1

Senior Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Senior Design Release Engineer

Troy, MI ยท On-site

$38.25 - $43.50/hr

ABOUT THE ROLE The Senior Design & Release Engineer leads the design, development, validation, release, and launch support of Body in White structures and vehicle integration components for complete ...

Senior Design Release Engineer

Troy, MI ยท On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

ABOUT THE ROLE The Senior Design & Release Engineer leads the design, development, validation, release, and launch support of Body in White structures and vehicle integration components for complete ...

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Plymouth, MI ยท On-site

$85K - $118K/yr

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will work closely with systems engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and OEM customers to develop innovative ...

Senior Designer Location: Sterling Heights, MI (Onsite only) Position Type: Full-time We are ... In this role, you will work closely with engineering, vendors, manufacturing, quality, and ...

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Plymouth, MI ยท On-site

$85K - $118K/yr

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will work closely with systems engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and OEM customers to develop innovative ...

Senior Exterior Trims Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI ยท On-site

$98K - $135K/yr

... Sr. Design Engineer to join our dynamic team. This individual will play a key role in the design ... Design and engineer exterior components such as substrates, bumpers, grille assemblies, bezel, skid ...

As a Design Engineer II, you will use tools like CAD, tolerance analysis, FEA, FMEA, and DVP&R to ... Conduct DFMEA, FEA, tolerance analysis, and other analytical studies with oversight from senior ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Design Engineer information

See Michigan salary details

$54.9K

$105.9K

$166.9K

How much do senior design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior design engineer in Michigan is $105,869.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,800.00 and $120,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior design engineer do?

A Senior Design Engineer is responsible for leading the design and development of products, systems, or components, often within engineering or manufacturing industries. They create detailed technical drawings and specifications, oversee project timelines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure designs meet safety, quality, and efficiency standards. Additionally, they mentor junior engineers, troubleshoot design challenges, and may interact with clients or stakeholders to clarify requirements and present solutions. Their role combines technical expertise, project management, and leadership skills.

How does a senior design engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a product development cycle?

Senior Design Engineers frequently work alongside professionals from manufacturing, quality assurance, project management, and marketing to ensure the successful development and launch of products. They lead design reviews, gather input from other departments, and address technical challenges collaboratively. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to balance design intent with practical constraints such as cost, manufacturability, and regulatory requirements. Regular meetings and iterative feedback loops are a standard part of the process, making teamwork and adaptability essential for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Design Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, advanced problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's or master's degree in engineering. Proficiency with CAD software, simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards or certifications such as PE (Professional Engineer) are typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and project management skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure the delivery of innovative, reliable designs while leading teams and projects to successful outcomes.

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

AspectSenior Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, experience in design, possibly professional engineering licenseBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field, design experience
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, project management, cross-disciplinary collaborationDesign and development of mechanical components, CAD work, prototype testing
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, manufacturing, aerospace, automotiveManufacturing, product design, machinery development

The main difference is that a Senior Design Engineer typically has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and may oversee projects, while a Mechanical Design Engineer focuses on creating and testing mechanical components. Both roles require similar technical skills and work in related environments, but the senior position involves more oversight and strategic input.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Michigan are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Design Engineer jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Design Engineer jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Senior Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Senior Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Design Engineer job openings in Michigan as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,869 per year, or $50.9 per hour.

Senior Design Release Engineer

Troy, MI โ€ข On-site

Magna
Investment Clubs and Venture Capital Companiesย โ€ขย 11 - 50 employees

$38.25 - $43.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Job descriptions may display in multiple languages based on your language selection.
What we offer:
At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.
Group Summary:
As an engineering and manufacturing partner, Magna's Complete Vehicle group helps traditional OEMs and new entrants to bring their automotive visions to life. At Magna, you will work in an innovative, international and dynamic team, always pursuing the goal of delivering high-quality products. We work in a diverse environment with global development opportunities. Together with our employees we constantly strive to create a better world of mobility.
Job Responsibilities:
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Senior Design & Release Engineer leads the design, development, validation, release, and launch support of Body in White structures and vehicle integration components for complete vehicle and autonomous mobility platforms. The position owns assigned systems from concept and architecture development through prototype builds, production release, validation, and launch readiness.
This role combines deep BODY EXTERIOR engineering knowledge with disciplined component ownership. The engineer works closely with Program Management, CATIA, CAE, PLM, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, suppliers, and OEM customers to deliver robust solutions that meet performance, cost, timing, regulatory, manufacturability, serviceability, weight, and quality requirements.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Leadership & Product Development
  • Lead development of BODY EXTERIOR and vehicle integration systems, including body structures, Body Exterior interfaces, mounting systems, sensor hardware, thermal integration components, packaging systems, and exterior interfaces.
  • Develop and evaluate engineering concepts using structured problem solving, set-based engineering, and DFM/DFA principles.
  • Create, review, and release CATIA models, drawings, specifications, tolerance analyses, and technical documentation.
  • Ensure designs meet performance, durability, quality, manufacturability, serviceability, environmental, and production requirements.
  • Lead benchmarking, advanced development, and continuous improvement activities.
  • Provide technical leadership and support key engineering decisions across cross-functional teams.

