Product Engineer

Job Title:

Product Engineer

Job Description

The Product Engineer leads the engineering execution of assigned programs from concept through launch, ensuring technical excellence in design, validation, and manufacturability. This role owns the full scope of engineering deliverables, drives continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle, and collaborates closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and customer teams. The Product Engineer serves as the primary technical point of contact, balancing customer requirements with feasibility and cost while supporting robust, manufacturable, and cost-effective solutions.

Responsibilities

* Serve as the engineering lead for assigned programs and remain accountable for all product development engineering responsibilities from concept through launch.

* Lead weekly CAD design reviews, manage open issue decks, and assign clear ownership and deadlines for all action items.

* Provide direction and feedback to designers to ensure alignment with internal engineering guidelines and customer expectations.

* Follow the Component Design Review (CDR) process from CDR1 through CDR3 and ensure all required documentation and approvals are complete.

* Prepare CAD files for OKTT-level review and ensure they are fully ready for release.

* Develop and execute Design Validation Plans (DVPs), ensuring 100% test completion and passing results by Gate 4.

* Apply GD&T and dimensional management principles to meet required Cpk targets by Gate 4 in accordance with customer-specific requirements.

* Perform CAD analysis, including sectioning and measurements, to validate design integrity and manufacturability.

* Utilize surrogate data to challenge and refine customer targets when appropriate, supporting data-driven decision-making.

* Minimize unplanned changes by performing thorough upfront engineering and proactive risk mitigation.

* Lead root cause analysis using structured methods such as 5-Why and Fishbone diagrams to resolve technical issues effectively.

* Resolve ITS issues in a timely manner and ensure closure of high-level concerns with clear documentation.

* Capture lessons learned from programs and integrate them into future designs, processes, and standards.

* Lead technical discussions with OEM and Tier 1 customers, representing the engineering function and product capability.

* Balance customer requirements with technical feasibility, timing, and cost considerations to achieve optimal solutions.

* Advance strategic customer relationships by demonstrating engineering value, responsiveness, and problem-solving capability.

* Promote value engineering during the design phase and throughout the CDR process to enhance performance and reduce cost.

* Identify and pursue opportunities for improvement beyond standard deliverables, including design, process, and validation enhancements.

* Support the development of robust, manufacturable, and cost-effective solutions for automotive injection molded plastic components.

Essential Skills

* Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or a related technical field.

* Minimum 3-5 years of experience in product development within automotive injection molded plastics, including interior or exterior parts such as grilles, fascia, bumpers, or spoilers.

* Experience with at least one cradle-to-grave program, including design verification through launch.

* Proficiency in UG or Catia CAD tools for performing design analysis, including sectioning and measurements.

* Strong understanding of GD&T and OEM validation standards.

* Demonstrated experience in product engineering for automotive applications, particularly injection molded plastics.

* Skilled in root cause analysis techniques such as 5-Why and Fishbone.

* Ability to lead cross-functional discussions with internal teams and external customers.

* Experience utilizing Teamcenter for product data and lifecycle management.

* Ability to develop and execute Design Validation Plans (DVPs) and ensure successful completion of validation testing.

* Experience conducting design reviews and managing engineering issues through resolution.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

* Chrome plating experience or a…