Mechanical Design Engineer

Summary:
This role involves leading the development of new control arms, ball joints, wheel hubs, tie rods, and chassis components, including creating detailed specifications, conducting testing, and validating designs. It requires evaluating and implementing new technologies, managing supplier processes, and performing quality management to enhance existing products. Additionally, the position focuses on departmental development through training, process improvement, and collaboration with supply chain, marketing and sales teams.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the ongoing development of NPIs (New Product Introductions) for control arms, ball joints, wheel hubs, tie rods, and chassis components.
• Develop detailed specifications, drawings, testing, and validation plans for these products.
• Investigate and develop component specifications, standards, and best practices for control arms, ball joints, wheel hubs, tie rods, and chassis components.
• Assess new technologies/designs and make recommendations based on scientific principles and test data.
• Review design changes to determine their impact on functional performance and compliance with internal engineering standards.
• Execute the implementation of new designs and/or standards with manufacturers.
• Consult and evaluate suppliers on the manufacturing processes used in the production of control arms, ball joints, wheel hubs, tie rods, and relevant components.
• Investigate new approaches to differentiate products internally and externally.
• Perform and manage benchmarking against competitors for these product lines.
• Prepare and update engineering standards.
• Assess and onboard new manufacturers to engineering standards and best practices.
• Perform root cause analysis to upgrade current products.
• Re-evaluate products and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Review and compile testing data to quantify improvements made to various designs.
• Provide support in resolving any product quality or manufacturing issues with manufacturers.

Requirements
Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or other related Engineering field
• 5+ years of work experience in an automotive engineering environment specializing in suspension & steering component design & manufacturing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven experience in leading and driving automotive component development programs.
• Extensive knowledge in Solidworks or similar 2D & 3D CAD systems.
• Proven experience in the development of automotive components with sheet metal, weldments, casting, and forging manufacturing processes.
• Experience in the development of ball joint components and assemblies.
• Experience and knowledge in the design and development of rubber automotive components and rubber injection molding manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of automotive suspension component SAE testing standards.
• Knowledge of GD&T as per ASME Y14.5.
• Knowledge of mechanical testing (hardness, metallurgy, tensile).
• Experience in project management and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Able to interpret and create technical drawings.

Knowledge and Personal Attributes:

• Must be a team player and detail-oriented.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Proven ability to build effective business relationships.
• Experience in project management and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Able to interpret and create technical drawings.