Automotive Lead Engineer – Exterior Systems
7 days ago
Crewe
Location: Crewe, United Kingdom Work Model: Full-time, fully on-site Expected Start: Q4 2026 Initial Contract Duration: 3 years, with possible extension Language: English - C1 level or higher Travel: Occasional business travel may be required HIto Solutions is looking for experienced Automotive Lead Engineers specialising in Exterior Systems, Body Hardware, Seals and Sealing to support a long-term automotive engineering programme in Crewe. The successful candidate will take ownership of an assigned technical perimeter and coordinate supporting engineering resources, with a strong focus on Current Model Production, series-production issue resolution and engineering change implementation. • Take responsibility for the assigned technical perimeter and coordinate supporting engineering resources., • Manage Current Model Production issues from root-cause agreement through to final implementation., • Develop technically feasible containment and permanent series-production solutions., • Coordinate engineering changes, design feasibility, validation and release activities., • Prepare and manage complete 2D drawings and 3D CAD information., • Identify packaging constraints, interface impacts, technical hard points and additional analysis requirements., • Define test and validation plans for engineering changes and customer-protection measures., • Review Design and Process FMEAs and identify additional testing requirements., • Coordinate prototype builds, physical models, component testing and vehicle line trials., • Ensure technical solutions meet applicable legislative, quality, safety and homologation requirements., • Manage formal engineering releases and product-data and Bill of Material updates., • Coordinate activities with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Logistics, Finance, Certification and suppliers., • Lead weekly technical meetings and provide regular status and timing updates., • Present issue-resolution proposals and engineering changes to cross-functional stakeholders., • Maintain timing plans, open-point lists, tracking lists and cost status., • Obtain preliminary cost, investment and implementation timing from suppliers., • Support issue escalation and present complex technical solutions to senior management when required. Specific experience should include: • Exterior trim and body hardware, • Seals and sealing management, • Interfaces with Body-in-White and interior trim, • Design feasibility and manufacturing implementation, • Water management and sealing performance, • Validation of exterior components and production-line trials, • Minimum 4-5 years of relevant automotive engineering experience., • Strong technical knowledge of exterior systems, body hardware, seals and sealing., • Proven experience in Current Model Production and series-production issue resolution., • Experience with engineering change management, containment, validation and release processes., • Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and external suppliers., • Strong project-management, communication and reporting skills., • Knowledge of CATIA/LCA and relevant automotive PDM, BoM and change-management systems., • Fluent English at C1 level or higher. Previous experience working on Bentley projects or within the Bentley organisation would be considered a significant advantage. Knowledge of systems such as Teamcenter, KVS, AVON, KPM, TI-REX/TI-Syncro, BCTS/JIRA or equivalent automotive OEM systems would be particularly relevant. The position is fully on-site in Crewe. Candidates must already reside in the UK and be available for full-time on-site work. #J-18808-Ljbffr