Product Design Engineer

Candidate will be the design liaison between TRAM, customer and Japan HQ Design department assisting in negotiations of designs and ensuring customer expectations are met.

• Support internal and external Design Engineering departments:
  • Coordination amongst TRAM, TAC, TRJ and customer of adherence to customer wants/needs & strategy.
  • Scheduling & status reports.
  • Upcoming design announcements.
  • Development status (testing, problems, tooling).
  • Explanation of design, manufacturing, ECI, and ECR details.
  • Drawing approvals, changes or updates.
  • Review of all design processes.
  • Transportation of CAD and sample products.
  • Communicate expectations, milestones and testing needs.
  • Negotiate design direction within capabilities, allowing for variables to change.
• Estimate price, timing and feasibility of prototypes and sample parts for the customer.
• Perform problem solution activities:
  • Create counter‑measure ideas.
• Create Problem & Counter‑measure sheets, Schedule sheet and ECR.
• Participate in DR and DRBFM meetings.
• Participate in vehicle checks at customer location during both design and start of production phases:
  • Identify design flaws or issues at assembly plant.
  • Assist suppliers with any difficulties in meeting TRJ design expectations.
  • Resolve flaws/issues directly, or elevate to proper departments.
  • Investigate field issues and review appropriate counter‑measures with TRJ and customer.
  • Coordinate with TRAM Quality dept to ensure parts are still performing after leaving TR production site.
  • Provide evidence and data for warranty problems.
• Support TRAM departments (Sales, Quality, PM, etc.) on design process.
• Attend Product Development Team (PDT) meetings:
  • Lead all design explanation and inform on customer expectations.
  • Keep production site updated on upcoming ECI’s that require close monitoring (minimize financial losses).
  • Supply CAD, drawings, and reports of possible failures on new designs.
  • Observe and assist suppliers having difficulty meeting production expectations.
  • Help resolve design flaws or assembly difficulties with design change counter‑measures.
• Update TRAM departments on ECI implementation dates.
• Work with TRAM departments to be effective member of PDT.
• Supply assigned deliverables:
  • Get prototype orders of correct spec delivered to customer effectively.
  • Research on current pricing in order to provide accurate estimates.
  • Investigate returned parts, determine if there was a design or manufacturing issue.
• RFQ preparation, including creation of concept drawings.
• Prepare and perform presentation of materials to internal and external departments.
• Coordination with suppliers:
  • Investigate new local candidates.
  • Support with development, preparation and problem resolution/troubleshooting.
• Communicate design issues found with counter‑measure ideas to TRJ Design.

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management, Mechanical, Electrical or a related engineering field.
• 0 - 3 years of engineering experience preferred.
• Willingness / ability to travel to TRAM Group plant and customer sites.
• Strong communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Proficient with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• CATIA skills preferred.

TRAM, Inc. is a Japanese owned automotive parts supplier, serving the Japanese Transplants (Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, etc.) as well as the domestic OEMs (Ford and GM). Located in Plymouth, MI, TRAM, Inc. is a subsidiary company of Tokai‑Rika Co. LTD, which is located in Nagoya, Japan. TRAM was founded in 1986 and currently employs 2,500+ people at our 5 locations.

We manufacture automotive components such as switch‑related products (window regulators, headlights, cruise control, turn signals, multifunction and HVAC switches), security and safety‑related products (shift levers, steering wheels, steering locks, seat belts, key cylinders, mechanical and remote keys).

Shift your career into drive and help TRAM make the driving experience an intuitive connection between the human body and the vehicle.

TRAM, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For additional information about our companies, please see our web site at

• Not Applicable

• Full‑time

• Engineering and Information Technology
• Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage