Design Release Engineer –(BIW

Design Release Engineer – Body in White (BIW)

• Location: Hybrid (Witney, Oxfordshire / Remote with travel to customer sites as required)
• Rate: Up to £35/hour (Umbrella)
• Contract Term: Contract / Temporary

We are seeking a highly motivated, proactive Design Release Engineer (DRE) – Body in White to join our fast-paced Engineering Europe division. In this role, you will own the engineering definition, CAD release, change management, and delivery of BIW components and assemblies across our global electric vehicle platforms.

Spanning the entire lifecycle from early concept to volume production, you will collaborate closely with CAE, Manufacturing, Quality, and external suppliers. This is a brilliant opportunity to interface with cross-functional teams across the UK, Europe, and China, contributing directly to the delivery of world-class vehicle structures.

• Data & Release Management: Drive the engineering definition and timely release of BIW assemblies and parts throughout the vehicle development cycle.
• CAD Quality & BOM Control: Own CAD data quality, modeling maturity, 2D/3D creation, and drawing releases within the PLM system, ensuring strict adherence to GD&T and BOM structures.
• Configuration & Change Control: Direct part numbering, manage release statuses, and coordinate Engineering Change Requests (ECR) and Engineering Change Notices (ECN).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with CAE teams to align designs with crash, durability, stiffness, and NVH requirements.
• Supplier & Manufacturing Alignment: Lead technical reviews with suppliers, support packaging/tolerance studies, and assist with prototype builds, issue resolution, and final production launch activities.
• Optimization & Standards: Push for weight, cost, and quality optimization while maintaining detailed DFMEA inputs and design documentation.

• Automotive
  
  Experience:
  
  3 to 5+ years of dedicated experience in automotive Body in White (BIW) engineering.
• Design Release Expertise: Robust understanding of design release processes, quality protocols, and automotive product development cycles.
• Stakeholder Management: Experience working with global OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers, backed by top-tier communication and problem-solving skills.
• Global Mindset: Self-motivated, comfortable working independently, and highly collaborative within multicultural teams (with a willingness to travel if required).
• Familiarity working alongside Chinese automotive OEMs.
• Hands-on knowledge of steel and aluminium BIW structures, as well as joining technologies (spot/laser welding, riveting, structural adhesives).
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, GD&T, and DFMEA processes.
• Software proficiency with CAD systems (such as CATIA V6
  ) and PLM environments (such as 3DX / Enovia
  ).

• Adaptable, enthusiastic, and highly organized with a keen eye for detail.
• Commercially driven with a strong customer-first perspective.
• Natural relationship-builder who thrives in diverse, international environments.

• The chance to shape cutting-edge, next-generation global EV programs.
• Flexible, hybrid working models designed for modern work-life balance.
• Direct exposure to pioneering, high-profile international automotive projects.
• A supportive, forward-thinking, and collaborative global engineering culture.