We are looking for an experienced Core Team / Closure Development Engineer to lead and support the design, development, validation, and launch of vehicle Closure systems for regional and global projects. The role will be responsible for ensuring robust design, technical feasibility, quality, performance, cost, weight, timing, and regulatory compliance throughout the product lifecycle.
The candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams, design studios, vehicle integration teams, engineering functions, suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and global teams to drive Closure components from concept through production launch and lifecycle upgrades.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Closure component and system development activities from concept to vehicle launch.
Ensure Closure projects meet defined quality, performance, cost, weight, and timing objectives.
Assess Closure designs at each project milestone for design robustness, feasibility, manufacturability, and performance.
Lead technical reviews and provide inputs to the design and execution teams.
Support and coordinate vehicle build activities, engineering changes, product releases, and development processes.
Coordinate with Design Studio, Vehicle Integration, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to resolve milestone and development issues.
Ensure compliance with applicable homologation, regulatory, design, and testing requirements.
Manage and review supplier development activities, including internal and external suppliers.
Conduct technical discussions and design reviews with suppliers for glass, window regulators, modules, tops, sealings, mechanisms, and other Closure-related components.
Drive cost and weight optimization opportunities while maintaining design and performance requirements.
Review and approve Tool Kick-Off (TKO)activities in coordination with the Design Execution team.
Evaluate design deviations, assess associated risks, and approve or reject deviations based on technical assessment.
Lead resolution of chronic build, launch, field, process, and performance-related issues.
Support issue resolution during pilot, launch, and post-SOP phases.
Identify lessons learned from development and field issues and ensure they are incorporated into future product designs.
Ensure existing MIS/QFS/QUI/TGW issues and lessons learned are considered in new programs to prevent recurrence.
Support the Core Team Lead in standard harmonization activities and global data collection.
Create and update DFMEA based on lessons learned, design risks, and field concerns.
Manage design risk assessments and support both Design FMEA and Process FMEA activities.
Develop and own technical validation plans for Engineering Design (ED), Design Validation (DV), and Process Validation (PV).
Support and review DVPR/DVP&R activities and ensure testing is completed within the defined timeline.
Identify and escalate non-compliances and technical risks during validation.
Ensure technical documentation, drawings, sourcing packages, tooling documentation, and product structures are completed and released on time.
Support engineering change processes such as ECR, CN, CCD, and ODM, including technical documentation and implementation.
Ensure technical feasibility, design robustness, manufacturability, and compliance of engineering documentation.
Perform or support DMU analysis, section studies, kinematic simulations, and interface studies for Closure systems.
Support diagnostic activities and engineering problem-solving at assembly plants during pilot and launch phases.
Review cost, weight, CAE status, lesson learned, and field issue actions during design reviews.
Participate in benchmarking and tear-down activities to identify design and cost improvement opportunities.
Support lifecycle activities including facelift, MCA, upgrades, quality improvements, and cost reduction programs.
Lead and mentor design engineers and provide technical guidance within the Closure domain.
Closure Components / Systems
The candidate should have hands-on experience in the design and development of Closure systems, including:
* Hoods
* Fenders
* Liftgates
* Tailgates
* Side Doors
* Door Modules
* Closure Hardware
* Sealing Systems
* Window Regulators
* Glass Systems
* Manual Tops
* Closure Mechanisms
* Sheet Metal Components
Technical Skills
Strong experience in Automotive Closure design and development.
Strong understanding of Closure mechanisms, interfaces, and sealing systems.
Concept design and feasibility studies for Closure components.
Strong knowledge of sheet metal design, formability, stamping, hemming, and welding.
Knowledge of sealing, modules, mechanisms, and Closure system development.
Experience with UG NX and/or CATIA in a production release environment.
Experience with Teamcenter / PLM.
Hands-on experience with DMU analysis and section studies.
Knowledge of kinematic simulation and mechanism analysis.
Strong knowledge of GD&T and sheet materials.
Knowledge of spot welding, welding processes, and manufacturing requirements.
Knowledge of die processes and die tryouts.
Understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
Knowledge of welding fixture design and gun access studies.
Understanding of painting and sealing process requirements.
Experience in panel defect identification and correction.
Knowledge of Closure testing and validation processes.
Experience in DVPR/DVP&R and DFMEA creation and updates.
Understanding of Process FMEA and risk assessment.
Knowledge of regulatory and homologation requirements.
Experience in vehicle integration and build coordination.
Knowledge of costing and cost optimization.
Experience in supplier development and vendor coordination.
Knowledge of Automobile Product Lifecycle Management.
Understanding of manufacturing processes and quality practices such as MIS, QFS, QUI, and TGW.
Core Team Responsibilities
Act as the technical focal point for Closure design robustness.
Provide technical inputs to regional and global Closure teams.
Support standardization and harmonization of Closure designs across programs.
Review and approve design changes and deviations based on technical risk.
Ensure design rules and technical requirements are met through milestone design reviews.
Monitor and close critical and chronic issues during development and post-SOP.
Ensure lessons learned are incorporated into DFMEA and future programs.
Drive continuous improvement in Closure design, quality, cost, weight, and performance.
Qualifications
B.E. / B.Tech / M.E / M.Tech in Mechanical, Automotive, or related Engineering discipline.
6–8 years of relevant experience in Automotive Closure systems design and development.
Strong experience in Closure product development and application.
Experience working with OEMs or automotive product development environments is preferred.
Behavioral & Leadership Competencies
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong technical and functional knowledge.
Ability to lead the Closure domain from concept to launch.
Strong cross-functional coordination and stakeholder management skills.
Good communication and presentation skills.
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
Strategic thinking and decision-making ability.
Ability to assess technical risks and make sound engineering decisions.
Team-oriented and self-driven approach.
Good planning and project management skills.
Ability to work effectively with regional and global teams.
Strong supplier and vendor management skills.
Ability to lead and mentor a team of design engineers.
Strong focus on quality, cost, weight, timing, and customer requirements.
Automotive Closure Design, Closure Component Development, Hoods, Fenders, Liftgates, Tailgates, Side Doors, Door Modules, Closure Hardware, Sealing Systems, Window Regulators, Glass Systems, Manual Tops, Closure Mechanisms, Sheet Metal Design, Sheet Metal Formability, Stamping, Hemming, Welding, Die Process, Die Tryouts, Design For Manufacturing, UG NX, CATIA, Teamcenter, PLM, DMU Analysis, Section Study, Kinematic Simulation, GD&T, Sheet Materials, Spot Welding, Welding Fixture Design, Gun Access Study, Painting Process, Sealing Process, Panel Defect Identification, DVPR, DVP&R, DFMEA, PFMEA, Design Validation, Process Validation, Risk Assessment, Vehicle Integration, Vehicle Build Coordination, Engineering Change Management, Product Release, Homologation, Regulatory Compliance, Supplier Development, Vendor Management, Cost Optimization, Weight Optimization, Benchmarking, Tear Down, Product Lifecycle Management, Manufacturing Knowledge, Quality Practices, MIS, QFS, QUI, TGW, Technical Reviews, Issue Resolution, Problem Solving, Cross Functional Team Coordination, Standard Harmonization, Design Robustness, Technical Feasibility, Design Validation, OEM Experience, Team Leadership