Description
As an Interior Design Release Engineer (DRE), you will be a technical authority in vehicle Instrument Panel, specially the Cross Car beam and other IP Structures under the dash. Will lead the engineering, integration, and launch of these systems with an unwavering focus on safety, quality, technical excellence, and flawless execution. You will drive disciplined delivery to all vehicle development milestones, enable beautiful design execution, and achieve cost, quality, mass, craftsmanship, and performance targets across the vehicle portfolio.
This role requires strong engineering fundamentals, systems thinking, and technical rigor, with hands on responsibility for CAD/package integration, supplier collaboration, DFMEA/DFSS excellence, and robust validation—from early product definition through launch.
Responsibilities
Program & Technical Leadership
•Design, development, analysis, implementation, and validation of the complex instrument panel and console subsystems will be your day to day duties.
•Perform engineering design evaluations and concept development across vehicle programs
•Utilize engineering tools (DFMEA, ICDs, PFMEA) and leverage CAE groups including Safety Performance to successfully develop the best system solution
•Assessment of design to manufacturing processes (e.g. injection molding, vibration welding, vacuum forming, foam-in-place, wrapping)
•Package components, manage CAD development through supplier or GM designers and collaborate with other systems within the vehicle (Thermal, Electrical, Body, Chassis, Restraints, etc.). Ensure best practices are incorporated in the CAD and seeks support when best practice not met. Schedule and lead Peer Reviews
•Work cross-functionally to support initial vehicle configuration work, realize cost optimization, deliver customer-driven requirements, and implement product and process improvements
•Balance business imperatives, including but not limited to cost, part count, mass, complexity, timing, and content
•Communicate information to and from internal and external customer organizations (e.g. Creative Design, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers) and lead the product development team (PDT). Track and resolve open issues with support.
•Review, support and apply benchmarking for design direction competitiveness.
•Lead execution through change management process to support workstreams and initiatives described above.
•Support in the development of Statement of Requirements (SOR) Creation and lead in the development of statements of work, key partner for DFMEA/DRBFM/FEA
•Lead launch activities for your program and commodity with a quality and on time execution mindset.
Operational Excellence & Enterprise Alignment
•Actively contribute to enterprise initiatives: CAE driven design, virtual execution (including “virtual by 2025”), automation, faster development, and enhanced supply chain.
•Maintain process discipline through the project development: crystal clear documentation, lessons learned read across, risk registers, and disciplined engineering execution.
•Drive change management rigor (concise problem statements, alternatives, decisions, and impacts on cost, mass, timing, and complexity).
•Use benchmarking to calibrate design direction competitiveness and to inform BOM row strategies and feature/content decisions.
•Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and psychological safety within the PDT—escalate risks early with facts and options.
•Strengthen knowledge management (checklists, playbooks, templates, “golden references”) and support global alignment on standards and read across.
•Travel as needed during development, integration, and launch phases (plant builds, supplier trials, DV/PV events, craftsmanship audits).
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What You’ll Need (Required Qualifications)
Education, Experience and Technical Depth
•Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, Aerospace, Materials or related).
•8–10 years in the commodity: instrument panel, floor console, and decorative trim development; end to end exposure from early product definition through launch.
•Demonstrated outstanding performance in subsystem ownership, issue resolution, and on time delivery to vehicle development milestones.
•Sub system expertise in injection molded trim, foam in place, thermoformed skins, and cut and sew wrapping of substrates. Detailed knowledge of IP, IP Structure, and Floor Console performance requirements, applicable regulations, and best practices.
•Proven proficiency in component/subsystem design and development, vehicle integration, and design for manufacturability/automation.
•Mastery of DFMEA/DRBFM, DVP&R development, ICDs, and PFMEA collaboration with ME.
•Strong partnership with CAE (including Safety Performance) to validate robustness and inform design iterations using data driven decisions.
•DFSS Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred. Demonstrated use of DFSS tools to prevent defects and enable read across.
Skills
•Demonstrated ownership and urgency, with the ability to manage competing priorities and drive clear outcomes on cost, mass, complexity, timing, and content.
•Project management capability; PMI/PMP preferred.
•Effective in change management (clear problem framing, options with quantified impacts, and decisive, documented approvals).
•Strong written and verbal communication; able to lead PDTs and coordinate with Creative Design, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers, and adjacent systems (Thermal, Electrical, Body, Chassis, Restraints).
•Proven ability to influence without authority, escalate appropriately, and drive cross functional alignment.
Tools & Software
•Proficiency with CAD workflows and release processes; ability to manage CAD through supplier or GM designers, ensure best practices, and lead peer reviews.
•Established knowledge of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project; experience with CAD/visualization tools (e.g., VisMockup, NX/UniGraphics or similar).
Skills
Product engineering, DFMEA, Engineering, Stamping, Welding, Metal Forming, Assembly, Body Structures, interior automotive, catia, Design, red x, Fishbone
Top Skills Details
Product engineering,DFMEA,Engineering,Stamping,Welding,Metal Forming,Assembly,Body Structures
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Business Group – instrument panel trim and floor consults, instrument panel, a lot of different styling working with the studio, different materials, different stiches and colors, fit and finishes is a big part of their department
Years of experience: 8-10 years of experience preferred from other OEMs and/other Cockpit suppliers.
Nice to have:
• PMI or PMP certification preferred, not required
• Understand change management
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Warren, MI.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $54.00 - $56.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
This is a hybrid position in Warren,MI.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on May 12, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.