The Role
Lead design and release of automotive exterior trim components (bumpers, grilles, spoilers, claddings, etc.). Manage engineering releases, ECRs, BOMs, validation (DV/PV), DFMEA, APQP, and supplier coordination. Ensure manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and product launch readiness while using CAD and PLM tools.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Description:
Product Design & Development
Lead the design and development of Body Exterior Trim components including:
- Front and Rear Bumpers
- Grilles
- Bumper Mounting Brackets
- Wheel Arch Flares
- Wheel Liners
- Claddings
- Roof Rails/Roof Racks
- Side Steps
- Spoilers
- Belly Pans
- Functional Plastic Components
- Badges and Decorative Components
- Perform concept development, feasibility studies, package reviews, and engineering assessments.
- Develop and maintain master sections and ensure compliance with vehicle architecture requirements.
- Drive component optimization for cost, weight, quality, manufacturability, and performance.
Engineering Release & Change Management
- Own engineering release activities and maintain product structures throughout the development lifecycle.
- Manage Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), design modifications, release documentation, and product updates.
- Ensure timely creation and release of drawings, BOMs, and engineering documentation.
- Support tooling release readiness and production implementation activities.
Validation & Quality
- Develop and execute Engineering Design Validation (DV) and Process Validation (PV) plans.
- Coordinate design reviews, DFMEA activities, risk assessments, and issue resolution.
- Support APQP and quality convergence activities with suppliers and internal teams.
- Investigate and resolve product issues during prototype, pilot, and launch phases.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Styling, Vehicle Integration, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and Validation teams.
- Coordinate with suppliers to resolve technical challenges and ensure program milestones are achieved.
- Support benchmarking activities and competitive assessments.
- Drive effective communication and reporting across stakeholders throughout project execution.
Regulatory & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with applicable automotive regulations and homologation requirements related to exterior trim systems.
- Support documentation and evidence required for regulatory approvals.
Program & BOM Management
- Manage BOM structures, complexity management, and configuration control.
- Track project deliverables, timing plans, risks, and engineering KPIs.
- Support lifecycle activities including cost reduction, quality improvements, and product updates.
Technical Expertise
- Strong experience in design and development of automotive Body Exterior Trim components.
- Good understanding of:
- Plastic part design and manufacturing processes
- Injection molding and tooling development
- Painted, chrome-plated, and textured/as-molded plastic components
- DFM/DFA principles
- GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Experience in component validation, DFMEA, APQP, and product launch activities.
- Knowledge of automotive development processes and engineering release workflows.
CAD & PLM Tools
- Proficiency in UG NX for design and engineering activities.
- Hands-on experience with Teamcenter / PLM systems.
- Experience with ENOVIA is preferred.
- Exposure to CATIA is an added advantage.
Soft Skills
- Strong supplier management and technical review capabilities.
- Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional and global development teams.
- Strong communication, planning, and project coordination skills.
Skills Required
- Strong experience in design and development of automotive Body Exterior Trim components
- Good understanding of plastic part design and manufacturing processes
- Experience with injection molding and tooling development
- Experience with painted, chrome-plated, and textured/as-molded plastic components
- DFM/DFA principles
- GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Experience in component validation, DFMEA, APQP, and product launch activities
- Knowledge of automotive development processes and engineering release workflows
- Proficiency in UG NX
- Hands-on experience with Teamcenter / PLM systems
- Experience with ENOVIA
- Exposure to CATIA
- Strong supplier management and technical review capabilities
- Problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional and global development teams
- Strong communication, planning, and project coordination skills
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The Company
What We Do
NextHire Consulting is an AI-driven recruiting platform that streamlines the hiring process for companies. By leveraging AI agents for sourcing, screening, and interviewing, the platform enables teams to focus on pre-qualified finalists. It provides data-driven insights into candidate soft skills and behavioral styles, aiming to disrupt traditional recruitment models with efficient, automated, and science-based talent acquisition solutions for businesses of all sizes.
