Lead Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Product Engineer

Lead Engineer

The Lead Engineer drives value analysis and value engineering (VA/VE) initiatives across the full product lifecycle, from concept and design through prototyping, testing, and implementation. This role focuses on developing innovative, cost-effective vehicle conversion solutions while meeting quality, performance, and customer requirements. The Lead Engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to deliver robust designs that support business objectives and continuous improvement.

• Lead VA/VE projects from initial concept through design, prototyping, testing, and implementation to deliver cost-effective vehicle solutions.
• Identify and develop innovative ideas that enhance vehicle products while reducing overall cost without compromising quality or performance.
• Build and maintain a structured pipeline of cost reduction opportunities by organizing and participating in internal and external VA/VE events.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including portfolio, sales, quality, manufacturing engineering, customer experience, and purchasing, to create feasible designs and strong business cases.
• Utilize rapid prototyping methods to evaluate, refine, and validate concept designs before full-scale implementation.
• Coordinate with production and purchasing teams to implement cost-saving initiatives and ensure smooth integration into existing processes.
• Design and develop vehicle conversions using CAD tools, specifically Inventor, to produce detailed and accurate engineering models and drawings.
• Engineer mechanisms, suspensions, structures, and closures such as doors and liftgates to meet functional, durability, and safety requirements.
• Plan design, procurement, assembly, and validation activities in alignment with project timelines and APQP stage gates.
• Ensure all designs meet defined quality, cost, and performance targets and comply with internal standards and customer expectations.
• Lead initiatives focused on low-cost design alternatives, standardization of components, and design commonality across vehicle platforms.
• Continuously improve designs, engineering processes, and project timelines to enhance efficiency and product robustness.
• Participate in and contribute to design reviews to ensure all vehicle conversions meet engineering specifications and customer requirements.
• Apply dimensional management principles and GD&T to ensure manufacturable, repeatable, and high-quality designs.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in automotive design.
• Proficiency in designing and developing vehicle conversions using CAD, specifically Inventor.
• Strong knowledge of dimensional management and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience in mechanism design, including moving components and kinematic systems.
• Experience in steel and aluminum part design and related manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams such as engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales, and purchasing.
• Ability to lead VA/VE projects and drive cost reduction while maintaining or improving product performance.
• Strong planning skills to align design, procurement, assembly, and validation activities with project timelines and APQP stage gates.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement in designs and processes.
• Effective communication skills to present concepts, participate in design reviews, and collaborate with internal stakeholders.

• Previous assembly plant launch experience is preferred.
• Prior experience with VA/VE methodologies and events.
• Experience leading standardization and design commonality initiatives.
• Familiarity with automotive structures, suspensions, closures, and vehicle conversion engineering.
• Ability to develop business cases in partnership with cross-functional teams.
• Comfort with rapid prototyping techniques to quickly iterate and validate design concepts.

This role is based onsite, providing close interaction with engineering, production, and cross-functional teams. The onsite setting supports hands-on involvement with vehicle…