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Design Release Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Optimal Inc.

Design Release Engineer

Embry Hills, GA · Hybrid

$39.75 - $45.25/hr

As an Interior Design Release Engineer (DRE), you will be a technical authority in Instrument Panel (IP) Structure while leading the engineering development, integration, validation, and launch of ...

Optimal Inc.

Design Release Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$37 - $42.25/hr

As a Theme Development Engineer, you will work with many team members to make the design vision a reality. From developing initial engineering concepts for a new design concept, guiding, and ...

Stellantis

ADAS Design Release Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$38 - $43.50/hr

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field * Minimum 1 year design and release experience with automotive ECUs (electronic modules) * Outstanding written and ...

Optimal Inc.

Design Release Engineer

Dearborn, MI · Hybrid

$37 - $42.25/hr

As a Theme Development Engineer, you will work with many team members to make the design vision a reality. From developing initial engineering concepts for a new design concept, guiding, and ...

Optimal Inc.

Design Release Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$37 - $42.25/hr

As a Theme Development Engineer, you will work with many team members to make the design vision a reality. From developing initial engineering concepts for a new design concept, guiding, and ...

General Motors

Design Release Engineer - GM Defense

Warren, MI · On-site

$37.75 - $43.25/hr

The Role GM Defense is seeking Design Release Engineers (Level 6) to support the design, release, integration, validation, and lifecycle management of key vehicle subsystems on current and future ...

General Motors

Design Release Engineer - Seatbelts

Warren, MI · On-site

$37.75 - $43.25/hr

As a Design and Release Engineer - Seatbelts, you will serve as the technical leader for seatbelt system design, development, integration, and release across multiple vehicle programs. You will drive ...

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Design Release Engineer information

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How much do design release engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for design release engineer in the United States is $42.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.70 and $44.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Design Release Engineers face when managing design changes throughout a product's lifecycle?

Design Release Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating across multiple teams—including design, manufacturing, and quality—to ensure that all stakeholders are aligned on design changes. Navigating tight deadlines while maintaining compliance with industry standards and documentation requirements can also be demanding. Additionally, managing late-stage design changes without impacting production schedules requires strong organizational and communication skills. Being proactive and detail-oriented helps in overcoming these hurdles and ensuring a smooth release process.

What is the difference between Design Release Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectDesign Release EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Primary FocusManaging product release processes, ensuring design compliance, coordinating with manufacturingCreating and developing mechanical components and systems, focusing on design and functionality
Required SkillsDesign documentation, project management, CAD, quality controlCAD, mechanical analysis, prototyping, materials knowledge
Work EnvironmentCross-functional teams, manufacturing plants, quality assuranceDesign offices, R&D labs, prototyping facilities
Common IndustriesAutomotive, aerospace, electronics manufacturingAutomotive, consumer products, industrial equipment

While both roles involve engineering and CAD skills, the Design Release Engineer primarily manages the product release process and ensures design compliance, whereas the Mechanical Design Engineer focuses on developing mechanical components and systems. Both roles are essential in product development but serve different stages and responsibilities within the engineering lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Release Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Release Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, familiarity with product development lifecycles, and a relevant engineering degree. Expertise in CAD software, product data management (PDM) systems, and knowledge of industry standards or certifications like Six Sigma are typically required. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help you work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage design changes. These abilities are crucial for ensuring products meet quality standards, launch on time, and align with organizational goals.

How much does a GM design release engineer make?

A General Motors design release engineer typically earns between $70,000 and $110,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and level of seniority. Compensation may also include bonuses and benefits, and proficiency in CAD tools and automotive standards can influence salary levels.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

A Design Release Engineer typically does not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive or specialized roles within the tech or engineering industries. Senior engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills, or leadership responsibilities may approach high six-figure or low seven-figure compensation, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or large corporations. However, reaching a $500,000 annual salary is rare for standard engineering positions without additional bonuses, stock options, or executive-level responsibilities.

What does a design release engineer do?

A design release engineer manages the process of approving and releasing product designs for manufacturing, ensuring they meet quality and compliance standards. They coordinate with design, engineering, and manufacturing teams, often using CAD software and version control tools, to ensure timely and accurate product launches.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, data engineering, and certain engineering management roles can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. These roles often require advanced certifications, leadership responsibilities, and expertise in tools like cloud platforms or complex systems.

What are Design Release Engineers?

