Steering wheels design release engineer

Detroit Engineered Products; Michigan; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Engineered Products seeks a Sr. Engineer, Restraint System – Steering Wheels to own development from concept to production.

You will partner with design, engineering, safety, and supplier teams to deliver innovative steering wheel solutions that improve vehicle safety, quality, and user experience. The role requires a strong mechanical engineering foundation and 5+ years in automotive product development, with emphasis on steering wheels or restraint systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years automotive product development experience, preferably steering wheels or restraint systems.
• Experience supporting a product or vehicle program through the complete development lifecycle from concept through production launch.
• Solid understanding of mechanics of materials, material properties, kinematics, failure analysis, and engineering fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Perform the design release of steering wheels through the product lifecycle, including specification development, sourcing, packaging, drawing release, validation, manufacturing support, and post-SOP maintenance.
• Collaborate with Design Studio, NVH, UX, Digital, and Interior Engineering to balance performance, mass, and cost.
• Manage Tier 1 suppliers for engineering development and program timing, serving as primary supplier interface.
• Support restraint system integration and collaborate with CAE teams to optimize design.
• Support crash testing and vehicle homologation activities, ensuring components are available and validated for testing.
• Drive engineering ownership from concept through production launch and ongoing support.

Skills

Mechanical fundamentals

Problem solving

Ownership

Technical curiosity

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD

GD&T

Job description

We are currently seeking a Sr. 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 throughout the entire product lifecycle, including system specification development, sourcing, packaging, drawing release, design validation, manufacturing support, and post-SOP maintenance.
• -Work closely with Design Studio, Attributes (NVH, UX), Digital, and Interior Engineering teams to develop optimal solutions balancing performance, mass, and cost.
• -Manage Tier 1 suppliers for engineering development and program timing while serving as the primary supplier interface.
• -Support restraint system integration activities and collaborate with CAE teams to optimize component design.
• -Support crash testing and vehicle homologation activities, ensuring components are available and validated for testing needs.
• -Drive engineering ownership through all phases of development, from concept through production launch and ongoing support.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

5+ years of automotive product development experience, preferably with steering wheels, restraint systems, interior systems, automotive mechatronics, or related components.

Experience supporting at least one product or vehicle program through the complete development lifecycle from concept through production launch.

Strong understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, including:

Mechanics of materials

Material properties and material selection

Kinematics

Failure analysis and root cause investigation

Application of engineering fundamentals to solve technical challenges

Knowledge of metal forming, stamping, and plastic injection molding processes, including associated design rules.

Experience using GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis (ASME or ISO standards).

Basic understanding of electronics and automotive networking.

CAD proficiency with the ability to review packaging, check interfaces, and make engineering modifications as needed.

Demonstrated ability to manage suppliers, drive technical solutions, and ensure timely delivery of engineering deliverables.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.