles- challenging conventional automotive design and manufacturing models. We are looking for a Sr. Body Closures Design Responsible Engineer (DRE) to join our growing engineering team and play a key role in delivering innovative, high-quality vehicle systems.

What You Get To Do

As a Body Closures DRE at Slate, you will be an integral member of a fast-paced, collaborative engineering team responsible for the design and development of vehicle body closures and related assemblies. You will own components from concept through production, ensuring all technical, cost, and timing targets are met.

• Lead the design and development of body closures and closure assemblies, including doors, hoods, liftgates, and associated mechanisms.
• Define and execute functional objectives to meet vehicle performance, quality, cost, mass, and timing targets.
• Own exterior component development activities from concept through launch, ensuring manufacturability and production readiness.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional internal teams, external partners, and suppliers to meet all program requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable NHTSA and FMVSS regulations related to body closures.
• Support design reviews, issue resolution, and continuous improvement efforts throughout the development cycle.

What You Bring To The Team

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
• 5+ years of vehicle design experience with a focus on body closures and mechanisms.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including injection molding, die casting, and stampings.
• Broad knowledge of NHTSA / FMVSS requirements applicable to body closures.
• Proven communication, collaboration, and team-building skills.
• Ability and desire to work in a fun, fast-paced, and innovative environment.
• Hands-on mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
• Experience working directly with suppliers and external engineering partners.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at

[e-mail].