Senior CAD Product Design Engineer, Automotive Exteriors

Job Description

Job Description

What a day looks like

Morning starts by opening NX or CATIA, reviewing overnight feedback, and translating stakeholder input into precise 3D models and production-ready drawings. You’ll guide a gated launch within Magna’s Product Delivery Process (PDP), run CAE studies (Moldflow, FEA, Warpage) to validate concepts, and lead or participate in design reviews to keep objectives, timelines, and costs on track.

By midday, you’re collaborating with Magna Exteriors’ Product and Manufacturing Engineering on Design for Manufacturing (DfM), running cost and stack-up analyses, and shaping patentable concepts. In the afternoon, you’ll push clean data releases, manage Change Requests (CR) and Change Notices (CN) in the Magna Change X tool, and support VA/VE opportunities or CI events. When needed, you head to the shop floor—or a customer site—to support prototype, pre-production, and production builds.

Role purpose

Design and release internal/external CAD data and drawings for new product launches at Magna Exteriors. Provide ongoing support for current production programs, including Customer-driven VA/VE investigations and Manufacturing-led continuous improvement (CI) initiatives.

Scope and levels

• Location: North America or Global
• Process: Product Delivery Process (PDP) – Gated Launch

DE2 — Design Engineer

• Program size/scale: Medium (2–4 programs simultaneously)
• Program complexity: Standard
• Responsibility: Leads programs

DE3 — Senior Design Engineer

• Program size/scale: Large (1–3 programs simultaneously)
• Program complexity: High complexity
• Responsibility: Mentors and trains others

Core responsibilities

• Create, modify, and finalize 3D models, layouts, and detailed drawings for prototypes and production using CAD.
• Generate all required documentation (drawings, renderings, reports) to company and customer standards; maintain accurate project records.
• Lead and coordinate design activities end-to-end; serve as a liaison with internal teams and external stakeholders; adjust designs per customer requests.
• Conduct cost studies and dimensional stack-ups; develop assembly drawings and product layouts; maintain drawing systems and 3D data.
• Collaborate with customer design groups and Magna program management to recommend best-in-class design parameters that balance manufacturability and cost.
• Champion continuous improvement, including new process development and product cost analyses; research enhancements.
• Drive innovation and patentable ideas; understand submission procedures for Magna and the U.S. Patent Office; track and evaluate internal and external patent status.
• Partner with Product and Manufacturing Engineering to realize best-in-class DfM for faster, safer, and more efficient assembly.
• Support Change Requests (CR) and Change Notices (CN) within the Magna Change X tool.
• Capture lessons learned and best practices to elevate future programs.
• Support prototype, pre-production, and production manufacturing/builds as required.
• Safeguard intellectual property; perform related procedures as needed.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external customers.
• Assist program management with product/process development, including prototype tooling and builds.

PDP and TraX accountability

Operate in concert with the Program Manager within Magna’s Corporate PDP and the TraX online requirements system. Specific ownership includes:

1. ME-003 Intellectual Property / Patent Searches
2. ME-030 Critical Design Review (CDR)
3. ME-035 CAE (Moldflow, FEA, Warpage Analysis, Other)
4. ME-039 Customer Design Freeze
5. ME-040 Data Release

Qualifications Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an Engineering or Technical field

Experience

• DE2: 4–9 years
• DE3: 10+ years

Tool proficiency

• Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• CAD software: CATIA, NX, or similar

Industry experience

• Direct customer and supplier interaction: DE2 Skilled | DE3 Expert
• New product launches: DE2 Skilled | DE3 Expert
• Gated launch experience: DE2 Skilled | DE3 Expert
• Automotive OEM exposure: DE2 Skilled | DE3 Expert
• CAD software application depth: DE2 Skilled | DE3 Expert

Skilled: Handles moderate complexity independently; leads programs without mentorship; decisions carry lasting business impact.

Expert: Manages complex, large-scale programs; fully competent across the domain; trains/mentors others; owns high-risk responsibilities.

Key competencies

• Communication and English Proficiency: Clear written and verbal communication; ability to present effectively; strong listening and interpersonal skills.
• Ethics and Initiative: High integrity and values; self-starter comfortable with ambiguity.
• Safety and Customer Focus: Follows safety protocols; stewards materials; nurtures strong customer relationships.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Alignment: Builds consensus and aligns stakeholders to project goals.

Tools, skills, and certifications Required

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) knowledge
• Strong mathematics foundation
• GD&T literacy; ability to read and interpret blueprints
• Ability to support and maintain DFMEA, Open Issue Lists, and timelines

Desired

• Membership in a professional engineering organization related to design
• ASME GD&T certification

Proficiencies

• GD&T
• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing)
• Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA)
• Supplier Management
• CAD Software
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Product Design Experience
• Engineering Degree
• Supplier Negotiation Experience

Machines & technologies

• NX CAD (Siemens) and other CAD platforms

Work environment and travel

• Limited travel to suppliers/customers as needed
• Comfort working on the manufacturing floor for extended periods and at customer locations when requested
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds