Design Systems Application Engineer

Chief Engineering, Product Release Center, Manufacturing, Suppliers, Validation organizations, Vehicle engineering teams. Work closely with PRC, DVC, suppliers, purchasing, and value optimization teams to identify cost-saving opportunities.

Our Client, an Automotive company, is looking for a Design Systems Application Engineer for their Auburn Hills, MI location.
 
Responsibilities:

• Interface definition and control
• Packaging validation
• Functional clearance verification
• Tolerance stack-up assessment
• Manufacturing compatibility reviews
• Assembly feasibility assessments
• Serviceability evaluations
• Design release recommendations
• Duty cycle definition and verification
• Damage and failure mode analysis
• Lead vehicle packaging reviews and identify interface conflicts early in the development process.
• Evaluate impacts of component movement, geometry changes, and architecture decisions on surrounding vehicle systems.
• Drive technical resolution of integration, packaging, and interface concerns across multiple organizations.
• Virtual Development & Systems Validation
• Schedule and lead cross-functional design reviews across PRC and supporting engineering organizations.
• Coordinate virtual analysis activities and CAE reviews.
• Ensure Virtual DVP and Engineering Scorecards are completed prior to prototype hardware releases.
• Lead FC/CAD integration activities and digital mockup reviews.
• Coordinate digital validation of component and subsystem interfaces.
• Support engineering release readiness through design assessments and model reviews.
• Develop and maintain system-level requirements within virtual development environments.
• Review system validation status with the Development Validation Center and provide periodic readiness assessments to Chief Engineering leadership.
• Ensure validation plans, design verification activities, and technical signoffs support robust product development.
• Technical Risk Management & Quality Leadership:
• Identify system architecture, integration, packaging, structural, manufacturing, and validation risks.
• Lead root cause investigations and technical problem-solving activities.
• Establish mitigation plans and drive technical closure of issues.
• Coordinate Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Design Review Based on Failure Mode (DRBFM) activities.
• Ensure robust design controls and development actions are established and maintained.
• Lead cross-functional quality and issue-resolution task forces.
• Manage GIMS investigations and technical issue tracking.
• Coordinate DRBTR reviews and maintain accountability for open actions and follow-up items.
• Recommend escalation paths and resource requirements to ensure program success.
• Product Development, Change Management & Governance:
• Review and approve engineering change notices and design modifications.
• Ensure lessons learned, engineering checklists, technical standards, and engineering best practices are updated and incorporated into future designs.
• Act as the Chief Engineer's representative for program lessons learned activities.
• Collaborate with Technical Specialists and Centers of Excellence to continuously improve technical standards and design practices.
• Manage engineering complexity and assembly part number strategies.
• Maintain BOM structures and complexity charts for axle, driveline, transfer case, and gear reducer systems.
• Coordinate engineering release readiness and design freeze activities.
• Cost Optimization & Program Support:
• Lead Technical Cost Reduction (TCR) and Value Optimization initiatives.
• Work closely with PRC, DVC, suppliers, purchasing, and value optimization teams to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Support Chief Engineering leadership with:
• Resource planning
• Manpower forecasting
• Engineering budgets
• ER&D / ED&D cost rollups
• New program planning
• Support business case development and program execution strategies.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Supplier Management
• Serve as the primary systems engineering interface between:
• Chief Engineering, Product Release Center, Manufacturing, Suppliers, Validation organizations, Vehicle engineering teams
• Facilitate technical consensus and decision-making across organizations.
• Challenge design assumptions where necessary to ensure optimal technical outcomes.
• Lead supplier technical reviews and integration discussions.
• Drive accountability, execution, and alignment across all stakeholders.
• Work on special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.

 
Requirements:

• Required Technical Expertise
• Vehicle Systems
• Beam axle systems
• Independent axle systems
• Driveline systems
• Transfer cases
• Prop shafts
• Chassis systems
• Suspension systems
• Steering systems
• Brake systems
• Vehicle dynamics fundamentals
• 4WD/AWD systems
• Product Development Tools & Processes:
• CAD and Digital Mockup Reviews
• FC/CAD Integration
• Virtual Development Processes
• Engineering Change Management
• BOM Management
• Interface Control Documentation
• Design Freeze Processes
• Validation Planning and Execution
• nCode Analysis
• Duty Cycle Development
• Data Acquisition and Synthesis
• Program Launch Readiness
• GIMS and Quality Management Processes
• Critical Competencies:
• Technical Leadership
• System-level thinking
• Architecture development and decision making
• Complex problem solving
• Cross-functional integration leadership
• Technical trade-off analysis
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Influence & Communication:
• Ability to challenge technical assumptions constructively
• Facilitate engineering consensus
• Lead technical reviews and decision forums
• Translate vehicle-level requirements into actionable engineering deliverables
• Drive supplier and stakeholder alignment
• Execution & Accountability:
• Strong ownership mindset
• High attention to technical detail
• Ability to manage multiple complex technical issues simultaneously
• Proactive issue identification and escalation
• Commitment to program timing, deliverables, and quality objectives
• Ability to lead teams through ambiguity and drive closure of critical actions

 
Why Should You Apply?

• Health Benefits
• Referral Program
• Excellent growth and advancement opportunities