Senior Design Engineer - Interior Plastics

Goken America; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Goken America, headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, seeks an experienced design engineer to support design and development activities for automotive interiors, leading transitions to small-scale projects and mentoring peers. You will design with CATIA, create 3D models and drawings, apply DFMEA and GD&T, coordinate with offshore teams, and ensure cost, delivery, and quality targets.

This role requires a strong cross-functional communicator, knowledge of materials and manufacturing, and proficiency in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience or Master’s degree in Engineering with 6+ years of experience designing Automotive Interiors.
• Specialties: Mechanical, Mechanical Technology, Aerospace, Automotive, Manufacturing.
• Knowledge of DFMEA, GD&T, and DFM.
• Experience using Catia V5/V6 to create 3D models and 2D drawings.
• Experience in automotive interior components design (IP, Interior Trim, Seat trim/structure).
• Lead development of assigned parts, coordinating with offshore teams and customers.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional group with guidance to Senior Management.
• Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and tooling.
• Exposure to CAE preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering activities for large-scale product development; design in CATIA, create drawings, review layouts.
• Develop concepts meeting cost, delivery, accuracy and quality targets for customers.
• Transition to small-scale projects; monitor progress and escalate issues to management.
• Support scope, scheduling, quoting and reporting for small projects.
• Mentor and train associates.
• Search for ways to increase efficiency, use up-to-date technology, and reduce costs.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

GD&T knowledge

3D modeling

2D drawings

Job description

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio (USA) with Engineering Centers in Pune, India and Yokohama, Japan, Goken is a global Engineering Services and Product Development company founded in 2004. We partner with OEMs and suppliers across the mobility space, as well as clients in non-mobility industries, to deliver innovative solutions and accelerate product development.

At Goken, we embrace our motto of “Time to Innovate” by pushing boundaries, cultivating entrepreneurial thinking, and empowering individuals who thrive on tackling challenges, embrace fresh ideas, and are driven to create solutions that shape the future. This mindset fuels our mission and empowers our teams to solve complex problems, deliver measurable value, and move our clients and industries forward.

Our Vision is to empower associates to drive innovation and lead meaningful change wherever it’s needed, ensuring we stay ahead of the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Our Mission is to build trust that fosters greatness in our people, excellence in our clients, and positive impact in the communities we serve.

Goken offers a competitive compensation structure and benefits that support professional growth and personal well-being. We also foster a culture built on high performance, collaboration, continuous improvement, and ongoing professional development.

Summary

This role will support design and development activities and lead the transition from support activities to small-scale projects by managing part and process development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the engineering activities for large-scale product development programs by investigating feasibility, performing design using CATIA, conducting layout reviews, creating drawings, and negotiating with surrounding component functional units.
• Create concepts and specifications that meet the cost, delivery, accuracy, and quality targets to represent the best solution for the customer.
• Lead the transition from task-based activity to small-scale projects within the discipline or function by monitoring and tracking the progress of projects and handling any issues that arise. Report and escalated to management as needed.
• Support management with project scope, scheduling, quoting, and reporting for these small-scale projects.
• Mentor and train other associates in the team.
• Search new ways to increase overall efficiency, utilize up-to-date technology, and reduce design and parts costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and 8+yrs relevant experience OR Master’s degree in Engineering and 6+yrs years of experience designing Automotive Interiors.
• Education with the following specialties preferred: Mechanical, Mechanical Technology, Aerospace, Automotive, Manufacturing.
• Knowledge and working experience with DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis), GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing), and DFM (Design for Manufacturing)
• Experience using both Catia V5/V6 to create 3D models and 2D drawings is required.
• Experience in the automotive domain designing interior components, particularly Instrument Panel (IP), Interior Trim, and Seat trim / Structure design is preferred
• Leading the development of assigned parts, including coordination with offshore teams and customer counterparts to manage schedules, deliverables, and technical follow-up.
• The ability to work effectively in a cross-functional group setting, including essential technical guidance to support Senior Management
• Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and tooling
• Exposure to CAE preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Goken is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and engaging workplace across all global locations. We value diversity and provide equal opportunities for career growth and professional development, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.