HLM Design and Release Engineer

Product Engineer - Handles, Locks & Mechanisms (HLM)

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Product Engineer (Design & Release Engineer) to support Handles, Locks & Mechanisms (HLM) systems across vehicle closures including side doors, hoods, frunks, liftgates, tailgates, and decklids. This position is responsible for the design, development, validation, release, and launch of closure hardware components including handles, latches, locks, strikers, hinges, door checks, and manual and powered mechanism systems.

The successful candidate will manage the complete product development lifecycle from concept through production launch, working closely with suppliers and cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, high-quality solutions that meet cost, weight, performance, timing, and manufacturing objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, validation, release, and implementation of HLM components and systems.
• Manage supplier activities to ensure compliance with program targets for quality, cost, weight, timing, and performance.
• Support product development activities through Ford's Global Product Development System (GPDS).
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, and program teams to deliver robust vehicle-level solutions.
• Perform and review technical analyses including GD&T stack-ups, packaging studies, CAE results, simulations, and system evaluations.
• Participate in Technical Design Reviews and support engineering sign-off activities.
• Release and maintain components, drawings, BOMs, and engineering changes in WERS, FEDEBOM, and Teamcenter.
• Develop and maintain DFMEAs, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, SCCAFs, and DVP&R documentation.
• Support sourcing activities including Engineering Statements of Work (ESOW), supplier reviews, tooling evaluations, and cost assessments.
• Lead root cause investigations using 8D, 5-Why, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Define prototype requirements and support validation, durability, and functional testing.
• Support supplier and manufacturing launches, including issue resolution at assembly and production facilities.
• Drive continuous improvement activities focused on quality, reliability, manufacturability, and cost optimization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in automotive product engineering, design and release, or mechanism development.
• Experience with automotive closure systems, latching systems, seat mechanisms, or other mechanical assemblies.
• Proficiency with CATIA, Teamcenter, 3DX, or similar CAD/PLM platforms.
• Understanding of GD&T, materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical design principles.
• Experience managing engineering releases, BOM structures, CAD data, and supplier integration activities.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Ability to work onsite in Dearborn, MI and travel occasionally to suppliers, test facilities, and manufacturing locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with handles, latches, locks, strikers, hinges, door checks, or powered closure mechanisms.
• Automotive closure systems experience involving side doors, hoods, liftgates, tailgates, or decklids.
• Knowledge of DFMEA, PFMEA, SCCAF, DVP&R, and PPAP processes.
• Experience with WERS, Teamcenter, VisMockup, and Ford product development processes.
• Familiarity with CAE analysis, statistical methods, and Six Sigma problem-solving tools.
• Experience supporting product validation, manufacturing launches, and supplier readiness activities.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and project management experience.

Impellam Group and its brands are equal-opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other factor determined to be unlawful under applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application, interview process, pre-employment activity, and the performance of crucial job functions.

If you require additional disability considerations, modifications, or adjustments please let us know by contacting View email address on aplitrak.com or fill out this form to request accommodations.