Senior Design Release Engineer

The engineer works closely with Program Management, CATIA, CAE, PLM, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, suppliers, and OEM customers to deliver robust solutions that meet performance, cost, timing, regulatory, manufacturability, serviceability, weight, and quality requirements. Lead development of BODY EXTERIOR and vehicle integration systems, including body structures, Body Exterior interfaces, mounting systems, sensor hardware, thermal integration components, packaging systems, and exterior interfaces.

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What we offer:

At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.

Group Summary:

As an engineering and manufacturing partner, Magna's Complete Vehicle group helps traditional OEMs and new entrants to bring their automotive visions to life. At Magna, you will work in an innovative, international and dynamic team, always pursuing the goal of delivering high-quality products. We work in a diverse environment with global development opportunities. Together with our employees we constantly strive to create a better world of mobility.

Job Responsibilities:

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Senior Design & Release Engineer leads the design, development, validation, release, and launch support of Body in White structures and vehicle integration components for complete vehicle and autonomous mobility platforms. The position owns assigned systems from concept and architecture development through prototype builds, production release, validation, and launch readiness.

This role combines deep BODY EXTERIOR engineering knowledge with disciplined component ownership. The engineer works closely with Program Management, CATIA, CAE, PLM, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, suppliers, and OEM customers to deliver robust solutions that meet performance, cost, timing, regulatory, manufacturability, serviceability, weight, and quality requirements.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership & Product Development

• Lead development of BODY EXTERIOR and vehicle integration systems, including body structures, Body Exterior interfaces, mounting systems, sensor hardware, thermal integration components, packaging systems, and exterior interfaces.
• Develop and evaluate engineering concepts using structured problem solving, set-based engineering, and DFM/DFA principles.
• Create, review, and release CATIA models, drawings, specifications, tolerance analyses, and technical documentation.
• Ensure designs meet performance, durability, quality, manufacturability, serviceability, environmental, and production requirements.
• Lead benchmarking, advanced development, and continuous improvement activities.
• Provide technical leadership and support key engineering decisions across cross-functional teams.

Design Release & Configuration Management

• Own component and assembly release activities within PLM systems and maintain configuration integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
• Manage BOMs, engineering changes (ECR/ECN), release documentation, and product configurations.
• Release CATIA, CAE, drawings, specifications, and production data packages to approved systems.
• Lead release readiness reviews and communicate design status, risks, open issues, and recovery plans.

Project Planning, Targets & Reporting

• Support achievement of program targets for cost, timing, quality, weight, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to resource planning, budgets, milestones, work packages, and program reporting.
• Coordinate external engineering resources and third-party deliverables.
• Identify and escalate technical, cost, resource, or timing risks with recommended corrective actions.

Supplier & Manufacturing Collaboration

• Partner with suppliers on technical reviews, DFM/DFA assessments, material selection, tooling concepts, design optimization, and production readiness.
• Collaborate with Advanced Manufacturing and plant teams to ensure production feasibility and resolve build concerns.
• Support manufacturing process reviews, APQP, PPAP, supplier issue resolution, and corrective action activities.
• Work with vehicle integration and design teams to ensure packaging, appearance, and product intent requirements are met.

Validation, Quality & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain DVP&R documentation and validation strategies for assigned systems.
• Coordinate component, subsystem, and vehicle testing activities and resolve issues through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Lead or support DFMEA development, risk reduction, lessons learned, and design improvement efforts.
• Prepare and approve validation reports, deviation documentation, and issue-B