Sr. Engineer - Core Engineering

Astemo Indiana•Farmington Hills, MI

About The Position

Astemo Americas Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Engineer – Materials & Structural to join the Suspension Core Engineering Team. This role is focused on shock absorber components and technologies and is ideal for a senior‑level engineer with a strong foundation in mechanical design, materials engineering, structural durability, and manufacturing processes. The Core Engineering team is the technical backbone and component authority for shock absorber components and technologies, translating vehicle‑level requirements into robust, manufacturable damper solutions by owning engineering fundamentals, design standards, and validation methodologies across global programs. In this role, the Senior Engineer will lead and influence material selection, structural integrity, durability performance, and manufacturability of shock absorber components supporting both passive and semi‑active systems. This position plays a critical role in development of new technology, global standard creation, industrialization support, and production issue resolution, working closely with design, simulation, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and OEM customers.

Requirements

Strong fundamentals in: Mechanical design, Materials science and metallurgy, Structural strength and fatigue, Manufacturing processes (forming, welding, heat treatment, surface treatments)
Proficiency in 3D modeling and 2D drawing creation with GD&T (CATIA or SolidWorks preferred)
Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications.
Experience with structural and fatigue analysis (FEA/FEM) and test correlation
Solid understanding of DFMEA, DVP&R, and automotive development processes
Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
6+ years of applicable experience in automotive or mechanical product development

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of corrosion behavior, coatings, and durability testing methods is a plus
Knowledge of vehicle dynamics and ride & handling fundamentals, including an understanding of how damper characteristics influence ride comfort, handling, and vehicle performance, is a plus.
Master’s degree preferred
Strong background in suspension, shock absorbers, or highly loaded mechanical components preferred

Responsibilities

Lead materials and structural engineering activities for shock absorber components and sub‑systems, including tubes, rods, valves, weldments, brackets, and other load‑bearing parts
Apply mechanical design principles to ensure robust structural performance, durability, and functional integrity of damper components
Define and execute material selection strategies, balancing performance, durability, cost, weight, manufacturability, and regulatory requirements
Guide structural, strength, and fatigue analysis using FEA tools, and correlate analysis results with physical testing
Develop and maintain materials, coating, and structural design standards for shock absorber components
Support corrosion, durability, and material validation testing, including interpretation of results and definition of acceptance criteria
Review and approve 3D models and engineering drawings with detailed GD&T, ensuring alignment with functional and manufacturing requirements
Provide technical leadership in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA), collaborating with manufacturing and suppliers to ensure production‑ready designs
Lead and support DFMEA, DVP&R, and design reviews, ensuring material and structural risks are identified and mitigated
Investigate material, structural, or durability failures, perform root cause analysis, and define corrective actions for development or production issues
Collaborate with Tier‑2 suppliers, global engineering teams, and OEM customers on material, structural, and durability topics
Mentor and provide technical guidance to early‑career engineers within Core Engineering
Stay current with emerging materials, manufacturing technologies, and structural durability methods relevant to suspension and damping systems