Senior Design Release Engineer

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At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Senior Design & Release Engineer leads the design, development, validation, release, and launch support of Body in White structures and vehicle integration components for complete vehicle and autonomous mobility platforms. The position owns assigned systems from concept and architecture development through prototype builds, production release, validation, and launch readiness.  

This role combines deep BODY EXTERIOR engineering knowledge with disciplined component ownership. The engineer works closely with Program Management, CATIA, CAE, PLM, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, suppliers, and OEM customers to deliver robust solutions that meet performance, cost, timing, regulatory, manufacturability, serviceability, weight, and quality requirements.  

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES 

Technical Leadership & Product Development  

• Lead development of BODY EXTERIOR and vehicle integration systems, including body structures, Body Exterior interfaces, mounting systems, sensor hardware, thermal integration components, packaging systems, and exterior interfaces. 

• Develop and evaluate engineering concepts using structured problem solving, set-based engineering, and DFM/DFA principles. 

• Create, review, and release CATIA models, drawings, specifications, tolerance analyses, and technical documentation. 

• Ensure designs meet performance, durability, quality, manufacturability, serviceability, environmental, and production requirements. 

• Lead benchmarking, advanced development, and continuous improvement activities. 

• Provide technical leadership and support key engineering decisions across cross-functional teams. 

Design Release & Configuration Management  

• Own component and assembly release activities within PLM systems and maintain configuration integrity throughout the product lifecycle. 

• Manage BOMs, engineering changes (ECR/ECN), release documentation, and product configurations. 

• Release CATIA, CAE, drawings, specifications, and production data packages to approved systems. 

• Lead release readiness reviews and communicate design status, risks, open issues, and recovery plans. 

Project Planning, Targets & Reporting  

• Support achievement of program targets for cost, timing, quality, weight, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance. 

• Contribute to resource planning, budgets, milestones, work packages, and program reporting. 

• Coordinate external engineering resources and third-party deliverables. 

• Identify and escalate technical, cost, resource, or timing risks with recommended corrective actions. 

Supplier & Manufacturing Collaboration  

• Partner with suppliers on technical reviews, DFM/DFA assessments, material selection, tooling concepts, design optimization, and production readiness. 

• Collaborate with Advanced Manufacturing and plant teams to ensure production feasibility and resolve build concerns. 

• Support manufacturing process reviews, APQP, PPAP, supplier issue resolution, and corrective action activities. 

• Work with vehicle integration and design teams to ensure packaging, appearance, and product intent requirements are met. 

Validation, Quality & Risk Management  

• Develop and maintain DVP&R documentation and validation strategies for assigned systems. 

• Coordinate component, subsystem, and vehicle testing activities and resolve issues through root cause analysis and corrective actions. 

• Lead or support DFMEA development, risk reduction, lessons learned, and design improvement efforts. 

• Prepare and approve validation reports, deviation documentation, and issue-Body Exterior records. 

• Drive improvements in quality, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and engineering efficiency. 

Prototype, Vehicle Build & Launch Support  

• Support prototype, pilot, and production of vehicle builds as the engineering owner for assigned systems. 

• Investigate build issues, manage engineering changes, and coordinate issue resolution activities. 

• Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, suppliers, and customers to achieve launch readiness. 

• Support vehicles launch activities and confirm release, validation, and manufacturing readiness requirements are met. 

Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration  

• Lead technical reviews, milestone meetings, design discussions, and customer presentations. 

• Collaborate across Program Management, CATIA, CAE, PLM, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, and Vehicle Integration teams. 

• Promote knowledge sharing and provide technical guidance to engineers, designers, suppliers, and external resources. 

YOUR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience  

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or related engineering discipline; master's degree preferred.  

• 10+ years of automotive body engineering, BODY EXTERIOR development, vehicle integration, or closely related product development experience.  

• Demonstrated experience designing, validating, and releasing mechanical, structural, or vehicle integration components and assemblies.  

• Experience in complete vehicle development, manufacturing, prototype builds, production launch, and supplier collaboration.  

• Experience working with global engineering teams and communicating with OEM customers and suppliers.  

• Experience supervising or technically leading engineering personnel preferred.  

• Autonomous vehicle, ADAS, electric vehicle, or mobility program experience preferred.  

Technical Skills & Knowledge  

• CATIA V5 or CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE; working knowledge of CATIA and CAE simulation methods.  

• Enovia or equivalent PLM system, including BOM management, product release, configuration control, and engineering change management.  

• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, tolerance stack-up analysis, DFM/DFA, DFMEA, root cause analysis, and structured problem solving.  

• Automotive validation methods, PPAP, APQP, prototype manufacturing, and production launch support.  

• BODY EXTERIOR materials and processes, including plastic injection moldings, castings, hydroforming, transfer/deep draw/progressive dies, extrusions, composites, Sheet Molding Compound, Resin Transfer Molding, and castings.  

• Joining and finishing processes, bonding and adhesive selection, threaded/riveted/clip fastening, Class A painting, and corrosion protection.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project; Six Sigma certification preferred.  

• Clear written and verbal communication  

• Cross-functional teamwork, supplier management, and customer-facing professionalism  

• Flexibility, priority alignment, attention to detail, and a positive can-do approach  

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.

As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.