Lead Mechanical Design Engineer — Body Systems (PDP)

Are you the engineer who can turn concepts into launch-ready reality?

At Magna Exteriors, we’re delivering new body systems through rigorous gated launches. If you thrive on CAD excellence, customer collaboration, and seeing products through prototype to series production, this role is for you.

What you will do

• Own internal/external CAD data and drawing releases for new programs; sustain current programs with VA/VE and CI support.
• Prepare complete layouts, assemblies, and detailed drawings for prototypes and production.
• Lead and participate in design reviews; manage objectives, schedules, and costs.
• Run and interpret CAE (Moldflow, FEA, Warpage) to inform design decisions.
• Document thoroughly—drawings, renderings, reports—per company and customer standards.
• Execute cost studies and tolerance stack-ups; maintain drawing systems and 3D models.
• Advise customer design groups with Magna’s best-in-class parameters for manufacturability and cost.
• Champion continuous improvement; research and recommend process/product enhancements.
• Create patentable concepts; understand submission procedures to Magna and the U.S. Patent Office; track patent status.
• Collaborate with Product and Manufacturing Engineering to achieve world-class DfM for safe, efficient assembly.
• Process CRs and CNs in the Magna Change X tool.
• Capture and share lessons learned across programs.
• Support prototype, pre-production, and production builds.
• Protect intellectual property through required procedures.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Assist program management with product/process development and prototype tooling/builds.

Where you’ll operate

• Location: North America or Global
• Process: Product Delivery Process (PDP) – Gated Launch

Program portfolios

• DE2 — Design Engineer: Medium portfolio (2–4 programs), Standard complexity, Leads programs
• DE3 — Senior Design Engineer: Large portfolio (1–3 programs), High complexity, Mentors and trains others

Accountability in PDP & TraX

1. ME-003 Intellectual Property / Patent Searches
2. ME-030 Critical Design Review (CDR)
3. ME-035 CAE (Moldflow, FEA, Warpage Analysis, Other)
4. ME-039 Customer Design Freeze
5. ME-040 Data Release

What you bring

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a Technical field

Experience

• DE2: 4–9 years | DE3: 10+ years
• Direct customer/supplier engagement: DE2 Skilled | DE3 Expert
• New product launches and gated launches: DE2 Skilled | DE3 Expert
• Automotive OEM experience: DE2 Skilled | DE3 Expert
• CAD software depth (CATIA, NX, other): DE2 Skilled | DE3 Expert

Skilled: Executes moderately complex tasks independently; leads programs without mentorship; decisions matter long-term.

Expert: Tackles complex, large-scale programs; fully competent; mentors others; accountable for high-risk scopes.

Software and tools

• Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• CAD: CATIA, NX, or comparable

Competencies

• Communication and English Proficiency: Strong writing, reading, and speaking; effective one-on-one presentation; excellent listening.
• Ethics and Initiative: High integrity; self-starter; comfortable with ambiguity.
• Safety and Customer Focus: Observes safety; uses materials responsibly; builds enduring customer relationships.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Alignment: Brings stakeholders to consensus and aligns outcomes to goals.

Technical requirements

Required

• CAD proficiency
• Solid mathematics skills
• GD&T literacy; blueprint reading
• Ability to support/maintain DFMEA, Open Issue Lists, and timelines

Desired

• Membership in a relevant professional engineering organization
• ASME GD&T certification

Additional proficiencies

• GD&T
• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing)
• PFMEA
• Supplier Management
• CAD Software
• DFM
• Product Design Experience
• Engineering Degree
• Supplier Negotiation Experience

Machines & technologies you’ll use

• NX CAD (Siemens) and other CAD tools

Work environment & travel

• Limited travel in support of supplier/customer requests
• Comfort working on the manufacturing floor for extended periods; support at customer sites when requested
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds