DRE Wheels and Tires
Listed on 2026-11-04
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Engineering
Quality Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Manufacturing Engineer, Product Engineer
The Wheels & Tires Design Release Engineer (DRE) is responsible for the component- and system-level design, release, functional performance, and delivery of steel wheels, aluminum wheels, tires, wheel trim, fasteners/bolts, and complete wheel-and-tire assemblies. The engineer works with cross-functional groups, the Product Design Studio, tire and wheel suppliers, purchasing, vehicle dynamics, quality, and assembly plants to bring products from initial concept through production launch.
Key Responsibilities Component Design & DevelopmentPackaging & Release: Lead the design, packaging, and release of wheels (aluminum/steel), wheel trim, tires, and wheel fasteners.
Functional Alignment: Establish component and system functional objectives, fit, form, and function in coordination with the vehicle team and Product Design Studio.
Industry Standards: Apply industry design guidelines (e.g., ETRTO, T&RA, SAE) for tire and wheel sizing and homologation.
Sourcing & Selection: Create source packages and work with Purchasing to evaluate and source suppliers.
Supplier Readiness: Evaluate supplier technical readiness, review tooling development, and track program KPIs (cost, weight, quality, timing).
On-Site Audits: Visit supplier plants for process reviews, sample preparation (T0, VP samples), testing verification, and production line readiness.
Quality Documentation: Create and manage DVP&R (Design Verification Plan & Report) and DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis).
Performance Targets: Manage tire/wheel functional performance to targets (handling, NVH, durability, fatigue life, rolling resistance, and stiffness).
Simulation & Innovation: Guide CAE teams for fatigue load cases, structural analysis, and manufacturing process simulations (casting/mold flow, sheet metal forming).
Benchmarking: Manage investigations for competitive benchmarking and tire/wheel technology innovations.
Plant & Launch Support: Support engineering test builds, prototype builds, and assembly plant launch activities.
Supplier Quality Integration: Work closely with Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) to review PFMEAs, Control Plans, and PPAP submissions.
Root-Cause Analysis: Address plant build concerns, early field warranty issues, and root-cause analysis using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, Shainin, DFSS).
Cost Optimization: Drive Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) and cost optimization initiatives.
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