Design Release Engineer (DRE) for Powertrain Brackets

About the Role The Design Release Engineer (DRE) for Powertrain Brackets is the primary technical authority responsible for the end-to-end engineering, packaging, validation, and production release of structural, functional, and auxiliary mounting brackets within the powertrain environment. This role bridges component design and vehicle packaging while coordinating with suppliers and manufacturing plants to deliver high-quality brackets on time. What You'll Do

• Lead the design, packaging, physical routing clearances, and product release of structural powertrain brackets and fastening systems from concept through production.
• Manage the Engineering Change Management process, authoring engineering notices and maintaining accurate BOM data.
• Conduct 3D CAD DMU reviews and complex packaging studies to ensure clearance compliance within dense engine bay and chassis environments.
• Oversee Tier 1 component suppliers to track design maturity, evaluate tooling status, and ensure component delivery timing lines up with vehicle build phases.
• Define, execute, and approve component-level validation plans, monitoring DVP&R for structural fatigue, stiffness, and vibration/resonance testing.
• Drive Design-to-Cost, weight optimization, and VA/VE initiatives to minimize component cost and weight.
• Prepare technical reports, meeting agendas, and presentations for engineering reviews and milestone alignment meetings.
• Collaborate with vehicle assembly plants to troubleshoot assembly issues, analyze root causes of bracket or fastening failures, and execute containment actions. What We're Looking For
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 3+ years of professional experience as an automotive DRE or Product Engineer specializing in structural components, chassis, or powertrain systems.
• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of mechanics of materials, structural behavior under high-vibration profiles, and fatigue prevention.
• Manufacturing Knowledge: Solid knowledge of automotive production methods such as steel/aluminum stamping, high-pressure die casting, and sheet metal fabrication.
• Process & Release Systems: Strong experience navigating automotive product development milestones, BOM management, and engineering release tracking systems.
• Languages: Advanced English language skills (written and spoken) to communicate effectively within global engineering, supplier, and plant environments. Nice to Have
• Direct design or release experience working with major automotive OEMs or global Tier 1 powertrain/structural suppliers.
• Familiarity with standard automotive quality frameworks, including DFMEA, 8D problem-solving, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Proficiency using 3D CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5/V6 or NX) to conduct independent design verification, packaging, and clearance studies.
• Exposure to Finite Element Analysis (FEA) interpretation for stress concentrations and bracket resonance frequencies. Compensation & Benefits
• Salary and benefits not disclosed in the posting.