Design/Product Development Engineer

We are seeking a senior-level Design Engineer to support the design, development, validation, and launch of automotive accessory and interior products from concept through production release. This role offers full ownership of accessory development programs across interior, exterior, performance, and lifestyle categories for a premium/luxury vehicle program.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop automotive accessory components and systems
• Create CAD models, engineering drawings, DVP&R documentation, DFMEAs, validation plans, and engineering releases
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Marketing, and Program Management teams
• Lead supplier reviews, feasibility assessments, sourcing support, and tooling discussions
• Support prototype builds, validation testing, and production launches
• Drive issue resolution, cost optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Mentor junior engineers as needed

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of automotive interior components/systems development experience
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or related field
• Strong proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 (or equivalent CAD software)
• Proven experience with full product lifecycle ownership concept through production launch
• Familiarity with engineering analysis and design tools in a Windows engineering environment

Preferred Qualifications (Ideal Candidate)

• Experience with multiple vehicle launches, concept through production
• Premium or luxury automotive industry experience
• Strong supplier management and sourcing experience
• Working knowledge of APQP, GD&T, DFMEA, and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Demonstrated cross-functional leadership
• Experience owning smaller, high-impact products (e.g., cupholders, coolers, storage solutions, accessories)
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong problem-solving and resourcefulness
• Passion for automotive products and customer experience

What Makes This Role Interesting

• End-to-end ownership of accessory development programs
• Direct impact on customer experience and vehicle personalization
• Collaboration with Design Studio and cross-functional vehicle teams
• Exposure to a wide variety of materials, suppliers, and manufacturing processes
• Creative, innovation-focused work environment

Ideal Candidate Traits

• Comfortable in fast-paced, ambiguous development environments
• Flexible across multiple product categories (not narrowly specialized)
• Open to feedback and views obstacles as opportunities
• Strong communicator across technical and business stakeholders