Design Release & Configuration Management
  • Own component and assembly release activities within PLM systems and maintain configuration integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Manage BOMs, engineering changes (ECR/ECN), release documentation, and product configurations.
  • Release CATIA, CAE, drawings, specifications, and production data packages to approved systems.
  • Lead release readiness reviews and communicate design status, risks, open issues, and recovery plans.

Project Planning, Targets & Reporting
  • Support achievement of program targets for cost, timing, quality, weight, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.
  • Contribute to resource planning, budgets, milestones, work packages, and program reporting.
  • Coordinate external engineering resources and third-party deliverables.
  • Identify and escalate technical, cost, resource, or timing risks with recommended corrective actions.

Supplier & Manufacturing Collaboration
  • Partner with suppliers on technical reviews, DFM/DFA assessments, material selection, tooling concepts, design optimization, and production readiness.
  • Collaborate with Advanced Manufacturing and plant teams to ensure production feasibility and resolve build concerns.
  • Support manufacturing process reviews, APQP, PPAP, supplier issue resolution, and corrective action activities.
  • Work with vehicle integration and design teams to ensure packaging, appearance, and product intent requirements are met.

Validation, Quality & Risk Management
  • Develop and maintain DVP&R documentation and validation strategies for assigned systems.
  • Coordinate component, subsystem, and vehicle testing activities and resolve issues through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
  • Lead or support DFMEA development, risk reduction, lessons learned, and design improvement efforts.
  • Prepare and approve validation reports, deviation documentation, and issue-Body Exterior records.
  • Drive improvements in quality, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and engineering efficiency.

Prototype, Vehicle Build & Launch Support
  • Support prototype, pilot, and production of vehicle builds as the engineering owner for assigned systems.
  • Investigate build issues, manage engineering changes, and coordinate issue resolution activities.
  • Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, suppliers, and customers to achieve launch readiness.
  • Support vehicles launch activities and confirm release, validation, and manufacturing readiness requirements are met.

Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration
  • Lead technical reviews, milestone meetings, design discussions, and customer presentations.
  • Collaborate across Program Management, CATIA, CAE, PLM, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, and Vehicle Integration teams.
  • Promote knowledge sharing and provide technical guidance to engineers, designers, suppliers, and external resources.

YOUR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or related engineering discipline; master's degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of automotive body engineering, BODY EXTERIOR development, vehicle integration, or closely related product development experience.
  • Demonstrated experience designing, validating, and releasing mechanical, structural, or vehicle integration components and assemblies.
  • Experience in complete vehicle development, manufacturing, prototype builds, production launch, and supplier collaboration.
  • Experience working with global engineering teams and communicating with OEM customers and suppliers.
  • Experience supervising or technically leading engineering personnel preferred.
  • Autonomous vehicle, ADAS, electric vehicle, or mobility program experience preferred.

Technical Skills & Knowledge
  • CATIA V5 or CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE; working knowledge of CATIA and CAE simulation methods.
  • Enovia or equivalent PLM system, including BOM management, product release, configuration control, and engineering change management.
  • Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, tolerance stack-up analysis, DFM/DFA, DFMEA, root cause analysis, and structured problem solving.
  • Automotive validation methods, PPAP, APQP, prototype manufacturing, and production launch support.
  • BODY EXTERIOR materials and processes, including plastic injection moldings, castings, hydroforming, transfer/deep draw/progressive dies, extrusions, composites, Sheet Molding Compound, Resin Transfer Molding, and castings.
  • Joining and finishing processes, bonding and adhesive selection, threaded/riveted/clip fastening, Class A painting, and corrosion protection.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project; Six Sigma certification preferred.
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Cross-functional teamwork, supplier management, and customer-facing professionalism
  • Flexibility, priority alignment, attention to detail, and a positive can-do approach
Awareness, Unity, Empowerment:
At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That's why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.
AI-Assisted Screening Disclosure
As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.
Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to request an explanation of how AI is used to support decision-making.
If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.
Worker Type:
Regular / Permanent
Group:
Magna Steyr