Senior Product Engineer

Hi-Lex Controls; Rochester Hills (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HI-LEX, Rochester Hills, MI, is seeking a senior engineer to lead end-to-end design of new systems and product concepts. The role focuses on meeting customer requirements, performance metrics, and quality standards, while guiding internal teams and external partners from inception through production launch.

You will provide technical leadership, manage prototypes and testing, and drive robust design verification, with frequent collaboration across manufacturing, sales, and quality groups.

Qualifications

• 4‑year degree in mechanical engineering, engineering technology or equivalent field.
• 10+ years of automotive engineering and design experience.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop new concepts and products aligned with Hi‑Lex objectives.
• Assess feasibility of concepts using advanced analytics.
• Verify interfaces through design studies and statistical analysis.
• Develop test methods and specifications from customer requirements.
• Provide technical leadership across internal teams and with customers.
• Lead prototype builds, testing, and validation.
• Create and check 3D models, drawings, and design studies.
• Ensure root cause analysis and permanent corrective action for failures.
• Lead VA/VE cost-reduction and DFM activities.
• Support 5S and operational improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5

CAD/CAE tools

DOE

FMEA

DFM

Job description

Job Location: HAC (Rochester Hills), Rochester Hills, MI 48309.

Position Type: Full-Time.

Shift: First Shift.

Company: HI-LEX. Founded in 1946, HI-LEX is a leading supplier of window regulators, door modules, power lift gate systems, and mechanical control cables primarily serving the automotive industry, the power sports, marine, construction equipment, and medical device sectors. Headquartered in Takarazuka, Japan (near Osaka), and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), HI-LEX employs more than 12,000 associates across its global footprint.

Website: HI-LEX.com

Position Summary

This position is primarily accountable for the end-to-end design, innovative conception, and robust development of entirely new systems and product concepts. A core responsibility is ensuring that all developed solutions meet and exceed specified customer requirements, performance metrics, and quality standards. The role also provides critical technical leadership and serves as an authoritative subject‑matter expert and consultant, supporting internal Hi‑Lex teams (e.g., manufacturing, quality, sales) and external customers, partners, and suppliers from inception through production launch.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop new concepts and products in accordance with Hi‑Lex business objectives.
• Determine feasibility of new concepts using advanced analytical tools.
• Verify critical interfaces via design study and statistical analysis as required to ensure design robustness.
• Develop test methods and specifications based on customer requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customer associates.
• Manage prototype builds and testing/validation for assigned products.
• Provide technical leadership to customers, Hi‑Lex manufacturing, Sales, Quality Assurance, Program Management and other groups.
• Create, revise and check 3D models, drawings and design studies.
• Ensure root cause is identified and permanent corrective action is implemented for product test failures, quality concerns and warranty returns.
• Interact with customers, vendors, and Hi‑Lex personnel to lead VA/VE cost‑reduction and ease‑of‑manufacturing (DFM) activities.
• Promote an associate relations environment that is consistent with long‑term management objectives.
• Provide leadership, training and technical support to product engineers, designers and technicians.
• Lead competitor benchmarking activities.
• Perform other duties as necessary.
• Support 5S activities.

Qualifications / Education

• 4‑year degree in mechanical engineering, engineering technology or equivalent field.

Functional Experience

• Thorough knowledge of applicable Hi‑Lex products and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of engineering practices (GD&T, DOE, FMEA, DFM, CAD applications, statistical analysis, etc.).

Industry Experience

• 10 or more years of experience in Automotive Engineering and Design.

Core Competencies

• Product development and design.
• CAD skills: CATIA V5.
• Knowledge of CAE tools and how to interpret results.
• Quality tools and DFMEA.
• Manufacturing processes.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

Required Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership & Mentoring.
• Problem‑solving and critical thinking.
• Project Management.
• Adaptability and continuous improvement.

Other Requirements

• Office environment with noise from computer peripherals such as printers.
• Periodic factory visits with noise from manufacturing equipment.
• Periodic travel by air, car or train to other company operations, customers and/or suppliers.