Design Engineer

Design Engineer

Location: Saline, Michigan

Position Type: Contract Opportunity

Pay Rate: $48.00–$50.00 per hour

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits begin on Day 1

Additional Benefits: Paid time off and paid holidays

Position Overview

• Reliance One, Inc. is hiring an experienced Design Engineer for one of our established automotive clients in Saline, Michigan.
• The Design Engineer will support the development of cockpit electronics and electrical systems for future vehicle programs. This position will lead electronic components and systems from initial concept through Start of Production, coordinating requirements, specifications, schedules, testing, quality, and issue resolution across domestic and international engineering teams.
• The ideal candidate has experience developing large-scale electronic systems, managing complex projects, working with automotive communication protocols, and collaborating with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Product and System Development

• Plan the structure of automotive parts and systems through target setting, packaging, electrical interface definition, parameter setting, and styling-feasibility analysis.
• Lead the development of cockpit electronics and related electrical systems for future vehicle programs.
• Create performance, functional, and technical specifications for cockpit electronic systems.
• Develop electronic components through concurrent minor and major vehicle changes.
• Identify and develop products through required project milestones in collaboration with related engineering groups.
• Maintain accurate parts lists, wire specifications, component specifications, and other required development documentation.
• Ensure development work follows established processes, meets deadlines, and produces accurate, high-quality deliverables.

Project Management

• Create and maintain component-development schedules through Start of Production.
• Coordinate and negotiate schedules with internal engineering teams and suppliers.
• Manage mid- and large-scale electronic system development projects from concept through production.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation plans to maintain performance, cost, weight, quality, timing, and user-experience targets.
• Develop proposals and recovery recommendations when project targets are at risk.
• Track project health and clearly communicate status, risks, milestones, and required actions.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve project milestones and deliver high-quality results on schedule.

Testing and Issue Resolution

• Work with local engineering teams, customers, suppliers, and international development partners to resolve product issues and software bugs.
• Plan and conduct joint testing of cockpit electronics and electrical systems.
• Participate in product evaluation, manufacturing, and launch activities at domestic and international locations.
• Support electronic system validation and manufacturing-readiness activities.
• Apply development-quality tools such as DFMEA, DRBFM, and FTA.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective-action activities related to system performance and quality.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Benchmark competitor vehicles, consumer electronics, and emerging technologies.
• Translate benchmarking and customer insights into next-generation component and system proposals.
• Develop innovative solutions that improve user experience, cost, weight, performance, and product quality.
• Improve team processes, project-health visualization, documentation, and overall output quality.
• Expand technical knowledge of automotive electronics, competitors, customers, and developing technologies.
• Support the continued growth of local electrical-system development capabilities.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Coordinate regularly with domestic and international engineering teams.
• Facilitate communication between local development engineers and international electronics-development teams.
• Collaborate with Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers, and other project stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineers involved in electrical-system development.
• Promote effective communication, accountability, and knowledge sharing across the project team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• More than six years of experience leading or supporting the development of mid-size or large-scale electronic systems from concept through production.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• One to two years of experience with basic automotive electrical architecture.
• Experience with vehicle ECU communication protocols, including CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, CXPI, or similar communication technologies.
• Fundamental knowledge of electrical circuitry.
• Experience with development-quality tools, including DFMEA, DRBFM, and FTA.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong time-management and task-prioritization skills.
• Open-minded approach with a willingness to learn new systems, technologies, and processes.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to support evaluation, manufacturing, testing, and project activities.

Preferred Experience

• Cockpit electronics or automotive infotainment system development.
• Automotive electrical component and ECU development.
• Experience developing functional and performance specifications.
• Experience coordinating engineering activities with international teams.
• Experience supporting vehicle testing, manufacturing, and production launches.
• Previous experience mentoring junior engineers.

Apply today to be considered for this Design Engineer opportunity in Saline, Michigan.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Statement

Reliance One, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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