Mechanical Design Engineer III

NSNA•Pontiac, MI

42d

About The Position

The Mechanical Design Engineer leads the design and development of automotive instrument clusters (IPC) and head-up displays (HUDs). The role reviews customer requirements, specifications, and manufacturing constraints to create engineering product design proposals, specifications, and drawings using engineering principles and Design Engineering Standards (DES). It also analyzes test data, performs root-cause analysis, prepares 5-Phase/5-Why analyses and engineering reports, develops technical presentation materials, and delivers presentations to internal and external customers. The engineer leads development of 3D models and 2D drawings, including GD&T for structural components, while considering DFM/DFA, assembly, cost, materials, and component specifications. The role provides technical support through pre-production and production preparation, works with customers, suppliers, and assembly plants, and mentors other engineers in design, analysis, and technical documentation. Additional work includes RFQ conceptual designs, feasibility studies, DFMEA and DVP development, in-vehicle performance checks, prototype trials, and product testing and evaluation. The position is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and involves Monday–Friday work hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with off-hours as needed. Travel is 10–15% domestically and/or internationally.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
4–8 years of automotive design and development experience.
Work experience with CAD, specifically CATIA or UG.
Experience with FEA analysis, especially vibration, thermal, and linear/non-linear analysis.
Work experience with GD&T and stack-up analysis.
Coursework or specialization in Strength of Materials, Design for Six Sigma, Statics & Dynamics, SQC, CAD/CAE, optics principles, materials, and manufacturing principles.
Meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years.
Valid driver’s license if domestic travel is necessary; valid passport if international travel is necessary.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Experience in automotive, structures, plastics, or optics.
Working knowledge of ABAQUS.
Experience with optical design principles and OPTIS or LightTools light-simulation software.
Willingness and ability to travel 10–15% domestically and/or internationally.

Responsibilities

Lead design and development of automotive instrument clusters and head-up displays, including 3D models and 2D drawings with GD&T for structural components, assembly drawings, and consideration of DFM/DFA, cost, materials, and component specifications.
Mentor optical design and simulation using light simulation software.
Mentor support engineers in engineering calculations and stack-up analysis.
Ensure development metrics comply with APICE/IATF process requirements.
Provide technical and design support during pre-production, including PV testing, root-cause analysis, and 5-Phase report preparation, and during production preparation in quality, assembly, and process areas.
Provide technical and design support to assembly plants and suppliers on quality- and design-related matters.
Execute customer design changes and update internal design deliverables and documentation.
Interface with customers to understand design requirements during specification, styling, and product development; compile Specification Confirmation Reports before development.
Mentor structural, thermal, and dynamic analysis using FEA software.
Lead conceptual design, bill of materials, and design feasibility studies for RFQ responses and technical presentations.
Lead development of DFMEA and DVP, and creation of failure-analysis and 5-Phase reports.
Lead in-vehicle performance checks at customer locations during pre-production, assess product design integrity, identify issues, and compile summary reports.
Mentor design engineers in benchmark analysis, attend trade shows, and compile market-trend analyses of IPC/HUD products.
Assist with prototype development during build trials.
Assist manufacturing plants and quality teams in resolving technical, manufacturing, and quality issues.
Assist with testing and evaluation of IPC/HUD products as required.
Mentor support engineers in preparing technical documents for quality-gate assessment meetings with the parent company in Japan.