Design Engineer 5
hace 5 días
Southfield
Job DescriptionJob Title: Design Engineer / Senior Engineer – Interiors Job Description This role focuses on designing and delivering world-class automotive interior components and systems that set new standards in luxury, craftsmanship, performance, safety, ergonomics, and functionality. You will lead the development of interior systems from concept through production launch, working closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers to ensure technical excellence, timely delivery, and alignment with overall vehicle objectives. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative electric vehicles in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment with strong support for professional development. Responsibilities • Lead the design and development of interior components and systems such as hard trim, soft trim, instrument panels, door trims, consoles, and headliners from concept through production launch., • Contribute significantly to a world-class interior components and systems engineering team by delivering high-quality, technically robust designs., • Create industry-leading interior solutions that emphasize luxury, craftsmanship, performance, safety, ergonomics, and functionality., • Own the packaging, engineering, release, and launch activities for interior components and systems across the vehicle portfolio., • Work collaboratively with cross-functional marketing, design, and vehicle engineering teams, consistently prioritizing overall vehicle benefit over individual system optimization., • Collaborate closely with interior trim suppliers to ensure technical feasibility, manufacturability, and on-time delivery of interior components and systems., • Develop and maintain technical product specifications, timelines, and documentation to support accelerated development toward start of production., • Use CAD tools to create 2D and 3D concept drawings, packaging layouts, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) studies for interior systems., • Apply knowledge of plastic injection molding, forming, lamination, and compression processes to develop robust, manufacturable part designs., • Support vehicle and product launch activities, ensuring that interior systems meet quality, performance, and craftsmanship targets., • Employ and refine effective engineering tools, methods, and innovative approaches to improve product development efficiency and quality., • Ensure designs comply with relevant safety, ergonomics, and homologation requirements for vehicle interior systems., • Coordinate with project management to support full product life cycle activities, including design, validation, release, and launch., • Contribute to benchmarking efforts by understanding industry trends, competitor solutions, and supplier capabilities for automotive interiors., • Communicate clearly and effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners to resolve technical issues and maintain alignment on design intent., • Demonstrate a practical, hands-on approach to problem solving that complements strong theoretical and analytical capabilities.Essential Skills, • Minimum 4 years of experience as a detail-oriented interior components and systems development lead, including responsibility for elements such as hard trim, soft trim, instrument panels, door trims, consoles, and headliners., • Minimum 4 years of experience with automotive interior components and systems, including knowledge of industry benchmarks, trends, and supplier capabilities., • Minimum 4 years of experience creating, improving, or establishing technical product specifications and development timelines to support accelerated programs toward start of production., • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline., • Proficiency in CAD for 2D and 3D concept development, including interior components and systems, packaging layouts, and design-for-manufacturing studies (CATIA V5/V6 preferred)., • Experience with vehicle and product launch activities in an automotive environment., • Strong knowledge of plastic injection molding processes and associated design-for-manufacturing principles., • Working knowledge of forming, lamination, and compression processes for interior components., • Ability to function as a build-to-print design and release engineer, capable of developing parts from concept to production with an understanding of tooling requirements., • Competency in GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and application to interior component design., • Demonstrated ability to manage projects or significant workstreams within full product life cycles., • Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality engineering output.Additional Skills & Qualifications, • Experience completing at least one full program cycle from concept to production launch in automotive interior components and systems., • Profound knowledge of vehicle interior systems with a proven track record of technical excellence and successful program execution., • Strong understanding of plastic part design, structural performance, manufacturing technologies, craftsmanship, ergonomics, safety, and homologation requirements., • Competency in materials selection for interior applications, including plastics and related materials suitable for injection molding and other processes., • Flexibility and adaptability to succeed in a fast-paced startup-like environment., • A strong desire to create exceptional products as part of a highly capable, collaborative team., • A practical, hands-on approach that complements solid theoretical and analytical engineering knowledge., • Exceptional technical abilities paired with excellent verbal and written communication skills., • Familiarity with DFM principles for plastic injection molding and other interior manufacturing processes., • Experience working closely with suppliers on interior trim development and tooling considerations., • Interest in contributing to innovative electric vehicles and future vehicle programs.Work Environment The role is based 100% onsite in a modern engineering facility in Southfield, Michigan, with some flexibility based on performance. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, with no regular overtime expected. The environment is highly collaborative, bringing together engineering, design, and marketing teams focused on innovative electric vehicles and advanced interior systems. You will work extensively with CAD tools such as CATIA V5/V6 and leverage technologies related to plastic injection molding, forming, lamination, compression, and full vehicle product launches. The culture emphasizes impactful work, innovation, growth, and a strong sense of purpose around sustainable mobility. Teams operate with a startup mindset, valuing adaptability, problem solving, and continuous improvement. The organization supports professional development, offers competitive compensation and benefits, and promotes a positive, inclusive, and diverse community where cross-functional collaboration and shared success are central. Occasional travel may be required in the future, for example to suppliers or other engineering locations. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Southfield, MI. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $87.00 - $91.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision, • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital, • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available, • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents), • Short and long-term disability, • Health Spending Account (HSA), • Transportation benefits, • Employee Assistance Program About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
