Design Release Engineer - Exterior Plastics (Automotive)

Job Description

Job Description

Design Release Engineer – Exterior Plastics (Fascia / Bumper / Grille)

Location: Auburn Hills, MI
Pay Rate: $42/hour
Schedule: Full-Time | Onsite

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Design Release Engineer (DRE) to support the development and launch of exterior automotive components including fascias, bumpers, grilles, cladding, trim, and related plastic assemblies.

This is a true hands-on Design Release Engineer role — not a CAD Designer position. The selected candidate will own assigned parts and systems from initial concept through full production launch while managing quality, cost, timing, BOM ownership, and cross-functional coordination.

The ideal candidate will have automotive launch experience, strong ownership mentality, and hands-on release engineering experience supporting complex exterior plastic automotive components.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Release

• Develop exterior automotive components and systems from initial concept through full production launch
• Support feasibility development from Product Design Office (PDO) concepts, sketches, and clay models
• Establish and manage engineering timelines throughout the life of the project
• Develop and maintain:
• • DVPR
  • DFMEA
  • Functional objectives
  • Build objectives
• Lead design activities while coordinating with internal CAD resources and external design sources
• Release completed component geometry using Teamcenter/NX CAD tools
• Manage BOM ownership, engineering releases, and change management activities

Validation & Testing

• Validate virtual designs using CAE resources
• Support component, system, and vehicle-level validation testing
• Oversee tooling construction and assembly production activities
• Support vehicle pilot builds and onsite production launches at assembly plants

Quality & Problem Resolution

• Investigate and resolve:
• • Assembly issues
  • Fit & finish concerns
  • Functional performance issues
  • Warranty-related concerns
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions
• Identify cost reduction opportunities within production systems
• Support safety compliance reporting and documentation activities

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:
• • Studio / Product Design Office
  • Suppliers
  • Manufacturing teams
  • Plant operations
  • Internal engineering groups
• Drive issue resolution across multiple stakeholders
• Coordinate launch support activities and engineering updates

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering required
• Minimum 1+ year of automotive engineering experience
• Hands-on Design Release Engineer (DRE) experience required
• Must have true release ownership experience — not just design support
• Automotive industry experience required
• Experience supporting product or vehicle launches
• Plant or supplier launch exposure required
• Experience with exterior automotive plastic components including:
• • Fascias
  • Grilles
  • Cladding
  • Trim / appliques
• Experience managing complex assemblies or multi-part systems
• Strong understanding of automotive release and development processes
• Ability to clearly explain hands-on responsibilities and ownership of work

Preferred Qualifications

• 3–8+ years of relevant automotive engineering experience
• OEM experience strongly preferred
• Tier 1 supplier experience considered
• Experience with:
• • Class A surfaces
  • Painted exterior components
  • Complex assemblies
• Experience working cross-functionally with suppliers and manufacturing teams
• Strong problem-solving and issue resolution capabilities

Technical Skills

• Teamcenter
• NX CAD
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Engineering documentation and release systems
• DFMEA / DVPR development
• Root Cause Analysis
• Change Management

Soft Skills & Behavioral Expectations

• Self-starter with strong ownership mentality
• Comfortable operating independently in a fast-paced engineering environment
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to lead from the seat and drive issue resolution
• Strong follow-through and problem-solving capabilities
• Able to coordinate multiple teams and priorities simultaneously

Important Candidate Requirements

Candidates must have:

• Direct hands-on Design Release Engineer experience
• Automotive launch and plant support experience
• Experience with exterior automotive plastic components
• Experience supporting complex assemblies/BOMs

Candidates with primarily design-only backgrounds or experience limited to wiring, powertrain, or unrelated engineering disciplines will not be considered.