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, integration, 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.

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 and seeks support when best practice not met. Schedule and lead Peer Reviews
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 (including "virtual by 2025"), automation, faster development, and enhanced supply chain.
Maintain process discipline through the project development: crystal clear documentation, lessons learned read across, risk registers, 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)

Required Qualification:
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; 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, DVP&R development, ICDs, and PFMEA collaboration with ME.
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 across.

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, escalate appropriately, and drive cross functional alignment.

Tools & Software:

Proficiency with CAD workflows and release processes; ability to manage CAD through supplier or GM designers, ensure best practices, 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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