About this opportunity
Optimal lists this Design Release Engineer - Interiors opportunity in warren, Michigan. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Job Description
As an Interior Design Release Engineer (DRE), you will be a technical authority in Instrument Panel (IP), floor console (FC) or decorative trim (deco) while leading the engineering development, integration, validation, and launch of these systems with an unwavering focus on safety, quality, technical excellence, and flawless execution. You will drive disciplined delivery to all vehicle development milestones, enable beautiful design execution, and achieve cost, quality, mass, craftsmanship, and performance targets across the vehicle portfolio.
This role requires strong engineering fundamentals, systems thinking, and technical rigor, with hands‑on responsibility for CAD/package integration, supplier collaboration, DFMEA/DFSS excellence, and robust validation-from early product definition through launch and into production.
Responsibilities
Program & Technical Leadership
Design, development, analysis, implementation, and validation of the complex instrument panel and console subsystems will be your day-to‑day duties.
Perform engineering design evaluations and concept development across vehicle programs.
Utilize engineering tools (DFMEA, ICDs, PFMEA) and leverage CAE groups including Safety Performance to successfully develop the best system solution.
Assessment of design to manufacturing processes (e.g. injection molding, vibration welding, vacuum forming, foam‑in‑place, wrapping).
Package components, manage CAD development through supplier or GM designers, and collaborate with other systems within the vehicle (Thermal, Electrical, Body, Chassis, Restraints, etc.). Ensure best practices are incorporated in the CAD models and seek support when best practices are not met. Schedule and lead Peer Reviews to analyze the design with technical peers.
Work cross‑functionally to support initial vehicle configuration work, realize cost optimization, deliver customer‑driven requirements, and implement product and process improvements.
Balance business imperatives, including but not limited to cost, part count, mass, complexity, timing, and content.
Communicate information to and from internal and external customer organizations (e.g. Creative Design, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers) and lead the product development team (PDT). Track and resolve open issues with support.
Review, support and apply benchmarking for design direction competitiveness.
Lead execution through change management process to support workstreams and initiatives described above.
Support in the development of Statement of Requirements (SOR) Creation and lead in the development of statements of work, key partner for DFMEA/DRBFM/FEA.
Lead launch activities for your program and commodity with a quality and on‑time execution mindset.
Operational Excellence & Enterprise Alignment
Actively contribute to enterprise initiatives: CAE‑driven design, virtual execution, automation, faster development, and enhanced supply chain.
Maintain process discipline through the project development: clear and objective documentation, lessons‑learned read across, risk assessments, and disciplined engineering execution.
Drive change management rigor (concise problem statements, alternatives, decisions, and impacts on cost, mass, timing, and complexity).
Use benchmarking to calibrate design direction competitiveness and to inform BOM row strategies and feature/content decisions.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and psychological safety within the PDT‑escalate risks early with facts and options.
Strengthen knowledge management (checklists, playbooks, templates, "golden references") and support global alignment on standards and read‑across.
Travel as needed during development, integration, and launch phases (plant builds, supplier trials, DV/PV events, craftsmanship audits).
Skills
Demonstrated ownership and urgency, with the ability to manage competing priorities and drive clear outcomes on cost, mass, complexity, timing, and content.
Project management capability; PMI/PMP preferred.
Effective in change management (clear problem framing, options with quantified impacts, and decisive, documented approvals).
Strong written and verbal communication; able to lead PDTs and coordinate with Creative Design, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers, and adjacent systems (Thermal, Electrical, Body, Chassis, Restraints).
Proven ability to influence without authority, elevate appropriately, and drive cross‑functional alignment.
Required Qualifications
Education, Experience and Technical Depth
Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, Aerospace, Materials or related).
8-10 years in the commodity: instrument panel, floor console, and decorative trim development with end‑to‑end exposure from early product definition through launch.
Demonstrated outstanding performance in subsystem ownership, issue resolution, and on‑time delivery to vehicle development milestones.
Sub‑system expertise in injection molded trim, foam‑in‑place, thermoformed skins, and cut‑and‑sew wrapping of substrates. Detailed knowledge of IP, IP Structure, and Floor Console performance requirements, applicable regulations, and best practices.
Proven proficiency in component/subsystem design and development, vehicle integration, and design for manufacturability/automation.
Mastery of DFMEA/DRBFM, ADVP&R development (validation plans), ICDs, and PFMEA collaboration with Manufacturing Engineering.
Strong partnership with CAE (including Safety Performance) to validate robustness and inform design iterations using data‑driven decisions.
DFSS Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred. Demonstrated use of DFSS tools to prevent defects and enable read‑cross.
Tools & Software
Proficiency with CAD workflows and release processes; ability to manage CAD through supplier or GM designers, ensure best practices are met, and lead peer reviews.
Established knowledge of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project; experience with CAD/visualization tools (e.g., VisMockup, NX/UniGraphics or similar).
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Worksite address
warren, MI, 48091, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.