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Position Overview

The HLM Design and Release Engineer will work on Vehicle Handles, Locks, and Mechanisms for doors, hoods, frunks, tailgates, liftgates, and decklids. Components include handles, latches, locks, strikers, hinges, door checks, and manual or powered mechanisms. You will be responsible for the design, development, validation, release, and implementation of these components into vehicle closures. You will also drive design improvements to increase quality and optimize cost and weight throughout development and the production life of the products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead HLM system design and development within different organizations to deliver Regulatory Requirements, Design Rules, and Functional deliverables
• Manage and lead HLM suppliers to comply with program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets
• Understand Global Product Development System and create plans to deliver on time
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver a robust system at vehicle level, ensuring all system interfaces are evaluated and validated
• Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews
• Perform and/or review sign-off technical analyses of component/system functional and packaging studies, including dimensional stackups, GDT layouts, CAE, dynamic calculations, and simulations
• Actively participate in Technical Design Reviews
• Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS through the product life cycle
• Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter
• Compile, document, sign-off, and present evidence of compliance to all applicable design rules and requirements
• Develop HLM System documents including DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, and DVPRs
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance
• Develop ESOW (Engineering Statement of Work), EC (Engineering Concepts), and participate in the Sourcing Process, SOBA, EDT review, piece cost, and tooling cost review
• Identify validation, durability, and functional tests required per SDS, ES, DVP, and FEDE
• Address issues with root cause analysis, 8Ds, 5-Why, and permanent corrective actions implementation
• Apply knowledge of Six Sigma principles
• Define and verify engineering prototypes requirements at part level
• Parts implementation/sign-off at assembly plant and assistance with quality issues at all milestones
• Review impact of PDL revisions and proceed accordingly if affected
• Collaborate with STA with technical assistance through the Supplier Engagement Process
• Lead HLM system on vehicle launches at supplier, assembly, and other manufacturing plants
• Travel to supplier, manufacturing, and testing sites when required

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 2 years of engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms (can include internships and coursework)
• Experience with one or more of the following:
  • Automotive latching systems (side door latching, tailgate/liftgate latch, or latching systems)
  • Automotive product engineering or design release engineering
  • Body closures systems
  • Seat mechanisms or seat structures
  • Farming or oil drilling mechanism product design
  • Airplane landing gear mechanism product engineering
  • Heavy construction mechanism product engineering
• CAD capability such as CATIA, 3DX, and Teamcenter familiarity with CAE tools and software
• Responsibility for managing product release, CAD, and BOM structures including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis
• Ability to facilitate supplier data integration and develop CAD studies to support design improvements
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative and prioritize workload
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Proficiency in MS Office applications such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, MS Teams, and MS Azure SharePoint
• Onsite 5 days a week in office and/or at manufacturing plants

Preferred Experience

• Experience in design and release of latching mechanisms, closure systems, or related mechanism applications such as seat and seat structures
• Software literacy and mechatronics experience
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis
• 8D and 5-Why corrective action and problem-solving skills
• Experience with DFMEAs, PFMEAs, and SCAFs
• Knowledge of the Phased PPAP process
• Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GDT
• Ability to work in a fluid environment when overall vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location are not always known
• Ability to solve complex system issues and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to adapt your role to a variety of applications and issues as required
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification

Additional Skills

• Product Engineering: Integrate requirements, design, validation, supplier, and manufacturing inputs into production-ready solutions
• Root Cause Analysis: Use data, testing, and structured analysis to confirm and resolve technical root causes
• Six Sigma Methodology: Use data-driven methods to improve quality, reliability, and process performance
• VisMockup: Use digital mockup tools to verify packaging, clearances, assembly access, and mechanism motion
• WERS: Create and maintain part releases, BOM data, engineering changes, and effectivity
• Production Release: Complete accurate and timely releases of parts, drawings, specifications, BOMs, and revisions

Location and Work Arrangement

This is a fully onsite position based in Dearborn, Michigan. Occasional travel to supplier test facilities, supplier plants, and Ford stamping/assembly plants may be required. Candidates must be onsite from day one as specified. Remote-only candidates will not be considered.