Product Engineer Body

Location: Dearborn, MI (100% Onsite)
Pay Rate:$42.00 - $47.00/hour
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Travel: Minimal/Occasional as required
Type: W2 Contract

Position Summary

We are seeking a Product Engineer (Design & Release Engineer) to support the design, development, validation, release, and launch of vehicle closure components and systems. This role focuses on Handles, Locks, and Mechanisms (HLM) used in side doors, hoods, frunks, tailgates, liftgates, and decklids. The engineer will work closely with suppliers and cross-functional teams to deliver robust, high-quality products that meet performance, cost, weight, timing, and safety requirements.

This is a fully onsite role based in Dearborn, MI.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design and release activities for handles, latches, locks, hinges, strikers, door checks, and closure mechanisms.
• Manage suppliers to meet program cost, quality, mass, performance, and timing targets.
• Create, review, and update CAD models, engineering drawings, and BOM structures.
• Release and maintain parts in WERS, FEDEBOM, and Teamcenter.
• Perform packaging studies, GD&T reviews, dimensional stack-up analyses, and technical evaluations.
• Develop and maintain DFMEAs, DVP&Rs, SCCAFs, Boundary Diagrams, and P-Diagrams.
• Support sourcing activities, supplier reviews, and engineering cost evaluations.
• Lead technical design reviews and present project updates to engineering leadership.
• Drive root cause investigations using 8D, A3, and 5 Why methodologies.
• Support product validation, vehicle launches, and production implementation activities.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, STA, quality, purchasing, and program teams throughout the product lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in automotive or mechanical product development.
• Experience with one or more of the following:
  • Automotive latching systems
  • Door, hood, liftgate, or tailgate closure systems
  • Seat mechanisms and structures
  • Heavy equipment mechanisms
  • Agricultural machinery
  • Oil & gas drilling equipment
  • Aircraft landing gear systems
• Experience with CATIA, Teamcenter, 3DX, or similar CAD/PLM tools.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and mechanical design principles.
• Experience managing engineering changes and product releases.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis techniques and structured problem-solving methods.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive Design & Release (D&R) experience.
• Experience with closure systems, latching systems, or seat mechanisms.
• Knowledge of WERS, FEDEBOM, Teamcenter, and VisMockup.
• Experience with DFMEA, PFMEA, SCCAF, and DVP&R development.
• Familiarity with PPAP processes and launch support.
• Six Sigma Green Belt experience or certification.
• Knowledge of CAE tools and mechatronic systems.
• Strong project management and supplier management skills.

Technical Skills

• Product Engineering
• Design Release Engineering
• CATIA / Teamcenter / 3DX
• WERS & BOM Management
• GD&T & Tolerance Analysis
• Root Cause Analysis (8D, 5 Why, A3)
• DFMEA / PFMEA / DVP&R
• PPAP
• Change Management
• Mechanical Design
• Systems Engineering
• Supplier Management
• Six Sigma Methodologies

Work Environment

• 100% onsite in Dearborn, MI.
• Occasional travel to suppliers, testing facilities, and assembly plants may be required.

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