Lead Engineer - Body Structure (BIW)
Role Purpose:
Lead and manage body‑in‑white engineering efforts across vehicle programs, from concept to production, ensuring design excellence, manufacturability, cost targets, and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities/ task:
Key Responsibilities with brief description according to priority
Lead Product Lifecycle: Drive BIW development including concept, feasibility, CAD, CAE, prototyping, validation, and production launch
Technical Governance: Prepare and oversee gateway documents, DFMEA, DVP/R, technical specs, BOM, risk assessments
Effort Estimation: Understands the requirements and estimates the efforts taken for completion of task.
Customer Management: Interacts with customers / users on operational aspects of project related to solution / service issues etc.
Delivery Management
- Ensures quality of design is as per customer requirement.
- Plans projects deliverables creates detailed plans and assigns work to teams.
- Monitors progress against plan and manages, scope, schedule, effort and quality.
- Ensures compliance to all applicable Magna processes within the team.
Mentorship & Team Leadership: Coach junior and mid-level engineers; foster best practices, continuous learning, and technical excellence across the team
Materials & Manufacturing Optimization: Assess and select materials (hi‑strength steel, aluminum, composites); optimize for weight, producibility, cost; deepen expertise in stamping, welding, bonding, and robotic automation
Cost & Weight Management: Maintain weight targets and cost-per-piece budgets; own cost engineering and cost estimation during concept and release phases
Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate with design, CAE, manufacturing, validation (NVH/crash), supply chain, and suppliers; manage external partners toward right-first-time quality.
Key Performance Indicators:
- On-time Delivery: Percentage of projects completed on or before the scheduled deadline.
- Budget Adherence: Percentage of projects completed within the allocated budget.
- Milestone Achievement: Number of project milestones achieved on time.
- First-Time Right: Percentage of designs that pass initial validation without requiring significant revisions.
- New Technologies: Number of new technologies or methodologies successfully integrated into the design process.
- Team Productivity: Overall productivity of the design team, measured by output per engineer.
- Feedback Scores: Customer satisfaction scores based on feedback from internal and external stakeholders.
- Documentation Quality: Accuracy and completeness of technical documentation and reports.
- Risk Assessment: Number of risks identified and mitigated during the design and development process.
Role Requirement (Expectations):
Educational Qualification:
BE/DME in relevant Engineering stream
No. of years of work experience:
- If BE: 10+ years
- If DME or equivalent: 13+ years
Critical Skill Sets (Technical):
- CAD and CAE Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, NX)
- GD&T Expertise: Deep understanding and application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in complex assemblies.
- Material Science: Advanced knowledge of materials used in BIW, including high-strength steels, aluminum, composites, and emerging materials, along with their properties and manufacturing processes.
- Resource Allocation: Skills in effectively allocating and managing resources, including time, budget, and personnel, to optimize project outcomes.
- Manufacturing Processes: Comprehensive understanding of advanced manufacturing processes, including stamping, welding, joining techniques, and new technologies like additive manufacturing.
- Integration: Ability to integrate BIW design with other vehicle systems, ensuring overall vehicle performance and safety.
- Innovation Strategy: Skills in identifying and integrating new technologies and methodologies to maintain competitive advantage
Critical Skill Sets (Behavioral):
- Quality Excellence
- Strong Presentation Skills
- Communication Skills
- Problem Solving
- Customer/Supplier Relationship management
- Innovation
- Entrepreneur Thinking
- Business Acumen
- Market Knowledge
Proficiency in languages:
- English - Proficient
- Hindi - Proficient
- Marathi (local language) – preferred to be capable
- Foreign Language – Added advantage
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in relevant stream or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DME)
- 10+ years (BE) or 13+ years (DME) of relevant BIW/body-structure experience
- Expert-level proficiency in CAD (CATIA, NX) and CAE tools
- Deep understanding and application of GD&T in complex assemblies
- Experience with DFMEA, DVP/R, technical specifications, and BOM management
- Advanced knowledge of BIW materials (high-strength steel, aluminum, composites) and material selection
- Proven experience with manufacturing processes: stamping, welding, bonding, robotic automation, and additive manufacturing
- Experience integrating BIW design with NVH and crash validation requirements
- Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and project/delivery management skills
- Proficiency in English and Hindi; Marathi preferred
What the Team is Saying
Magna International Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Medical plan choice includes Enhanced PPO, Standard PPO, and an Advantage HDHP with free preventive care and $0 Teladoc, with in‑network deductibles as low as $200 and out‑of‑pocket maximums starting at $2,000. Company‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability plus basic life/AD&D, along with enhanced dental/vision options in 2026, reinforce comprehensive coverage.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) design features automatic enrollment, a 3% nonelective company contribution after six months, and a 50% match on the first 6% employees contribute. Plan documents and recent filings corroborate this structure, and some divisions also highlight profit‑sharing as part of total rewards.
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Parental & Family Support — U.S. materials outline paid parental leave for non‑union employees (up to five consecutive weeks at 66 2/3% pay) that coordinates with STD/FMLA and allows PTO top‑ups. Mental health resources and an Employee & Family Assistance Program add family‑oriented support across plans.
Magna International Insights
What We Do
We are a mobility company that innovates like a start-up and thinks like a technology company. This helps us anticipate change in one of the most complex industries in the world and respond quickly. We depend on a team of 171,000 dynamic, entrepreneurial-minded employees in an environment where great ideas flourish. Our presence spans 343 manufacturing operations and 88 product development, engineering and sales centers in 29 countries. We understand that you need a career as unique as you are. Whether you want to advance your existing expertise or try something completely different, we are committed to your growth.
Why Work With Us
At Magna, our engineering team is advancing mobility for everyone and everything. Joining this team means being a part of the design, development, and manufacturing of the world’s most advanced mobility technology. Innovations that move families, shape communities, and improve lives. You can follow your passions and shape your own career path.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Majority of roles are hybrid with flexibility. Please speak with our recruiting team for specific details on hybrid work.
