Senior Product Engineer- Shocks and Struts

DRiV Incorporated; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

DRiV Incorporated in Michigan seeks a Senior Product Engineer - Shocks & Struts to lead advanced engineering for aftermarket ride-control products, driving development from design through production support and sustaining high performance.

You will mentor engineers, review technical deliverables, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure product performance and quality. The role reports to Jeffrey Schenkel, Engineering Manager.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of mechanical product development, engineering drawings and tolerances.
• Experience leading complex technical reviews and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong project management, technical writing, data analysis, problem solving, and communication.
• Experience with PPAP, engineering changes and release processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex product engineering activities for shocks, struts, strut assemblies, mounts, springs and related ride-control components from design input to release.
• Own supplier drawing reviews; validate design intent, form, fit, function, interfaces, materials, tolerances and weld details.
• Develop, review and approve engineering specifications, RFQ inputs, checklists, DVP&R plans, drawings and release documentation.
• Provide technical direction for PPAP readiness, vehicle fit checks, ride audits, data review and corrective actions.
• Lead root-cause analysis for performance, durability, warranty, supplier and field issues; assess risk and approve actions.
• Act as escalation point for suppliers and internal teams; ensure actions are tracked and closed on time.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Quality, Purchasing, Operations, Customer Service, labs, sites and suppliers for NPI and ongoing needs.
• Maintain audit-ready engineering records and ensure compliance with procedures and specs.
• Plan and lead projects, set priorities, identify risks and communicate recovery actions.
• Apply lessons learned to improve specifications, checklists and workflows.
• Mentor entry-level and intermediate engineers and review work for quality.

Skills

Mechanical product development

Engineering drawings & tolerances

PPAP

Engineering change/release

Technical writing

Data analysis

Cross-functional communication

Project management

3D comparison

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3D comparison

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION
NACA-117
INTERNAL JOB TITLE:
Snr Engineer EXTERNAL JOB TITLE:
Senior Product Engineer - Shocks & Struts
BUSINESS GROUP:
Motorparts REGION:
US/CAN
SITE LOCATION:
Stakeholder decision required JOB CODE/SECTION:
HR will add
JOB LEVEL/FLSA STATUS:
Senior Professional / FLSA status to be confirmed FUNCTION:
Engineering
SUBFUNCTION:
Product Design and Development Engineering REPORTS TO:
Jeffrey Schenkel, Engineering Manager
DIRECT REPORTS: None

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Product Engineer - Shocks & Struts provides advanced technical leadership for aftermarket ride-control products and supports the functions required to develop, validate, release, resource, launch, and sustain shocks, struts, and related suspension components. Reporting to Jeffrey Schenkel, Engineering Manager, this role leads complex engineering work, reviews and approves technical deliverables within delegated authority, resolves escalated product and supplier issues, and mentors less-experienced engineers while protecting product performance, quality, fit, appearance, timing, and customer requirements.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead complex product engineering activities for shocks, struts, strut assemblies, mounts, springs, and related ride-control components from design input through release and production support.
• Own advanced supplier drawing and print reviews; validate design intent, form, fit, function, appearance, interfaces, materials, tolerances, weld details, and application requirements.
• Develop, review, and approve engineering specifications, RFQ inputs, technical checklists, DVP&R test plans, drawings, reports, engineering changes, and release documentation within assigned authority.
• Provide technical direction for PPAP readiness, design validation, vehicle fit checks, ride audits, test-data review, 3D comparisons, and corrective actions.
• Lead root-cause analysis for performance, durability, fitment, warranty, supplier, and field issues; assess technical risk and recommend or approve corrective actions based on engineering evidence.
• Act as a technical escalation point for suppliers and internal teams, clarify requirements, resolve deviations, and ensure open technical actions are documented and closed on time.
• Work with Product Management, Quality, Purchasing, Operations, Customer Service, laboratories, manufacturing sites, and suppliers to support new product introductions and ongoing product-line needs.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready engineering records and follow applicable company procedures, quality requirements, and approved product specifications.
• Plan and lead assigned engineering projects, establish priorities and milestones, identify risks and dependencies, and communicate recovery actions.
• Apply lessons learned and improve specifications, checklists, validation methods, and engineering workflows.
• Mentor entry-level and intermediate engineers and review technical work for consistency and quality.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

EXPERIENCE: Typically 7 or more years of progressive product, design, application, validation, test, or supplier engineering experience in automotive, automotive aftermarket, ride control, chassis, or a comparable engineered-product environment. Final threshold requires HR and hiring-manager confirmation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Advanced knowledge of mechanical product development, engineering drawings and tolerances, validation planning, failure analysis, PPAP, and engineering change/release processes; demonstrated ability to lead complex technical reviews; strong project management, technical writing, data analysis, problem‑solving, and cross‑functional communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Direct experience with shocks, struts, dampers, suspension systems, automotive aftermarket applications, supplier resourcing, vehicle fitment, ride evaluation, DVP&R, APQP/PPAP, 3D comparison, and mentoring engineers. Familiarity with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 environments is preferred.

SCOPE / DECISION AUTHORITY:

Senior individual contributor with no direct reports assumed. Independently leads assigned projects and complex technical reviews, recommends product and supplier decisions, approves work within delegated engineering authority, and escalates safety, compliance, cost, timing, or precedent‑setting decisions to the Engineering Manager.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Primarily office and engineering‑lab work using a computer and standard engineering tools. May include product handling, vehicle inspections, test‑area activities, and supplier or plant visits. Any role‑specific lifting, mobility, or accommodation requirements must be confirmed by HR and the hiring manager before posting.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Works in a collaborative engineering environment with regular interaction across Product Management, Quality, Purchasing, Operations, Customer Service, laboratories, manufacturing sites, and suppliers. Site location, work arrangement, schedule, and travel expectations require stakeholder confirmation.

Other Duties:

Additional duties, responsibilities, and activities may be required.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. Additional duties, responsibilities, and activities may be assigned based on business needs.