Design Release Engineer - Instrument Panel Structure
Core
Develop instrument panel (IP) structures supporting displays, electronics, and customer-facing features for vehicles.
Role type
Senior IC mechanical/automotive design release engineer
Builds
Vehicle interior structures (steel, magnesium, aluminum)
Domain
Automotive manufacturing
Required skills
IP structure design, DFMEA/DRBFM/PFMEA, CAE/FEA, CAD (NX), manufacturing process evaluation, project management, cost/mass optimization
Preferred skills
Master's in Engineering, 10-15 years automotive experience, DfSS Black Belt, concept math creation
Technologies
NX, VisMockup, Microsoft Workspace, Google Workspace
Responsibilities
Lead design, development, analysis, integration, validation, and launch of IP structure subsystems; Develop concepts and perform engineering evaluations using DFMEA, DRBFM, ICDs, PFMEA, CAE, and safety performance analysis; Package components and manage CAD development; Evaluate manufacturing processes including welded steel stampings, magnesium die castings, and hybrid plastic/metal overmolding; Collaborate with Thermal, Electrical, Body, Chassis, Creative Design, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers, and other partner organizations; Lead Product Development Team activities, track and resolve issues, and communicate progress, risks, decisions, and impacts; Balance cost, part count, mass, complexity, timing, content, and customer-driven requirements while supporting configuration work and continuous improvement; Support Statement of Requirements development and lead Statements of Work; partner with CAE on FEA and robust design decisions; Apply benchmarking to guide competitive design direction, BOM strategies, features, and content; Lead change management using clear problem statements, alternatives, quantified impacts, decisions, and approvals; Maintain disciplined documentation, risk assessments, lessons learned, and engineering read-across; Lead plant builds, supplier trials, DV/PV events, craftsmanship audits, and launch activities with an on-time, quality-focused mindset; Contribute to enterprise initiatives involving CAE-driven design, virtual execution, automation, accelerated development, supply chain improvement, and global standards; Travel as needed during development, integration, and launch activities.