Design & Release Engineer

• Location: Dearborn, Michigan
• Type: Contract
• Job #106053

Job Title: Design & Release Engineer - Rocker Moldings
Location: Dearborn, MI - Hybrid (4 Days Onsite: Monday through Thursday)
Job Type: W2 Contract
Expected hours per week: 40 hours per week
Schedule: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM EST
Pay Range: $44 - 45 per hour


We are seeking an experienced Design & Release Engineer (DRE) to lead the design, development, validation, and release of rocker molding systems for automotive applications. This role will be responsible for the end-to-end engineering of rocker moldings, including injection-molded plastic component design, supplier collaboration, and program execution.


In addition to rocker molding ownership, this position will provide body scope oversight across related vehicle systems and components, ensuring alignment on program timing, part maturity, issue resolution, and cross-functional integration.


Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and release of rocker molding systems for vehicle programs.
• Develop and engineer injection-molded plastic exterior trim components that meet performance, quality, manufacturing, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with North American legal and vehicle program requirements.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams including design, manufacturing, suppliers, purchasing, quality, and program management.
• Manage component and system-level engineering deliverables throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Support feasibility reviews and provide technical feedback during design checkpoints.
• Track program timing, engineering milestones, part maturity, and issue resolution activities.
• Oversee body scope alignment across related components and systems to ensure seamless vehicle integration.
• Drive issue identification, root cause analysis, and corrective actions with internal teams and suppliers.
• Support vehicle launch activities and engineering change management processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience as a Design & Release Engineer within the automotive industry.
• Strong understanding of the design and release process for injection-molded plastic automotive components .
• Knowledge of automotive product development processes and engineering release activities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, supplier, and program teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous Motor Company experience.
• Experience with exterior systems, exterior trim, or rocker molding design and release .
• Working knowledge of:
  • GPDS
  • Design and release processes
  • Feasibility reviews and engineering gateways
  • Rocker molding and exterior trim system requirements
• Experience managing body scope activities across multiple teams and suppliers.
• Demonstrated ability to track program timing, component maturity, and issue resolution throughout vehicle development programs.

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