Lead Mechanical Design Engineer-High Voltage Connector

Eaton Corporation•Lathrup Village, MI

4d•$97,000 - $143,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Eaton’s Power Connections business is seeking a Lead High Voltage Connector Mechanical Design Engineer to develop high-voltage automotive connection systems from concept through production. The role provides technical leadership for connector and terminal design, requirements, analysis, design reviews, risk management, validation, and industrialization. The engineer partners with customers and cross-functional teams to translate application needs into robust, manufacturable, and compliant product solutions. This is a hybrid opportunity based from Eaton’s Southfield, Michigan campus. Candidates must reside within 50 miles of Southfield, except active-duty military applicants. Relocation and employment immigration sponsorship are not available. The expected annual salary range is $97,000–$143,000, and the position is eligible for a variable incentive program. Eaton offers health and welfare benefits, retirement benefits, and programs providing paid and unpaid time away from work; specific options depend on eligibility factors. Eaton announced its intent to combine its Mobility Group with a new company, with completion expected by the end of the first half of 2027. Compensation and benefits initially offered for this position are based on Eaton’s plans, programs, and practices. If an employee is actively employed by the Mobility Group when the transaction closes, the new company will provide further details about compensation and benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
At least five years of product design or product development experience in automotive connectors, terminals, electrical distribution, electromechanical products, or a closely related field.
At least two years of experience developing high-voltage automotive connection systems, comparable high-voltage electromechanical products, or related products.
Experience using 3D CAD and engineering drawings to develop and release production-intent components and assemblies.
Experience with structured design risk management and product validation, including DFMEA and design verification planning.
Customer-focused technical judgment and ability to convert ambiguity into clear engineering decisions.
Ability to lead through influence across engineering, program management, quality, manufacturing, sourcing, suppliers, and customers.
Curiosity, continuous learning, and willingness to challenge assumptions using data and sound engineering principles.
Commitment to collaboration, inclusion, transparency, and constructive technical debate.
Must reside within 50 miles of Southfield, Michigan, unless exempt as active-duty military.
Eaton will not provide employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Materials Science from an accredited institution.
Experience with automotive connector and terminal standards and customer requirements, such as USCAR-2 and applicable high-voltage connection-system standards, plus relevant ISO, IEC, DIN, or UL requirements.
Experience with stamped-metal terminals, copper alloys, contact interfaces, plating systems, polymer housings, seals, injection molding, and design for assembly.
Knowledge of Siemens NX, Teamcenter, or comparable CAD and product lifecycle management tools.
Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, engineering change management, supplier technical reviews, and automotive product launches.
Experience applying problem-solving methods such as 8D, root-cause analysis, or Design for Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

Own mechanical design and technical definition of high-voltage connector and terminal systems from concept through launch and post-launch support.
Translate customer, regulatory, and internal requirements into product-level and component-level engineering requirements, including interfaces, environmental conditions, electrical performance, sealing, packaging, serviceability, and ergonomics.
Lead concept generation, trade studies, tolerance analysis, material and plating selection, design reviews, and design release using a structured product-development process.
Create and maintain engineering deliverables, including drawings, specifications, bills of material, engineering change documentation, interface definitions, design verification plans and reports, and technical reports.
Lead design risk management using the AIAG-VDA DFMEA methodology and ensure design controls, verification, and lessons learned are reflected in product requirements and design standards.
Develop validation strategies and support DV/PV testing against customer and industry requirements; review results, investigate failures, document root cause, and drive corrective actions to closure.
Partner with CAE specialists to define analysis plans, interpret simulation results, correlate models to test data, and improve design guidelines for high-voltage connection systems.
Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, supplier quality, sourcing, program management, test engineering, and suppliers to ensure manufacturability, process capability, APQP and PPAP readiness, and on-time technical delivery.
Lead technical discussions with customers and suppliers, communicate risks and tradeoffs, and provide evidence-based recommendations to project and business leaders.
Mentor engineers and designers, capture lessons learned, and contribute to common design practices, checklists, and standards across the Power Connections organization.
Promote a safe working environment and follow Eaton environmental, health, safety, quality, and ethics requirements.