Design Release Engineer - Tire & Wheel Systems

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated, customer-focused Design Release Engineer (DRE) to join the Tire & Wheel Systems team. This role is responsible for the design, development, integration, validation, and production release of wheels, wheel trim, tires, chassis tools, and related components.

The DRE will lead cross-functional development activities from concept through launch, working closely with Design Studio, Program Management, Purchasing, suppliers, Validation Engineering, Tire Development, Vehicle Development, and Vehicle Integration teams. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to complex vehicle programs while developing expertise in wheel development, product engineering, and program release management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop tire and wheel content plans in partnership with Program Management and Design Studio.
• Establish component requirements using design standards, engineering best practices, and program objectives.
• Develop and balance mass, cost, complexity, performance, and timing targets with the program team.
• Create Statements of Requirements and technical documentation to support sourcing activities.
• Participate in technical reviews with Purchasing and suppliers to evaluate designs, capabilities, and sourcing recommendations.
• Partner with Design Studio to develop wheel concepts and ensure sketches meet mathematical and engineering criteria.
• Work with suppliers to develop production-feasible designs that satisfy FEA, durability, performance, and validation requirements.
• Lead Product Development Team meetings and coordinate activities across suppliers, Validation Engineering, Test Engineering, and Specifications teams.
• Manage execution of production wheel development and validation activities to meet program timing, quality, cost, and performance targets.
• Lead issue resolution using structured problem-solving and data-driven engineering analysis.
• Manage component-level part releases and engineering changes throughout the vehicle program.
• Support launch readiness activities and ensure timely resolution of open technical issues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline.
• At least 2 years of experience in a Design Release Engineer, Product Development Engineer, Component Engineer, or comparable engineering role.
• Experience designing, developing, integrating, or releasing automotive components or other complex engineered products.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating suppliers or external partners.
• Strong understanding of engineering theory, product design principles, and component development processes.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to resolve unusual or complex issues.
• Highly organized and results-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple activities and deliverables to program timing.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to build effective relationships across technical and business teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with tire and wheel systems or automotive chassis components.
• Experience with Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methods or certification.
• Proficiency with Teamcenter, Siemens NX, eMERGE, or similar engineering and product lifecycle management tools.
• Experience with FEA, durability testing, validation planning, or production release processes.
• Experience working with automotive suppliers and supporting vehicle program launches.
• Familiarity with GM engineering, release, and product development processes.

Why Join This Team?

This role offers the opportunity to influence vehicle design from concept through production while collaborating with a broad range of engineering, design, program, and supplier teams. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality, cost-effective tire and wheel systems for future vehicle programs.

Hybrid:

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to our Warren office three times per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business

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