Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer

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Date: Jun 11, 2026

Location: Auburn Hills, MI, US

Company: NSNA

Company Overview

Nippon Seiki is a world-class manufacturer of instruments for vehicles, agricultural, and construction equipment. Established in 1945, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Japan, with numerous facilities worldwide. Nippon Seiki North America ("NSNA"), a group company of Nippon Seiki, located in Auburn Hills, MI, is a tier one supplier of instrument clusters and head-up display units for FCA US, General Motors, BMW, Honda, Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Polaris, Arctic Cat and other OEM's.

Purpose of Job

The Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible to lead the Design & Development of automotive instrument clusters and head-up displays (HUDs). Responsible to review customer requirements, specifications and manufacturing constraints in order to create comprehensive engineering product design proposals, specifications, drawings utilizing and applying engineering principles, and Design Engineering Standards (DES). Responsibilities also include analyzing test data, performing root-cause analysis, preparation of 5-Phase/5-Why analysis reports as needed, Engineering reports, Technical Presentation material, and deliver Engineering Presentations to internal and external customers as required.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

Top duties or activities with the approximate percentage of time spent on each duty in a given year. Not all tasks/steps performed are listed.

Rank % of Role Focus Major Duty / Responsibility of Job

1. 35%

• Lead the design and development of automotive instrument clusters (IPC) and head-up displays (HUDs), creation of 3D Models and 2D drawings including GD&T for all structural components considering DFM/DFA factors and assembly drawings, cost, material & component specifications, and other design factors.

• Mentor in the optical design and simulation using light simulation software.

• Mentor support-engineer(s) in the performing engineering calculation, stack-up analysis as parts of design development deliverables.

• Ensure that development metrics are in compliance to APICE / IATF process requirements.

1. 20%

• Post Development: Provide technical/design support during the pre-production phase (PV testing, root-cause analysis, 5-Phase report preparation), during production preparation phase (Quality, Assembly, Process related areas).

• Provide technical/design support to assembly plants, suppliers related to quality, design related aspects.

• Execute customer design changes and reflect to internal design deliverables, and documentation.

1. 15%

• Interface with customer to understand design requirements during the design specification/Styling development, and product development phases. Compile Specification Confirmation Reports prior to the development.

• Provide mentorship in the structural, thermal, and dynamic analysis using FEA Software.

1. 10%

• Lead in the development of conceptual design, bill of materials (BOM), design feasibility studies for the RFQ response and technical presentation.

• Lead in the development of DFMEA, DVP, Failure Analysis/5-Phase Report creation.

1. 5%

• Lead “In-vehicle performance checks” at customer location during pre-production phases to evaluate the design integrity of NSI Products and to Identify design flaws or issues and compile summary report.

1. 5%

• Mentor design engineers in the benchmark analysis, attend trade shows (NAIAS) and compile market trend analysis of IPC/ HUD Products.

1. 5%

• Assist in the prototype development during the build trials.

• Assist manufacturing plants, quality teams in resolving technical, manufacturing, quality issues.

• Assist in the testing & evaluation of IPC/HUD Products as required.

1. 5%

• Mentor support engineer(s) in the preparation of technical documents in support of the quality gate assessment meetings with parent company in Japan.

Education, Experience and Knowledge

Required and/or preferred level of education, knowledge and skills that are necessary.

Education Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering; Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred; Course work or Specialization in Strength of Materials, Design for Six Sigma, Statics & Dynamics, SQC, CAD / CAE, Optics principles, Materials, Manufacturing Principles.

Related Experience

• 4 - 8 years of automotive design & development experience.

• Required work experience with CAD – CATIA/UG.

• Experience with the automotive, structures, plastics or optics are preferred.

• FEA analysis knowledge especially vibration, thermal, linear/non-linear Analysis are required experience. Working knowledge of ABAQUS preferred.

• Experience working with optical design principles; OPTIS / Light Tools - Light simulation software package is preferred.

• GD&T and Stack-up Analysis work experience are required.

Special Training or Competency

NSI Competencies

• Adaptation/Flexibility: Includes keeping an open mind regarding new ideas and ways of doing things. Willing to consider alternative interpretations or ways of looking at the situation. Demonstrating flexibility.

• Initiative/ Results Driven: Includes setting high standards of performance for self and others. Striving to accomplish goals even if it means personal sacrifice. Putting the goals of the organization above own goals.

• Judgment/ Decision Making: Includes making decisions and takes actions that have beneficial impact. Effectively evaluating information in order to come up with sound conclusions and recommendations.

• Resource Management: Includes setting clear objectives to guide action for self or others to accomplish goals. Organizing or adjusting information, people and materials to meet those goals.

• Team Work: Includes encouraging and supporting the ideas and effort of others. Finding ways to help the team or group perform effectively.

Additional Information

Work Hours Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5pm. Off-hours as needed.

Travel Requirements

10-15% internationally and/or domestically.

If domestic travel is necessary, valid drivers’ license is required.

If international travel is necessary, valid passport is required.

Additional Information

DISCLAIMER

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Nippon Seiki North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Candidates must meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years to comply with labor laws and job responsibilities.