Design and Release Engineer - Body Interior (Door Trim)

Ford • Dearborn, MI

17h • $65,100 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Design and Release (D&R) Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, release, and implementation of Body Interior components and systems for assigned vehicle programs, with a focus on door trim. The engineer leads development of master sections and ensures designs support manufacturing efficiency, cost optimization, quality, craftsmanship, ergonomics, serviceability, and overall vehicle performance. The role ensures parts comply with corporate and legal requirements, engineering requirements and specifications, design rules, and manufacturing, assembly, and service requirements. It also includes incorporating parts at the assembly plant and resolving design, fit-and-finish, and assembly issues during launch and production.

The position works across product development, studios, suppliers, purchasing, manufacturing, and assembly plants to deliver program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets. Responsibilities span design reviews and CAD/CAE coordination, sourcing and change control, BOM and part release management, validation testing, supplier readiness and PPAP, and issue resolution throughout the product lifecycle.

This is a hybrid position requiring onsite work four or more days per week. The position is offered at salary grades 5 through 8, with stated salary ranges from $65,100 to $166,200 depending on grade and candidate qualifications. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a similar discipline.
• At least 3 years of experience with body interior systems and components.
• At least 1 year of CAD experience.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Engineering or a similar discipline.
• Strong 3D CAD knowledge, including file opening, visualization, measurements, and model transfer, and experience with CAE studies.
• Basic knowledge of material properties.
• Basic knowledge of production processes.
• Understanding of craftsmanship and ergonomics principles.
• Experience with Studio Development processes and appearance feasibility.
• Effective project management skills and cross-functional communication.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with others.
• Knowledge of and perspective on the automotive industry environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• English proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Meet program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets, including GPDS program milestone deliverables.
• Apply the Global Product Development System (GPDS) process.
• Establish and maintain program-specific robustness engineering disciplines, including quality history, P-Diagram, DFMEA, SCCAF, boundary diagram, campaign prevention, and reliability and robustness checklists.
• Develop, lead, and maintain the program-specific Engineering Statement of Work (ESOW); participate in sourcing and re-sourcing, lead To4 and To5 activities and cost reviews, and prepare CPA packages for timely handoff to Purchasing.
• Support Studio Development at all stages and identify high-risk studio surface fit-and-finish issues and appearance feasibility concerns.
• Conduct package studies and lead development of master sections, accounting for manufacturing, cost, timing, safety, quality, assembly, craftsmanship, and ergonomics.
• Lead CAE studies, including attachment and robustness studies, and manage CAD model transfers to and from suppliers.
• Complete engineering design by FDJ and studio surface transfers by UPV2.
• Use Six Sigma and 8D methods to resolve issues, including writing deviations and non-conformance agreements.
• Lead component design reviews and follow the Technical Design Review (TDR) process.
• Release parts in FEDEBOM and WERS throughout the product lifecycle, maintaining the master program BOM and key part attribute data.
• Support the Change Control Meeting, lead the program change-control interface, prepare change-request 2-pagers, and obtain required information from suppliers.
• Audit and update the BOM for prototype builds and maintain it after Job 1, ensuring correct part levels and usages, CAD-to-BOM alignment, cost assignment, and VP BOM validation.
• Identify required validation, durability, and functional tests; establish and maintain the program-specific DVP, achieve first-pass DV testing by PEC, and complete DVP&R sign-off with test reports uploaded by FEC.
• Resolve DPA1 through DPA5 and support or lead the PMT process, change-management meetings, open-issues lists, and reporting of design changes, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead parts implementation and sign-off at the assembly plant, assist with quality issues at program milestones, and resolve design, fit-and-finish, and assembly issues during launch and production.
• Review and act on Product Design Letters (PDLs) when affected.
• Support VQR, VRTs, and PVT as required.
• Work jointly with Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) to provide suppliers technical assistance through the Supplier Engagement Process and PPAP completion.
• Support or lead component PPAP activities and Supplier Readiness Reviews.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including time between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level