Summary
Develop design improvement concepts, validate and release for current production vehicles. Focus on continuously improving quality, cost, mass and performance. Support manufacturing plants and local suppliers daily with a creative mindset that will improve our products. Serve as a technical design support liaison to R&D and other teams within our organization as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Improve current product component and system design for vehicles through collaboration with suppliers, R&D and other teams. Identify quality issues, perform root cause analysis, develop and implement appropriate countermeasures.

Provide technical design support for current production and new vehicle launch builds as assigned. Confirm design for manufacturability, focus on warranty claim prevention and overall design for quality customer products. Generate issue lists, propose countermeasures, validate improvement recommendations and issue engineering changes as required. Leverage mentoring opportunities from more experienced Design Engineers as needed.

Support component testing on design concepts to assess their feasibility and manufacturability for production implementation. Leverage mentoring from more experienced Design engineers as needed.

Modify and/or create assembly structure utilizing the Bill of Material (BOM) system.

Modify/Create 2D engineering drawings and associated 3D geometry (surface/solid) based on design change (as applicable) for non-supplier sourced systems. Review 2D drawings and 3D data from suppliers to assure that components meet design specifications, make recommendations for changes and obtain appropriate management approvals. Utilize /operate CAE /CAD tools as required with mentoring from more experienced Design engineers as needed.

Benchmark competitor best in class vehicles in order to better understand design methodologies and customer preferences. Summarize investigation results and apply to current product where applicable to improve quality, reduce warranty claims and improve vehicle J.D. Power IQS results. 

Develop strong supplier contact base within commodity area of responsibility. Understand component manufacturing processes and capabilities that influence design improvement direction. Perform periodic supplier part and process audits in order to ensure that design intent is being maintained throughout product lifecycle. Manage suppliers as part of design improvement process by leading cross functionally: Share design information, support testing, review output and enforce timelines.

Respond to special requests from R&D: Investigations, reports on plant or supplier quality trends, Task Force Team participation, new concept evaluation, part testing and other topics as requested.

Create and present technical reports as assigned.

Prepare detailed project plans, develop supporting budget, and prepare reports for management as required

Report weekly on projects to R&D management.

Assist in planning and monitoring portions of department budget as assigned by department Manager.

Attend meetings with automotive technical associations, societies, governmental bodies, regulatory agencies and other organizations.

Perform additional projects as assigned by management.

Perform administrative functions such as purchasing requests, timecard, vacation requests, travel requests, etc.

Travel up to 10% of time domestically and internationally.

Qualifications and Requirements
Basic knowledge of automotive industry engineering and manufacturing

Basic knowledge of functional area components and related parts

Basic knowledge of vehicle safety standards and testing methods/requirements

Basic knowledge of tooling and manufacturing requirements

Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

0 – 5 years of experience in Engineering Design for responsible functional area

Experience working in culturally diverse team environment

Required Skills
Basic skill in CATIA V5 or similar CAD environment

Basic Project Management skills

Proficient data analysis skills

Proficient skill in MS Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook

Proficient time management and organization skills

Proficient self-management skills

Proficient oral and written communication skills

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Office Environment – No specific or unusual physical or environmental demands

Plant/Shop/Laboratory Environment - Exposure to fuel, compressed air/gas, emissions and exhaust fumes; pinching, tripping, electrical, and chemical hazards; bending and stooping required; must be able to lift up to 75 lbs. and work safely with hand power tools. Work requires vehicle reviews indoors, outdoors and potential for weather extremes related to temperature, etc. Safety glasses required.

Field Environment – Exposure to weather, temperature, and altitude extremes. Design improvement investigations will require bending, stooping and lifting up to 75 lbs while reviewing potential concerns in the field. Safety glasses may be required when working on vehicles.

Proving Ground Environment - Exposure to weather and temperature extremes; high winds; exposure to hazardous fuels and oils; exposure to emissions and noise.

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