Mechanical Engineer – Vehicle Product Development
General Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Mechanical Engineer to support the development of innovative vehicles used by customers around the world. This role offers the opportunity to lead the design and development of vehicle components and systems from concept through production.
The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for vehicles, excellent mechanical engineering fundamentals, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, quality, and other functional teams to deliver high-quality products that meet performance, cost, quality, and timing objectives.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the design and development of vehicle components, assemblies, and systems from initial concept through production release.
- Translate market, customer, and business requirements into system, subsystem, and component-level specifications.
- Execute engineering projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful program delivery with respect to Quality, Delivery, and Cost (QDC).
- Represent Engineering on cross-functional new product development and launch teams.
- Ensure technical rigor and engineering excellence throughout the product development process, including:
- Product and component specifications
- DFMEA
- DVP/DVP&R
- APQP
- Technical Design Reviews
- Design validation and qualification
- Develop and maintain the Engineering Release Plan for assigned programs, including components, assemblies, installations, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Identify and remove technical and organizational roadblocks to accelerate project execution and ensure program milestones are achieved.
- Utilize PTC Creo to design, develop, and refine mechanical components, subsystems, and vehicle systems.
- Work closely with suppliers to develop and validate components and subsystems in accordance with vehicle and engineering specifications.
- Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to ensure Design for Manufacture (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and successful integration of designs into manufacturing processes.
- Lead and support competitive benchmarking, product teardown, cost reduction, and value engineering activities to identify opportunities for product and process improvements.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to less-experienced engineers.
- Develop a thorough understanding of applicable regulatory and industry standards and support efforts to ensure vehicle compliance.
- Develop project schedules, establish milestones, and lead cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives.
- Effectively plan, prioritize, and independently manage large and complex engineering projects.
- Serve as the primary engineering point of contact for customer-related technical issues, coordinating investigation, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and resolution.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent engineering discipline is required.
Professional Experience
- 7+ years of relevant engineering experience is preferred.
- Experience working in the automotive, vehicle, powersports, or related product-development industry is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated expertise in product and assembly design across a variety of manufacturing processes.
Key Competencies and Technical Skills
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following capabilities:
Engineering & Product Development
- Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with demonstrated experience in component, subsystem, and system design.
- Experience with Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA).
- Strong understanding of engineering materials and manufacturing processes.
Manufacturing Process Knowledge
Plastics and polymer processing:
- Injection molding
- Extrusion
- Compression molding
- Blow molding
- Thermoforming
- Other common polymer manufacturing processes
Metal manufacturing processes:
- Extrusion
- Stamping
- Die casting
- Welding
- Other common metal fabrication and manufacturing processes
Analysis & Problem Solving
- Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and the ability to interpret and apply FEA results to engineering design decisions.
- Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, 9-Step, root-cause analysis, and corrective action.
- Ability to identify project and subsystem risks and develop and execute effective risk mitigation plans.
- Ability to evaluate multiple potential solutions and select the best overall engineering solution, considering technical requirements, business impact, cost, manufacturability, quality, and downstream functional impacts.
Project & Business Leadership
- Strong project management and technical leadership capabilities.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, including complex long-term projects and urgent business needs.
- Ability to work effectively in situations involving complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities.
- Strong understanding of engineering financial considerations, including the impact of engineering decisions on cost, quality, timing, and overall business performance.
- Basic understanding of the requirements and business impacts of other functional organizations.
Communication & Collaboration
- Self-motivated, proactive, and results-oriented.
- Strong collaborator with the ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and other functional teams.
- Creative and analytical approach to identifying solutions and driving execution.
- Ability to rapidly understand, organize, and analyze complex information to support sound engineering decisions.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Software Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, including:
- Excel
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Experience with PTC Creo for mechanical design and development.
Physical Requirements
While performing the essential duties of this position, the employee may be required to:
- Communicate effectively through speaking and listening.
- Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods as required.
- Use hands and fingers to operate equipment, tools, and computer systems.
- Reach with hands and arms.
- Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or perform other physical activities as required.
- Work in engineering, laboratory, manufacturing, and vehicle development environments as necessary.
Specific visual requirements include the ability to:
- See at close and long distances.
- Distinguish colors.
- Demonstrate peripheral vision and depth perception.
- Adjust focus between different distances.
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