Principal Chassis Engineer -Suspension/Steering
1 day ago
Royal Leamington Spa
Our client, a leading consultancy in the automotive sector, is currently seeking a Principal Systems Engineer - Suspension/Steering to join their team in Leamington Spa on a contract basis. • Serve as the technical authority in suspension design and development for assigned projects., • Own and be responsible for engineering content, quality, and solutions., • Ensure design integrity, compliance with standards, and alignment with customer requirements., • Lead the technical planning and execution of suspension engineering tasks from concept to production., • Translate customer needs into actionable engineering deliverables., • Manage technical risks and resolve issues proactively., • Conduct and supervise experimental investigations, including data analysis and reporting., • Prepare project reports, including cost and timing estimates and technical specifications., • Identify and coordinate with external suppliers., • Coordinate with internal teams (design, validation, manufacturing) and external stakeholders (suppliers, clients)., • Facilitate effective communication across disciplines to ensure alignment and progress., • Represent the chassis engineering team in customer meetings, technical reviews, and programme updates., • Apply engineering theory to address complex problems with practical solutions., • Promote continuous improvement in design, validation, and integration processes., • Foster and implement innovative approaches to meet evolving technical challenges., • Guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence., • Provide technical sign-off and mentorship on chassis design reviews, validation plans, and documentation., • Promote knowledge sharing and professional development within the team., • Ensure all designs comply with regulatory, safety, and customer-required standards., • Review product designs for adherence to legislative and engineering standards as required., • Supervise engineering documentation, including reports, BOMs, FMEAs, DVP&Rs, and test specifications., • Uphold high standards of quality assurance throughout the product lifecycle., • Deliver excellent customer service by understanding and anticipating client needs., • Act as a trusted technical advisor, building long-term relationships through reliability and performance., • Ensure all deliverables meet or surpass customer expectations in quality, timing, and budget., • Experience in vehicle suspension design, development, and integration., • Strong understanding of suspension and steering design and vehicle engineering., • Experience with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, Pro/E, AutoCAD), GD&T, FMEA, DVP&R, and engineering documentation., • Proficiency in managing systems from concept through production release and commissioning., • Familiarity with data acquisition software, systems requirements tools, and the Microsoft Office Suite., • Experience developing robust Development and Validation plans and executing them., • Familiar with DFMEA, 8D, and fault tree approaches., • Ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage timelines, budgets, and deliverables., • Confidence and competence to approve technical solutions and guide engineering direction., • Experience managing external vendors and internal teams to meet technical and commercial goals., • Understanding of project financial targets, cost estimation, and budget management., • Ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences, including clients and executives., • Experience mentoring junior engineers and promoting a collaborative team environment., • Strong focus on understanding and meeting client expectations., • Knowledge of suspension and steering design, geometry, and performance fundamentals., • Experience with different suspension types (Double wishbone, MacPherson strut, multi-link)., • Understanding of vehicle dynamics fundamentals, theory, and application/testing., • Experience with heavy-duty on and off-highway vehicles., • Knowledge of automotive system design and development processes., • Understanding of braking, wheels and tyres, traction control, and active steering and damping systems., • Familiarity with supporting simulation tools such as ADAMS, FEA., • Experience with suspension rig testing (e.g. K&C), vehicle dynamics testing., • Experience with requirements management software and systems modelling., • Proficiency with DFMEA, DOE, 8D problem-solving, and validation testing strategies., • Knowledge of agile and lean engineering practices., • Strategic thinking with the ability to align technical decisions with business goals., • Adaptability in a fast-paced, matrixed organisation., • An innovative mindset with a willingness to challenge norms., • Bachelor's degree in engineering; Master's degree preferred., • Experience in design, validation, manufacturing, and product release of vehicle systems., • Experience with commercial vehicle and off-highway is a plus., • Beneficial experience in general vehicle integration (including powertrain, electrified systems)., • Proven experience in planning and coordinating design and/or production validation testing., • Skill in developing engineering test specifications and analysing test data., • Strong problem-solving skills utilising Design of Experiments (DOE), 8D, etc. If you are an experienced Principal Systems Engineer with a focus on suspension and steering, we would love to hear from you. #J-18808-Ljbffr