Design Release Engineer - Front Covers, Valve Covers, Oil Pans

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

34d

About The Position

The Candidate will lead the design of Front Covers, Valve Covers, and Oil Pans ensuring alignment with engine and vehicle requirements. They will develop and refine concepts for these components based on packaging, performance, and system constraints. The role involves supporting CAD modeling, CAE analysis, and other design validation methods, including VSA (Variable Simulation Assembly), to ensure compliance with engineering standards. Collaboration with cross-functional engineering groups (engine, vehicle, systems, packaging) is crucial for integrating Covers and Pans into the engine and overall vehicle architecture. As a DRE, the candidate will partner with the Covers and Pans technical expert lead to uphold engineering best practices throughout component development and maintain sourcing documentation, including Statement of Requirement templates, Part Inspection Standards, and Technical Specification Lists.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working with design and manufacturing within the automotive industry.
Strong understanding of component-level design and manufacturing processes, including forming, assembly, and integration
Understanding of product development documentation such as DFMEA and DVP&R.
Understanding of material functional characteristics, rigidity, compliance, strength, GD&T, CAE analysis, and VSA
Understanding and knowledge in selecting materials and manufacturing methods for engine front covers, valve covers, or oil pans
Ability to define and author system and component‑level requirements.
Strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills (oral and written)
Demonstrated project management experience
Proven understanding of Design Release Engineer responsibilities

Nice To Haves

Previous design and release experience working with cast covers and plastic covers is desired, but not a requirement
Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering
8 or more years of relevant experience working with design and manufacturing of engine front covers, valve covers, and oil pans
Experience in casting and plastic component design
Hands-on experience developing and executing validation plans
Key traits for success: action-oriented, comfortable with ambiguity, customer-focused, strong problem-solving skills
Proficiency with 3D CAD tools, preferably Siemens NX, Team Center

Responsibilities

Manage design and release activities from early concept through production, ensuring timely completion of B‑Sample, C‑Sample, X0, X1, X2, and X3 milestones.
Own the Bill of Materials (BOM) and Engineering Change Notices (CNs) for assigned system components.
Ensure that all parts meet cost, quality, and timing targets; work closely with purchasing to support on‑time sourcing.
Lead the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for Oil Pans, Front Covers, and Valve Covers, ensuring compliance with regulatory and customer specifications.
Collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, and quality teams to ensure successful release, handling, assembly, and implementation of designs.
Participate in weekly or bi-weekly meetings with the global Technical Expert community.
Provide technical leadership during development and production to resolve design issues, material challenges, and manufacturing process concerns.
Lead and support APQP activities with Supplier Quality Engineering.
Lead DFMEA activities and other risk assessment processes to ensure design robustness and mitigate potential issues.
Support the development of test strategies, including bench-level and vehicle-level system testing.
Work closely with suppliers to ensure design feasibility, cost effectiveness, and manufacturability of assigned components.
Collaborate with validation teams to define and execute testing plans that meet functional and performance requirements.
Partner with vehicle integration teams to ensure proper fit, safety, and system compatibility within vehicle platforms.
Support development and maintenance of engineering best practices in collaboration with the technical expert lead.
Create and maintain engineering documentation—including design specifications, drawings, DVP&Rs, and validation reports.
Ensure all technical documentation aligns with program timelines and PPAP requirements.
Provide clear status updates, timing reports, and risk assessments to senior leadership and stakeholders.