Body Exterior Design Release Engineer

Job Title: Body Exterior Design Release Engineer

Job Description

As a Body Exterior Design Release Engineer, you will be responsible for the in-house design and release of safety restraint components. You will engage in all stages of part development, ranging from initial CAD drawings to studio surface development, prototyping, testing, feasibility studies, tooling, manufacturing, and launch execution. You will lead the development and execution of product verification plans and ensure final engineering sign-off while adhering to corporate requirements and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Interact with all stages of part development from initial CAD drawings to final product launch.
• Lead development and execution of product verification plans.
• Ensure systems meet corporate requirements and specifications.
• Push and ensure timelines are met for the entire 3-year product development lifecycle.
• Attend supplier manufacturing sites and travel to assembly for launches to assist in initial builds.
• Collaborate with testing and validation engineering to ensure components meet client requirements.
• Be responsible for specific components such as seat structures or vehicle seats and manage the related program.
• Engage in prototype parts examination and testing validation stages.
• Interact with internal teams like Program Management, Costing, and Tooling to represent parts through the product development lifecycle.
• Manage pressures from internal and external groups regarding cost, weight, functionality, manufacturability, and sizing of components.

Essential Skills

• Design and release expertise.
• Experience in new product development and CAD.
• 5-10 years of component-level experience.
• Proficiency in CAD-focused mechanical engineering, specifically Build to Print processes.
• Experience with Catia and lighting, or NX without lighting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with PCB design LEDs, and lighting drivers.
• Bachelor"s degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME).
• Experience in exterior systems design and release is preferred.
• Familiarity with injection molded plastics and sheet metal.

Work Environment

The role is based at a 5000+ engineering center in Dearborn, featuring a three-story building with a quad short cube setup for engineers, tall cubes for supervisors, and offices for managers. The facility offers numerous amenities including a cafeteria, barber shop, sub shop, weekly shoe shine, café, vending areas, and dry cleaning services. The building is well-heated and air-conditioned, with windows for natural light. Core working hours are from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with flexible hours between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Overtime is uncommon, and there is no bonus potential for this role. The dress code is business casual, allowing for khakis and a collared shirt, with the option to dress more formally if desired. Ford is investing $1 billion in infrastructure improvements in Dearborn over the next ten years.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of DEARBORN, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $50.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in DEARBORN,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.