Sustaining Design Engineer: CAD Liaison & Production Launch

Sustaining Design Engineer

This position may require access to export-controlled information. In accordance with U.S. export control laws, candidates must qualify as a “U.S. Person” as defined by ITAR and/or EAR regulations.

Position Summary

The Sustaining Design Engineer is responsible for leading product and process changes driven by customer requests and internal improvement initiatives. This role serves as the primary technical liaison between Cel Link’s engineering teams and key customers, ensuring that design modifications—such as layout revisions or material/component substitutions—are accurately translated into CAD, implemented seamlessly on the manufacturing line, and validated through internal testing.

This is a high-impact, hands-on role that operates at the intersection of product engineering, manufacturing, and customer engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Customer Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a primary engineering point of contact for customer-requested product changes (e.g., layout, material, component updates).
• Perform and support customer and internal drawing releases.
• Work closely with customers and internal teams to ensure strong communication and seamless product launches.
• Lead design review and DFMEA meetings, participate in PFMEA meetings, to incorporate lessons learned and best practices
• Support validation testing to complete bench and vehicle-level durability evaluations.(e.g., USCAR, LV214, GMW
  3191)

Design & Engineering Development

• 3D CAD modeling capability (CATIA V5, Solid Works, or UG)
• Design components for Cel Link's proprietary manufacturing processes, as well as injection-molded and stamped components.
• Mature design projects from prototype build phases to production and launch.
• Lead post-launch design change projects and continuous improvement exercises.
• Apply knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering principles to product development and management.
• Efficiently utilize rapid prototyping methods to demonstrate proof of concepts

Pre-Production Design Release and Post-Release Management

• Troubleshoot, root cause, and document design issues; drive resolution through structured problem-solving.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering and suppliers to ensure launch readiness for critical components.
• Follow APQP processes for project documentation and launch readiness

Validation/ Engineering Development

• Create test plans, design validation testing, and conduct product validation testing.
• Support customer testing and validation activities as needed.
• Document all test results.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related fields.
• 2+ years of product design and release experience

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Experience with 3D CAD systems, Solid Works preferred.
• Experience with product development of High Voltage / Low Voltage automotive connection systems
• Good working knowledge of automotive and industry standards – MILSPEC, USCAR, ISO, etc.
• Experience working in one of the following industries in a product development/design release role:
  Automotive, Defense/Aerospace, Industrial
• Experience to support product development/manufacture during DV/PV/SOP phases.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with various internal and external teams.
• Proficient in GD&T and stackup analysis, with the capability to read and understand engineering specs sheets and drawings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, desire to work with customers to ensure positive outcomes.
• A results-driven, enthusiastic, and eager personality is highly desired!

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Working Conditions/Hours

• Able/willing to travel as needed.
• Available/willing to work overtime to meet project commitments, as required.

Physical Demands – Office

This position requires the ability to communicate effectively. The employee is often required to sit…