Design and Release Engineer (DRE) Halfshaft & Driveshaft Product Release Center

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

The Design and Release Engineer owns assigned driveshaft and/or halfshaft components and is responsible for their complete design, analysis, release, testing, and delivery against technical requirements. The role follows technical infrastructure, product development processes, and STLA best practices. Assignments may involve complex components or new technology. The engineer develops subject matter expertise in assigned components or assemblies, may coach entry-level engineers, and serves as the single-point product engineering leadership contact for suppliers. The role manages supplier engineering activities and deliverables, including test plans and execution, and prepares engineering work plans aligned with program timing and milestones. The engineer delivers component and subsystem requirements, source-package documentation, design reviews, analyses, simulations, DFMEAs, DVP&Rs, tools, test procedures, acceptance criteria, engineering models, drawings, and bills of material. The role supports design detailing and CAE activities, change management, prototype and pilot-build hardware delivery, failure resolution, manufacturing issues, cost reduction, warranty solutions, and supplier audits. It collaborates with transmission and driveline subject matter experts and other stakeholders, and reports status to management and the CE organization. Some travel to supplier and corporate engine, transmission, or vehicle assembly plants is required, including locations in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field.
At least 5 years of engineering experience in the automotive industry, product engineering design, validation, or engineering project development with an OEM and/or Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier.
Halfshaft or propshaft experience.
Experience or understanding in transmission, driveline and axles, or a related area.
Thorough understanding of vehicle functions and general vehicle architecture.
Understanding of typical automotive manufacturing and quality processes.
Advanced English-language skills (90%); ability to read and write in English.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Ability to lead and manage suppliers.
Some travel to supplier and corporate engine, transmission, or vehicle assembly plants is required.
Experience with assembly and computer-aided design tools, such as NX or CATIA.
Experience with Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA).
Experience with Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R).
Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering.
Master’s degree in Engineering Leadership.
Green or Black Belt in Shainin or DFSS.
Italian or French language skills.
Leadership, organization, planning, decision-making, and strategic-thinking skills.
Ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and uncertainty and effect lasting change through effective communication and experience.
Proactive, self-driven, learning-oriented, and teamwork-oriented approach.
Ability to work efficiently under pressure and strong communication skills.
Training in problem-solving techniques.

Responsibilities

Own assigned driveshaft and/or halfshaft components and execute product design, analysis, release, testing, and delivery against technical requirements.
Develop subject matter expertise for assigned components or assemblies and coach entry-level engineers as required.
Serve as the single-point product engineering leadership contact for suppliers; manage and track supplier engineering activities and deliverables, including test plans and test execution.
Prepare product engineering work plans aligned with program and project timing and milestones.
Develop technical requirements for driveline and axle components and subsystems, including purchased assemblies.
Complete technical source-package documentation to support supplier quotations and evaluate designs against engineering best practices through supplier design reviews.
Capture lessons learned and execute calculations, analyses, and simulations in alignment with test plans and requirements.
Develop DFMEAs and evaluate designs for failure-mode robustness.
Develop and execute component and subsystem DVP&R plans, including DRBTR, and support system DVP&Rs.
Develop tools, test procedures, and acceptance criteria for driveline and axle components, subassemblies, and purchased assemblies.
Collaborate on design detailing and CAE activities; define and document transfer functions and physics-based analysis for actuation subsystems and components.
Deliver EBOMs, models, and drawings for components, subassemblies, and purchased assemblies.
Generate engineering documentation for change management, including DRBFM.
Deliver parts and hardware to pilot builds, including requisitions for prototypes and ED&D.
Collaborate with transmission and driveline systems experts and other stakeholders to address failures using appropriate tools and processes.
Prepare status reports and presentations for management and the CE organization.
Support manufacturing on production-related issues.
Generate cost-reduction ideas and develop and execute corresponding design and validation plans.
Participate in warranty and cost-reduction meetings and develop solutions for warranty issues.
Conduct root-cause analysis of driveline and axle failures and identify their causes.
Conduct Layered Process Audits at supplier plants for assigned components.
Travel to supplier and corporate engine, transmission, or vehicle assembly plants as required.