Material DRE Powertrain Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI, United States (On-site)

Contract (1 month 16 days)

Published 2 days ago

Powertrain Materials

cross - functional collaboration

Cost & Product Optimization

failure analysis

The Powertrain Materials Engineer provides materials engineering support for the design, development, validation, launch, and continuous improvement of powertrain components and systems. The role applies knowledge of metallic and non-metallic materials, manufacturing processes, failure analysis, and laboratory testing to resolve technical issues and help deliver reliable, cost-effective products. The engineer works closely with product engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and laboratory teams.

• Recommend and approve materials and processes for powertrain components
• Support material selection, specifications, drawings, design reviews, validation plans, and engineering change activities.
• Support root-cause investigations of material, process, durability, corrosion, wear, contamination, and field-performance concerns.
• Plan, coordinate, and interpret laboratory testing, including metallography, mechanical testing, chemical analysis, microscopy, hardness, surface characterization, and nondestructive evaluation.
• Work with manufacturing plants and suppliers to resolve quality and production issues using structured problem-solving methods.
• Assess supplier materials and processes for compliance with engineering requirements and support technical reviews, audits, and corrective actions.
• Document technical findings in concise reports and present recommendations to engineering and business stakeholders.
• Support cost, mass, quality, warranty, sustainability, and manufacturability improvements without compromising product performance.
• Maintain awareness of relevant industry standards, emerging materials, and powertrain manufacturing technologies.
• Manage multiple assignments, communicate risks, and deliver work in accordance with program timing.

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of three years of relevant materials, manufacturing, product development, quality, or failure-analysis experience.
• Working knowledge of material properties, specifications, manufacturing processes, and laboratory test methods.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test data, and technical standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues to cross-functional audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced engineering environment.
• Ability to travel occasionally to manufacturing, supplier, and test locations.

• Experience with internal-combustion, hybrid, transmission, driveline, or electrified powertrain components.
• Experience using structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis tools.
• Knowledge of heat treatment, casting, forging, machining, welding, brazing, surface treatment, coatings, tribology, corrosion, or polymer processing.
• Experience with automotive product-development systems, supplier quality processes, design validation, and production launch.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis, design of experiments, FMEA, 8D, and related quality tools.
• Knowledge of applicable ASTM, SAE, ISO, or company-specific material and test standards.
• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

The pay range that the employer in good faith reasonably expects to pay for this position is $20.34/hour - $31.78/hour. Our benefits include medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

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