Senior Design Engineer

Our client, a EV Manufacturer company, is looking for a Senior Design Engineer for their Southfield, MI location.

Responsibilities:

• Client is an innovative and dynamic player in the automotive industry, specializing in cutting-edge technologies and designs for next-generation vehicles.
• As a fast-growing startup, we are dedicated to revolutionizing the automotive landscape with our forward-thinking approach and commitment to excellence.
• Be a significant contributor to a world-class Interior Components and Systems engineering team dedicated to creating industry-leading products with groundbreaking luxury, craftsmanship, performance, safety, ergonomics, and functionality.
• We work collaboratively with design studio, commercial, marketing and vehicle engineering, placing priority on the greater benefit of the customer experience above any one individual system.
• As a Mechanical Engineer focused on automotive accessories, you will own the technical development of new products from early concept through production release.
• Working closely with the client Design Studio, you will translate aesthetic and experiential intent into robust, manufacturable mechanical solutions - balancing form, packaging, and vehicle integration.
• You will partner with Commercial teams on cost, tooling, supply-chain feasibility, and design-for-manufacturing, while collaborating with suppliers and vehicle testing to ensure the final product delivers the performance, durability and emotional appeal customers and brand storytelling demand. This role sits at the intersection of rigorous engineering analysis, hands-on prototyping, and creative problem solving, giving you the opportunity to work on a variety of systems, materials, and manufacturing methods across the car. See your work on the road, or in customer photos and social media, knowing you helped someone make their vehicle uniquely theirs.
• Design and develop mechanical components and systems for automotive accessories (exterior, interior, performance, lifestyle, etc.) from concept through production release.
• Create fun and useful products for interior systems focusing on functionality, craftsmanship, safety, reliability, quality, while meeting program timing, mass, and cost efficiency objectives.
• Develop and maintain engineering deliverables including technical requirements, CAD models and drawings, Design Verification Plans (DVP&R), DFMEAs, validation plans, engineering releases, and issue-management documentation.
• Collaborate closely with Design, Vehicle Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, Program Management, Marketing, and other cross-functional stakeholders to drive alignment and achieve program milestones.
• Lead technical engagement with suppliers, including sourcing support, design reviews, feasibility assessments, quote evaluations, cost optimization, technical negotiations, tooling design, tuning plans, and delivery of engineering milestones.
• Utilize CAD and engineering analysis tools to develop robust, manufacturable designs that meet engineering specifications, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Provide technical leadership during prototype, validation, and production builds, proactively resolving design, quality, manufacturing, and supplier-related issues to ensure successful program execution.
• Drive continuous improvement by developing innovative tools, processes, and methodologies that improve product quality, engineering efficiency, and development effectiveness.
• Mentor and support junior engineers through technical guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharing while helping establish engineering best practices.
• Demonstrate end-to-end ownership and accountability for assigned systems and projects, identifying risks early, driving issue resolution, and delivering successful outcomes with urgency and leadership.
• Experiment with new designs, materials, and mechanisms to create accessories that feel premium, delight customers, and survive real-world abuse.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in the design, development, validation, release, and launch of automotive Interior Components and Systems, including one or more of the following: soft trim, hard trim, instrument panels, door trims, center consoles, headliners, pillars, package trays, decorative trim, or related assemblies.
• Proven experience leading products through the complete development lifecycle, from concept creation and packaging through engineering release, validation, industrialization, and production launch.
• Strong knowledge of automotive interior systems, materials, manufacturing processes, industry benchmarks, emerging technologies, customer quality expectations, and supplier capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing engineering deliverables including product specifications, Design Verification Plans and Reports (DVP&R), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), validation plans, engineering releases, and issue-management activities.
• Proficiency with CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools for 3D modeling, packaging studies, concept development, drafting, design reviews, and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) evaluations.
• Proven vehicle launch experience, including prototype builds, validation activities, production readiness reviews, issue resolution, and support through Start of Production (SOP).
• Experience collaborating across Design, Vehicle Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Program Management, and supplier organizations to deliver complex automotive systems.
• Demonstrated supplier management experience including feasibility reviews, sourcing support, technical negotiations, quote evaluation, cost optimization, development tracking, and launch readiness activities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause investigation skills, with the ability to balance technical, manufacturing, quality, cost, mass, and timing requirements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams, build alignment, and drive execution in a fast-paced development environment.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, ownership, and accountability, including mentoring engineers, leading technical reviews, managing competing priorities, and delivering successful program outcomes.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to thrive in a highly collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience developing premium or luxury automotive interior systems.
• Experience launching multiple vehicle programs from concept through production.
• Experience with APQP, GD&T, tolerance stack analysis, FMEA facilitation, and automotive quality processes.
• Working knowledge of craftsmanship, fit-and-finish, durability, NVH, ergonomics, safety, and customer-perceived quality requirements for interior systems.
• Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical development activities across global and cross-functional teams.
• A love for elegant engineering.
• Multiple vehicle launches from concept through production
• Premium or luxury automotive experience
• Strong supplier management experience
• APQP, GD&T, DFMEA, and tolerance stack-up expertise
• Proven cross-functional leadership experience
• Strong CATIA proficiency

Why Should You Apply?

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