Front Closures DRE

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

22h

About The Position

The Design and Release Engineer (DRE) is responsible for the design, development, and release of Body Closure systems, including side doors, hoods, tailgates, hardware, and other related components. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in mechanical engineering, materials, and manufacturing processes, with a focus on achieving optimal performance, durability, and safety standards. The Engineer will coordinate design activities and communicate results between suppliers and Stellantis cross-functional groups, requiring frequent interaction with tier 1 suppliers to track program timing and deliverables. The role involves resolving component issues with suppliers at both the component and vehicle levels, supporting manufacturing builds at supplier facilities and Stellantis vehicle assembly plants, and collaborating on DFMEA and DV/PV tests to meet published product milestones.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or a related field (or equivalent) from an accredited university.
Minimum 5 years of experience in automotive Closures engineering or related field.
Strong CAD skills (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, or similar).
Knowledge of structural analysis, GD&T, and DFMEA.
Experience with sheet metal, hinges, and closures systems.
Understanding of materials and manufacturing processes (stamping, injection molding, composites).
Initiative-taker and highly motivated.
Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills.
Ability to work both autonomously and in a team environment.
Ability to manage time and communicate well with other stakeholders.
Ability to manage pressure and resolve conflicts constructively.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in engineering or related technical field.
Experience working directly with OEM or Tier 1 sealing suppliers.
Experience with problem solving such as Red-X.
Experience with robust design such as DFSS.
Knowledge of global automotive standards and sealing performance requirements.
Understanding of thermal expansion, body tolerances, and design for assembly in relation to sealing systems.
Hands-on experience with vehicle builds and plant launch activities.
Working with OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers in closures development is desired.

Responsibilities

Develop closure systems from concept through production, ensuring compliance with performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.
Create and refine CAD models, conduct structural analysis, and collaborate with CAE teams for virtual validation.
Work with materials such as aluminum, steel, composites, and plastics to optimize strength, weight, and cost efficiency.
Coordinate with design, manufacturing, suppliers, and other engineering teams to ensure seamless integration and production feasibility.
Identify opportunities for weight reduction and cost savings while maintaining performance and quality standards.
Author Performance Specifications (PF-spec) and Design Validation Test Plans (DVP).
Review and sign off on Suppliers Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (DFMEA).
Apply design best practices and lessons learned from past product developments within Stellantis.
Develop and release components for each Program Team by monitoring timelines, project deliverables, and cross-platform read across.
Interface with EE systems, PDO, Mechatronics, PFDI, in the development of system functional requirements.
Support efforts to meet warranty targets and relevant quality service field initiatives.
Communicate component product development status on a weekly basis via DRE-authored and maintained open issues list/project timelines and technical presentations.
Ensure component-level regulatory compliance requirements are met by coordinating with suppliers and internal Stellantis regulatory compliance teams.
Interface with global employees to harmonize product designs, processes, and documentation to promote component re-use.
Direct suppliers in developing, testing, and releasing components to meet Stellantis vehicle-level functional objectives and sub-system level behavior objectives.
Directly involved with supplier design efforts and design reviews to ensure the supplier design meets Stellantis expectations as listed in Stellantis specifications.
Responsible for meeting all vehicle program milestones and conducting all releasing processes within Stellantis related to the component and its interface within the vehicle.