Altair Engineering

Transforming the Future with Convergence of Simulation and Data

Design Release Engineer - Intermediate

Job Summary:

Our client in Auburn Hills, MI is looking for a Design Release Engineer - Intermediate. This is a contract position.

What You Will Do:

The Design Release Engineer for powertrain sealing components/systems is responsible for the design, development, and technical leadership in the creation, validation, and release of sealing components/systems for vehicles. The role involves driving the design through all phases of the product lifecycle, including design concept, engineering validation, and production release through PPAP (Production Part Approval Process).

Responsibilities Include but not limited to:

• Design & Development:
  • Lead the design of sealing components, ensuring alignment with vehicle and powertrain requirements.
  • Develop and refine concepts for various sealing components, such as O-rings, PIP gaskets, rear seal retainers, etc… based on functional, safety, and performance requirements.
  • Support CAD modeling, FEA (Finite Element Analysis), and other design validation methods to ensure sealing integrity and compliance with standards.
  • Collaborate with other engineering teams (electrical, thermal, packaging) to integrate sealing components into the overall powertrain architecture.
• Release & Program Management:
  • Manage design release activities from early concept through production, including the timely completion of B-Sample, C-Sample, X0, X1, X2, and X3 milestones.
  • Own the Bill of Materials (BOM) and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) for powertrain sealing components.
  • Ensure all parts meet quality, cost, and timing requirements.
  • Drive the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for powertrain sealing components, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and customer specifications.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, suppliers, and quality, to ensure the successful release and implementation of designs.
• Technical Guidance & Problem Solving:
  • Provide technical leadership and support during the development and production stages to resolve design issues, material selection challenges, and process-related problems.
  • Lead DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and other risk assessment activities to ensure design robustness and mitigate potential issues.
  • Participate in the development of testing strategies for powertrain sealing components.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Work closely with suppliers to ensure design feasibility, cost competitiveness, and manufacturability of powertrain sealing components.
  • Collaborate with validation teams to define and implement validation testing, ensuring powertrain sealing components meet functional and performance metrics.
  • Partner with vehicle integration teams to ensure proper fitment, safety, and integration of powertrain sealing components into the overall vehicle platform.
• Documentation & Reporting:
  • Develop and maintain engineering documentation, including design specifications, drawings, test plans, and validation reports.
  • Ensure that all technical documentation is up-to-date and aligns with program timelines and PPAP requirements.
  • Report on project status, timelines, and risk assessments to senior management and stakeholders.

Basics:

• Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited school or equivalent.
• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience working with various sealing components and systems.
• Understanding of sealing components and related manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of product development documentation such as, DFMEA and DVP&R.
• Understanding of Mechanics of Materials, Sealing systems, CAE Analysis, and GD&T.
• Experience in selecting materials and manufacturing methods for sealing components.
• Ability to author system/component level requirements.
• Strong interpersonal communication, team/leadership skills/experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong project management skills/experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding of product development documentation such as, DFMEA and DVP&R.
• Experience in selecting materials and manufacturing methods for sealing components.
• Onsite position. Would likely be 3 days a week minimum, but would need to be able to be onsite 100% if needed.
• Driving of a vehicle required.
• Some travelling will be reuired. Limited Travel, but may be required to travel to assembly plants and/or supplier plants. Domestic/International (mainly US, Canada, Mexico).

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering from ABET accredited school or equivalent.
• Working experience in creation and execution of validation plans.
• Critical character traits to ensure success: Action Oriented, Dealing with Ambiguity, Customer Focus, Problem Solving.
• Working experience with 3D cad programs, preferably Siemens NX.
• 5+ years of relevant experience working with design and manufacturing of sealing or related components.

How You Will Be Successful:

• Envision the Future
• Communicate Honestly and Broadly
• Seek Technology and Business “First”
• Embrace Diversity and Take Risks

What We Offer:

• Competitive Salary
• Comprehensive Benefit Package
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discounts
• Free training on all Altair products

Why Work with Us:

Altair is a global technology company providing software and cloud solutions in the areas of data analytics, product development, and high-performance computing (HPC). Altair enables organizations in nearly every industry to compete more effectively in a connected world, while creating a more sustainable future. With more than 3,000 engineers, scientists, and creative thinkers in 25 countries, we help solve our customer’s toughest challenges and deliver unparalleled service, helping the innovators innovate, drive better decisions, and turn today’s problems into tomorrow’s opportunities.

Our vision is to transform customer decision making with data analytics, simulation, and high-performance computing.

For more than 30 years, we have been helping our customers integrate electronics and controls with mechanical design to expand product value, develop AI, simulation and data-driven digital twins to drive better decisions, and deliver advanced HPC and cloud solutions to support unlimited idea exploration. To learn more, please visit altair.com

Ready to go? #ONLYFORWARD

At our core we are explorers; adventures; pioneers. We are the brains behind some of the world’s most revolutionary innovations and are not only comfortable in new and unchartered waters, we dive headfirst. We are the original trailblazers that make the impossible possible, discovering new solutions to our customer’s toughest challenges.

Altair is an equal opportunity employer. Our backgrounds are diverse, and every member of our global team is critical to our success. Altair’s history demonstrations a belief that empowering each individual authentic voice reinforces a culture that thrives because of the uniqueness among our team.

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