Design Systems Engineer - HD Truck Driveline, Axles and 4WD systems

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

The Senior Design Systems Engineer serves as the technical integrator and systems owner for axle, driveline, transfer case, gear reducer, and 4WD systems throughout product development. The role interfaces with Chief Engineering, Product Release Center (PRC), Development Validation Center (DVC), manufacturing, suppliers, and component engineering teams to ensure vehicle, subsystem, software, manufacturing, and supplier interfaces work together as an optimized system. The position drives system architecture, interface management, vehicle integration, manufacturability, technical risk mitigation, validation planning, change management, prototype build readiness, quality initiatives, and cost optimization from concept through production launch and continuous improvement. It leads cross-functional technical reviews, requirements and interface definition, packaging and virtual development activities, risk and quality investigations, engineering change and release processes, cost reduction initiatives, supplier reviews, and program support. The role also supports resource planning, engineering budgets, program planning, and business case development for Chief Engineering leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related degree field.
At least 8 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years of experience in Automotive Engineering and/or Geared Systems.
Expertise in beam and independent axle systems, driveline systems, transfer cases, prop shafts, chassis, suspension, steering, brake systems, vehicle dynamics fundamentals, and 4WD/AWD systems.
Experience or knowledge with CAD and digital mockup reviews, FC/CAD integration, virtual development processes, engineering change management, BOM management, interface control documentation, design freeze processes, validation planning and execution, nCode analysis, duty cycle development, data acquisition and synthesis, program launch readiness, GIMS, and quality management processes.
System-level thinking, architecture development and decision-making, complex problem solving, cross-functional integration leadership, technical trade-off analysis, and risk identification and mitigation.
Ability to constructively challenge technical assumptions, facilitate engineering consensus, lead technical reviews and decision forums, translate vehicle-level requirements into actionable engineering deliverables, and align suppliers and stakeholders.
Strong ownership mindset, attention to technical detail, ability to manage multiple complex technical issues, proactive issue identification and escalation, commitment to program timing, deliverables, and quality objectives, and ability to lead teams through ambiguity and drive closure of critical actions.

Nice To Haves

MSME or equivalent engineering degree.
At least 10 years of experience in Transmission and/or Driveline Engineering.
Knowledge of Stellantis engineering systems.

Responsibilities

Own system-level definition, integration, and balancing of front and rear axle systems, drivelines and prop shafts, transfer cases, gear reducers, 4WD functional software, and vehicle interfaces and supporting subsystems.
Ensure technical alignment across axles, suspension, steering, brake, frame and chassis systems, powertrain interfaces, calibration teams, manufacturing organizations, suppliers, and validation organizations.
Translate vehicle-level requirements into subsystem- and component-level design requirements and maintain consistent engineering assumptions, requirements, interface definitions, and design intent.
Lead system integration reviews and technical assessments for vehicle performance, durability, manufacturability, NVH, serviceability, and quality.
Own critical system interfaces, including transmission-to-driveline, axle-to-frame, driveshaft and transfer case, suspension attachment, chassis, vehicle hardpoints, and surrounding systems.
Define and control interfaces; validate packaging and functional clearances; assess tolerance stack-ups, manufacturing compatibility, assembly feasibility, serviceability, design release recommendations, duty cycles, and damage and failure modes.
Lead vehicle packaging reviews, identify interface conflicts, evaluate the impacts of component movement and geometry or architecture changes, and resolve integration and packaging concerns across organizations.
Schedule and lead cross-functional design reviews across PRC and supporting engineering organizations; coordinate virtual analysis and CAE reviews.
Ensure Virtual DVP and Engineering Scorecards are completed before prototype hardware releases; lead FC/CAD integration and digital mockup reviews; coordinate digital validation of component and subsystem interfaces.
Support engineering release readiness through design assessments and model reviews; develop and maintain system-level requirements in virtual development environments.
Review validation status with DVC and provide periodic readiness assessments to Chief Engineering leadership; ensure validation plans, design verification activities, and technical signoffs support robust product development.
Identify architecture, integration, packaging, structural, manufacturing, and validation risks; lead root cause investigations and technical problem solving; establish mitigation plans and drive issue closure.
Coordinate DFMEA and DRBFM activities, maintain robust design controls and development actions, lead cross-functional quality and issue-resolution task forces, manage GIMS investigations and issue tracking, and coordinate DRBTR reviews and action follow-up.
Recommend escalation paths and resource requirements to support program success.
Review and approve engineering change notices and design modifications; incorporate lessons learned, checklists, standards, and best practices into future designs.
Represent the Chief Engineer in program lessons-learned activities and collaborate with Technical Specialists and Centers of Excellence to improve standards and design practices.
Manage engineering complexity and assembly part-number strategies; maintain BOM structures and complexity charts for axle, driveline, transfer case, and gear reducer systems; coordinate engineering release readiness and design freeze activities.
Lead Technical Cost Reduction and Value Optimization initiatives with PRC, DVC, suppliers, purchasing, and value optimization teams.
Support Chief Engineering resource planning, manpower forecasting, engineering budgets, ER&D/ED&D cost rollups, and new program planning; support business case development and program execution strategies.
Serve as the primary systems engineering interface among Chief Engineering, PRC, manufacturing, suppliers, validation organizations, and vehicle engineering teams.
Facilitate technical consensus and decision-making, constructively challenge design assumptions, lead supplier technical reviews, and drive stakeholder accountability and alignment.
Work on special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.