Design Release Engineer – Full-Size Truck Suspension

Job Description

As a Design Release Engineer, you will own the design, release, integration, and lifecycle management of suspension hardware for full-size truck vehicle programs. You will be accountable for delivering robust suspension systems that meet vehicle-level targets for ride, handling, durability, NVH, packaging, cost, quality, and timing.

What You’ll Do

• Lead design and release of assigned suspension components and systems, across the full range of assigned suspension components and systems.
• Convert vehicle attribute targets into clear component and system requirements, including component performance targets, tuning ranges, durability requirements, NVH performance, load cases, and operating limits.
• Develop and maintain suspension designs that achieve robust packaging, mounting, travel management, serviceability, and compatibility with springs, bushings, anti-roll systems, and adjacent vehicle systems.
• Own the technical definition and release of suspension hardware, including 3D models, engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and engineering changes.
• Partner with Vehicle Dynamics and cross-functional engineering teams to optimize suspension performance and support ride, handling, durability, towing, hauling, off-road, and track-development activities.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute component, subsystem, and vehicle-level validation, including component testing, K&C, rig, durability, and vehicle performance evaluations.
• Analyze test results and field or development issues, identify root causes, and drive timely corrective actions through design updates, validation, and production implementation.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with suppliers, directing suspension design, development, innovation, quality, timing, cost, and launch readiness.
• Lead design reviews and cross-functional issue resolution with Vehicle Dynamics, Chassis, Structures, Controls, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and Program teams.
• Maintain core Design Release Engineering documentation, including DFMEA, DVP&R, BOMs, requirements, design records, and issue-tracking documentation.
• Support program milestones from concept development through production launch and ensure released hardware meets performance, manufacturability, reliability, and customer expectations.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Senior Design Release Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5 or more years of experience in vehicle suspension design, development, or release.
• Demonstrated experience with direct design-release responsibility for suspension systems or components on vehicle programs.
• Strong knowledge of suspension component and system design, including component architecture, interfaces, durability, NVH, performance tuning, and load management.
• Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics and suspension fundamentals, including kinematics and compliance, spring–damper matching, ride, handling, load paths, and component interactions.
• Experience developing and releasing suspension hardware using engineering drawings, 3D models, specifications, BOMs, DFMEAs, and DVP&Rs.
• Experience planning and interpreting suspension component and system testing, including K&C, rig, durability, and vehicle evaluations, supported by relevant analysis tools.
• Proven ability to lead technical decisions, manage risk, and deliver against program timing, cost, quality, and performance objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead supplier relationships and influence cross-functional teams through complex design and validation issues.
• Clear, concise technical communication skills, with the ability to present recommendations and decisions to engineering and program leadership.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience designing, developing, or releasing suspension hardware for full-size trucks, SUVs, or other high-load vehicle applications.
• Experience on performance, off-road, towing, hauling, or track-focused vehicle programs.
• Experience taking suspension components from concept through design release, validation, production launch, and lifecycle support.
• Exposure to electronically controlled suspension, chassis control systems, or other advanced suspension technologies.
• Experience with supplier development, design reviews, manufacturing feasibility, cost optimization, or production launch activities.
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related discipline.

About GM

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