Design and Release Engineer - Seat Plastics

General Motors•Warren, MI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Design & Release Engineer (DRE) – Seat Plastics is responsible for the design, development, validation, and production release of injection-molded plastic seat components for front and rear seat systems. This role owns components from concept through launch, working closely with cross-functional teams and global Tier-1 seating suppliers to deliver high-quality, production-ready designs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering is required
Typically 4–8+ years of experience in automotive seating and/or interior plastic components
Hands-on experience with injection-molded plastic part design
Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX, CATIA, or similar) and PLM systems
Strong knowledge of GD&T, dimensional stack-ups, and tolerance management
Experience working with Tier-1 suppliers on design, tooling, and launch
Demonstrated problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration skills

Nice To Haves

Seat-system experience across plastics, foam, structure, or mechanisms
OEM or Tier-1 launch experience
Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, and automotive quality systems
Experience with craftsmanship, perceived quality, and squeak & rattle
Exposure to EV platforms
Ability to manage multiple programs in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end design and release of seat plastic components (e.g., trims, shields, closeouts, covers, bezels)
Translate studio surfaces and vehicle packaging into manufacturable B-side designs (attachments, ribs, bosses, draft)
Create, review, and release 3D CAD, 2D drawings, and BOMs in GM PLM systems (NX /Teamcenter)
Lead DFMEA, DVP&R, validation, and PPAP activities with suppliers
Serve as primary technical interface with Tier-1 seating suppliers for feasibility, tooling, validation, and launch
Support virtual and physical builds (prototypes, validation, plant, launch)
Drive issue resolution for fit/finish, appearance, squeak & rattle, and dimensional concerns
Manage engineering changes with cost, mass, and timing impact assessment
Identify and execute VA/VE opportunities without compromising performance or craftsmanship
Ensure integration with seat structures, foam, airbags, wiring, and mechanisms
Represent Seat Plastics in PDT meetings and design reviews