Senior Engineer Restraint System - Steering Wheels

Sumitomo Electric; Newark (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumitomo Electric in the United States is seeking a Senior Engineer - Restraint System for Steering Wheels to lead design release, supplier coordination, and CAE-driven optimization. You will drive development from concept to production, collaborating with design, safety, and supplier teams to deliver safe, high-quality steering wheel solutions.

The role is based in Newark, CA or Southfield, MI, demanding strong problem-solving and cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Knowledge of steering wheel, airbags, and interior/mechatronics.
• Experience with GD&T and tolerance stack analysis (ASME/ISO).
• CAD skills to package component models and interface with vehicle teams.

Responsibilities

• Design release of steering wheels across product lifetime from spec to post-SOP maintenance.
• Collaborate with Design Studio, NVH/UX, Digital, and Interior teams to balance mass and cost.
• Manage Tier 1 suppliers for engineering development and program timing; act as main interface.
• Support restraint system integration; work with CAE for design optimization.
• Support crash tests and vehicle homologation with proper pedigrees.

Skills

Steering wheel design

Mechatronics knowledge

CAD packaging

Supplier management

GD&T

Electronics basics

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

CAE tools

Job description

Position: Senior Engineer Restraint System - Steering Wheels

Sector: Interior & Exterior Systems

Location: Newark, CA or Southfield, MI USA

*Applicants MUST have proof of immediate, on-going and valid eligibility to work full time in the United States*

About the company

My client is an innovative American automotive manufacturer focused on redefining affordable electric mobility. They are developing a new generation of purpose-built electric vehicles with an emphasis on simplicity, modular design, and customer customisation.

They are looking for a Senior Engineer - Interior Trim to join their expanding team on a Contract basis. The role will be based in Newark, CA or Southfield, MI.

Job Description:

• Our Client are currently seeking a Senior Engineer, Restraint System - Steering Wheels.
• This position requires an excellent understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals and prior experience in automotive engineering.
• The ideal candidate demonstrates strong problem-solving skills, ownership, technical curiosity, and a desire to work in a fast-paced product development environment
• This is a unique opportunity to own steering wheel development from concept through production while partnering with design, engineering, safety, and supplier teams to deliver innovative solutions that enhance vehicle safety, quality, and user experience.

The Role:

• Perform the design release of steering wheels across the whole product lifetime: from system specification development, sourcing, packaging, drawing release, design validation to ramp up, manufacturing support to post SOP maintenance
• Work closely with the Design Studio, Attributes (e.g. NVH, UX), Digital, and Interior engineering teams to develop the optimal solutions to fulfil the required features with the best balance of mass and cost.
• Manage Tier 1 suppliers for both engineering development and program timing. Function as the main point of contact for all supplier interfaces.
• Support restraint system integration work. Work closely with CAE team to provide design inputs and utilize CAE results to optimize the component design.
• Support crash tests and vehicle homologation. Make sure parts are supplied with right pedigrees for all crash test vehicles and other vehicle level validation and homologation needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge about the design and engineering of steering wheel, driver airbag, and/or interior or consumer mechatronics, direct experience in automotive OEM or Tier 1 suppliers
• Bachelor's degree and above in Mechanical Engineering or other related fields
• Deep understanding of Mechanical Engineering fundamentals: mechanics of materials, materials properties and engineering of materials, kinematics of solids, failure mechanics, and capacity to apply those fundamentals in problem solving.
• Knowledge about metal parts forming, plastic injection molding and associated design rules
• Experience using GD&T and tolerance stack analysis (ASME or ISO)
• Basic understanding of electronics and automotive networking
• Enough CAD skills to package the component models into vehicle models, check interfaces with the rest of the vehicle and make small modifications if necessary.
• The ideal candidate should possess enough CAD skills to modify Tier 1 CAD with change proposals and give proposals and packaging envelopes to Studio.
• Excellent people skills to manage suppliers, push the envelope to develop optimal technical solutions, ensure timely delivery of all components
• Have strong ethics and diligence
• Ability to make efficient reporting, both oral and written

Preferred:

• 5+ years industry experience with >1 project from cradle to grave
• Experience in program management
• Experience in steering wheel, other restraints, and/or interior product manufacturing
• Deeper experience with Diagnostics, software updatable ECUs, Cybersecurity, software development
• Experience with systems engineering and requirement management
• Knowledge of CAE analysis and restraint system integration and optimization
• Knowledge of latest technology advancement in the field of passive safety and interior electronics
• Experience in crash tests
• Ability to articulate highly technical issues to audiences not in the crash safety field, such as top management, design studio, purchasing team, etc.
• Skills to manage suppliers, push the envelope to develop optimal technical solutions, ensure timely delivery of all components
• Experience using APQP processes (8D, DFMEA, DRBFM, GR&R, SPC)
• 6 sigma Green or Black Belt

Work Authorization Requirement:

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.
• Our Client are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Employment is at will and may be terminated by either party at any time.

We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us if you need assistance in the application process