Design Release Engineers (DREs) are professionals who oversee the development, validation, and release of engineering designs, typically in the automotive or manufacturing industries. They act as the primary liaison between the design team, suppliers, and manufacturing, ensuring that parts or systems meet all requirements and are released on time and within budget. DREs are responsible for managing design changes, coordinating testing, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Their role is critical in bringing products from concept to production while addressing technical and logistical challenges.
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Design Release Engineer jobs near you
Staff Design Release Engineer, Compute

Staff Design Release Engineer, Compute

Motional

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

$144K - $191K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Motional's Pittsburgh office is located in the new Hazelwood Green development, a culmination of the city's goal of restoring an economic driver to the neighborhood in a thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable way. With views along the Monongahela river, the Pittsburgh office is in the heart of this new state of the art development.
Mission Summary:
Our newly formed Design Release Engineering team, within the Vehicle Platform Engineering group, is seeking a highly motivated Staff Engineer to own the design release and integration of our autonomous vehicle's compute and connectivity subsystem. This role serves as the primary technical authority for the end-to-end design, release, validation, and production readiness of our high-performance compute hardware and associated controllers. You will ensure robust technical execution, manage supplier and cross-functional alignment, and drive hardware delivery that meets all performance, cost, and timing objectives.
What You'll Be Doing:
  • Own the complete design release of the high-performance compute and connectivity hardware, including the mechanical mounting, alignment, thermal management, electrical interface, and vehicle network integration.
  • Drive technical execution for the full product lifecycle, from concept and architecture definition to sustaining engineering and continuous improvement.
  • Oversee the generation and release of all engineering documentation, including models and drawings, Bills of Material (BOM), specifications, and test reports, ensuring alignment with vehicle-level design.
  • Define and maintain the Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R), ensuring successful validation against system performance targets.
  • Lead the Engineering Change (ECN) process for compute and connectivity hardware, ensuring traceability, cost impact analysis, version control, and full cross-functional buy-in.
  • Act as the primary technical and program interface to suppliers (Tier 1 and Tier 2), tracking part maturity through DV, PV, and PPAP phases to ensure tooling and delivery readiness.
  • Build strong partnerships across the Systems Engineering, Autonomy, Software Infrastructure, Quality, and Vehicle Integration teams to ensure seamless hardware integration and manufacturability (DFM/DFA).
  • Lead technical program reviews and design readiness assessments, proactively developing risk mitigation plans to ensure compute hardware maturity aligns with program milestones and build events.
  • Provide regular, concise updates to technical leadership on design maturity, validation progress, open issues, and timely closure metrics.

What We're Looking For:
  • 8+ years of experience in automotive hardware design and release engineering, with direct ownership of Domain Controllers, HPCs, or Telematics units.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, or Systems Engineering (or a related field).
  • Deep technical understanding of compute architectures, high-speed data buses, and wireless connectivity standards.
  • Fundamental knowledge of validation documentation and processes, including DVP&R, DFMEA, and PFMEA.
  • Expert-level experience with the manufacturing BOM and ECN processes, and a proven ability to manage technical discussions with external suppliers.
  • Familiarity with CAD systems (e.g., NX, CATIA), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems (including requirement management tools such as Polarion), and engineering release workflows.
  • Strong understanding of vehicle integration, packaging, and functional safety standards (ISO 26262).
  • Proven ability to lead complex initiatives, manage cross-functional teams, and execute to aggressive program timelines with minimal oversight.

Bonus Points:
  • Experience with advanced in-vehicle prototypes and benchtop systems.
  • Proven track record of driving goal-level impact across multiple teams or subsystems.
  • Prior experience in a fast-growing autonomous vehicle or robotics company.

This role is based in our Pittsburgh office and requires in-office days each week.
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors including but not limited to specific skills, experience and expertise, role location, certifications, licenses, and business needs. The estimated compensation range listed in this job posting reflects base salary only. This role may include additional forms of compensation such as a bonus or company equity. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.
Candidates for certain positions are eligible to participate in Motional's benefits program. Motional's benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, health saving accounts, life insurance, pet insurance, and more.
Salary Range
$144,000-$191,250 USD
Motional is a driverless technology company making autonomous vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. We're driven by something more.
Our journey is always people first.
We aren't just developing driverless cars; we're creating safer roadways, more equitable transportation options, and making our communities better places to live, work, and connect. Our team is made up of engineers, researchers, innovators, dreamers and doers, who are creating a technology with the potential to transform the way we move.
Higher purpose, greater impact.
We're creating first-of-its-kind technology that will transform transportation. To do so successfully, we must design for everyone in our cities and on our roads. We believe in building a great place to work through a progressive, global culture that is diverse, inclusive, and ensures people feel valued at every level of the organization. Diversity helps us to see the world differently; it's not only good for our business, it's the right thing to do.
Scale up, not starting up.
Our team is behind some of the industry's largest leaps forward, including the first fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the U.S, the launch of the world's first robotaxi pilot, and operation of the world's longest-standing public robotaxi fleet. We're driven to scale; we're moving towards commercialization of our technology, and we need team members who are ready to embrace change and challenges.
Formed as a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, Motional is fundamentally changing how people move through their lives. Headquartered in Boston, Motional has operations in the U.S and Asia. For more information, visit www.Motional.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Motional AD Inc. is an EOE. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To comply with Federal Law, we participate in E-Verify. All newly-hired employees are queried through this electronic system established by the DHS and the SSA to verify their identity and employment eligibility.

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