Restraints Engineer

Restraints Engineer (Trim & Lighting)

Location: Foster City, CA 94404 (Onsite)
Employment Type: Contract (3 6 Months)
Pay Rate: $80.60/hour (W2 Only)
Industry: Automotive Technology / Autonomous Mobility
Work Schedule: 8:00 AM 6:00 PM PST | 4 Days Onsite

Note: No C2C (Corp-to-Corp) or 1099. No visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the assignment.

Job Overview

We're looking for an experienced Restraints Engineer (Trim & Lighting) to support the development of next-generation vehicles within the automotive and autonomous mobility industry.

In this role, you'll take technical ownership of automotive restraint systems and occupant protection components, supporting the entire development lifecycle from requirements definition and supplier selection to design validation and production release. You'll also help investigate and resolve existing vehicle and fleet-related engineering issues.

You'll work closely with cross-functional engineering teams, suppliers, quality, manufacturing, and program management to ensure restraint systems meet safety, performance, quality, cost, and production requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity for an automotive engineering professional with hands-on experience in restraint systems, passive safety, and occupant protection who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and driving engineering projects forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage restraint system requirements and System/Subsystem Technical Specifications (SSTS), ensuring requirements are properly communicated to component teams and suppliers.
• Lead restraint component development from initial concept through design validation and production release.
• Support Requests for Quotation (RFQs), evaluate supplier technical proposals, and contribute to supplier selection decisions.
• Investigate and resolve restraint system design, manufacturing, and fleet-related issues using structured root-cause analysis methods such as 8D and Fishbone diagrams.
• Plan, coordinate, execute, and approve component-level and system-level restraint testing as part of overall occupant protection validation.
• Apply Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools to support restraint system design decisions and performance validation.
• Lead and participate in design reviews, DFMEA activities, validation exercises, and manufacturing mock-builds to improve product performance, quality, cost, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams across engineering, quality, procurement, manufacturing, and service to resolve technical issues and maintain project timelines.
• Utilize 3DX to investigate component packaging, integration, and part relationship issues.
• Manage engineering changes, technical documentation, and requirements using tools such as Jira, Confluence, Polarion, and PLM systems.
• Communicate engineering progress, technical challenges, and potential program risks to technical program management teams.
• Travel as needed to support vehicle builds, supplier visits, and engineering testing activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in automotive restraint systems, passive safety, or occupant protection component design and release.
• Experience developing and managing system-level and component-level requirements, including technical specifications such as SSTS.
• Background supporting RFQ processes, supplier evaluations, and sourcing activities for automotive safety components.
• Hands-on experience planning, conducting, or approving restraint component and system-level testing.
• Working knowledge of automotive restraint regulations, homologation, and certification requirements, including FMVSS and NCAP.
• Experience applying CAE tools in automotive restraint system development and performance validation.
• Understanding of DFMEA and PFMEA methodologies for passive safety components.
• Strong knowledge of structured root-cause analysis techniques, including 8D and Fishbone analysis.
• Experience with engineering and project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, Polarion, PLM/ALM systems, Gantt charts, or ERP platforms.
• Familiarity with 3DX for component packaging and part relationship investigations.
• Strong technical communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple suppliers and engineering stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel as needed for vehicle builds, supplier visits, and testing activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, or next-generation automotive platforms.
• Familiarity with emerging occupant protection technologies and the latest developments in automotive restraint systems.
• Experience using AI-assisted tools to support engineering workflows, technical documentation, or data analysis.