Product Engineer - Hoods & Fenders

Position: Product Engineer I - Hoods & Fenders
Tasks

Inside the Role

Product Engineering is all about building extraordinary products that captivate our customers and deliver real value. We thrive on innovation, pursue exceptional quality, and bring ideas to life on time and within budget. Our passion for the product drives everything we do.

We actively seek out customer feedback-celebrating the praise and embracing the tough critiques-because every insight helps us grow. We support one another, treat each other with respect, and create an environment where everyone can do their best work. We never stop learning. As a team of continuous improvers, we push ourselves to raise the bar, refine the details, and deliver products that exceed expectations.

Our success is powered by creativity, craftsmanship, and a relentless commitment to our customers. We take pride in what we build-and we make sure to have fun along the way!

This position is part of the Vehicle Exterior - Hoods & Fenders Team within Product Engineering. The team is responsible for the design, development, validation, and launch of exterior components that are highly visible to our customers and critical to vehicle safety, durability, serviceability, and brand identity. Our components span a range of materials and manufacturing technologies, including fiber-reinforced composite structures, injection-molded and blow-molded plastic parts, and cast and stamped metal components.

These components include hood outer panels, inner reinforcements, hood mounting and tilt assist systems, hood latches, fenders, and splash shields used across Freightliner and Western Star vehicles.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Position offers a starting salary range of $71,000.00 - $91,000.00 USD

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience

Benefits include annual bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans.

What You'll Drive at DTNA

* Concept, develop, and release best-in-class hood, fender, and related exterior components with a strong awareness of overall vehicle integration and packaging.

* Apply sound engineering principles to deliver safe, reliable, serviceable, cost-effective designs across composite, plastic, and metal structures.

* Create and maintain 3D models, drawings, and GD&T using NX and related tools.

* Partner with Product Design, Manufacturing, Validation, Purchasing, Quality, and suppliers to deliver robust, production-ready components.

* Select materials and manufacturing processes (fiber-reinforced plastics, injection/blow molding, castings, stampings) appropriate to performance, cost, and quality targets.

* Support manufacturing plants, resolve validation and build issues, and implement effective countermeasures.

* Manage multiple projects concurrently and deliver releases on time and within budget while communicating risks and status clearly.

* Continuously improve product cost, quality, tools, and processes while staying current with industry developments.

Knowledge You Should Bring

* Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

* Experience using CAD tools (preferably NX), including surface-based modeling and engineering drawing creation.

* Solid understanding of upstream and downstream engineering processes, from concept through manufacturing support.

* Ability to collaborate across functions and suppliers to resolve competing requirements and deliver robust design solutions.

* Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present technical…