Sr. Design Engineer

Senior Design Engineer

Our Senior Design Engineer is responsible for leading program level designs and prototype fabrications for Aftermarket and OE automotive design solutions. They will utilize standard structural analyses and modeling to develop innovative solutions to customer program requirements and needs. The Senior Design Engineer is also responsible for the management and execution of design programs within the engineering department, including program schedule management, budget management, overall scope, and execution.

They also work with and mentor design engineers to ensure program design activities, goals, and targets are completed on time, on budget, and are successful. Key emphasis is the ability to lead a fast‑paced project team to bring towing solutions from concept through prototyping/production for customers in the automotive industry.

• Lead engineer on design programs within the department; responsible for program/project management (schedule, budget, action items) and reporting
• Conceptual and detailed designs of automotive towing components and assemblies
• Perform and review detailed finite element structural analysis of towing and metallic components and assemblies to investigate performance to customer requirements
• Perform and present gated design reviews with internal staff and customers at specific times in the design lifecycle of a project
• Generate solid and surface component and assembly CAD models
• Create drawings of products using CAD
• Develop innovative solutions to customer requirements for towing component designs
• Work as part of a team of design and manufacturing engineering staff to bring designs from concept through prototyping and into production
• Develop new and improve existing engineering products and processes
• Research new product ideas and methods
• Ensure compliance with the industry’s safety standards and requirements
• Maintain accurate records
• Ensure products are user and environment friendly
• Write detailed reports, work instructions and SOPs
• Present prototypes and designs to project managers and customers
• Utilize knowledge of engineering practices, mathematics, strengths of material and other physical science
• Have a good working knowledge of various machines and production equipment
• Create DXF files for use on CNC equipment
• Communicate with cross‑functional teams, working closely with Product Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality and Operations

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a similar field with appropriate experience
• Previous experience as a Design Engineer or a similar role (preferred)
• Proficient in Autodesk Inventor / Solid Works; CATIA V5 is a plus
• All Microsoft Office software including Project
• 3D printer experience is a plus
• 3D laser scanning / CMM experience is a plus (FARO)
• Good understanding of safety standards and environmental impact of a design
• Ability to present in front of stakeholders and managers
• Great computational and spatial ability to solve complex problems
• Excellent oral and written communication; ability to maintain a professional and pleasant demeanor
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work on projects demanding fast prototype/production startups
• Ability to work with vendors, customers and employees
• Experience leading high performance teams in a fast‑paced environment

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and 5 years’ experience or a similar field with appropriate experience
• Previous experience in the automotive industry with towing or hitch experience
• Experience working with OE customers
• Experience in global organization
• Lateral thinker
• Injection molding
• Design / Development
• FEA
• GD&T / Tol. stack up
• DFM / DFA
• Materials
• Supply chain contacts a plus
• Castings a plus
• Automotive experience a plus

• Occasional travel to other design and manufacturing facilities
• Occasional travel to trade shows / seminars
• Occasional travel for customer visits

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

At Lippert, everyone matters. We have intentionally created a culture that values and celebrates our team members’ unique and varied…