About the Role:
The Product Design Release Engineer – Vehicle Closures is responsible for the design, engineering, integration, and production release of vehicle closure subsystems on assigned vehicle programs. As a Closures Sub‑System Engineer, this role leads product development activities and collaborates cross‑functionally to deliver integrated, balanced, and manufacturable closure solutions that meet program timing, cost, quality, and performance requirements.
This position requires strong technical judgment, leadership, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment.
Key Responsibilities
Subsystem Engineering & Integration
- Design, engineer, and release vehicle closure subsystems across multiple vehicle programs.
- Collaborate with System Architects, Lead Integrators, Studio, Program Teams, and Manufacturing to develop integrated solutions that balance innovation, content, and manufacturing constraints.
- Ensure subsystem integration meets SSTS, packaging, dimensional, and performance requirements .
- Develop design studies and alternatives to support program direction based on cost, mass, timing, DFMEA, quality, and other program imperatives .
- Ensure theme development enables on‑time, high‑quality execution .
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Work extensively with Body Manufacturing, Body Shop, General Assembly, VDDV/CAE , and other engineering teams to balance subsystem requirements.
- Negotiate and align solutions with cross‑functional partners to achieve robust and manufacturable designs.
- Communicate effectively with internal and external customer organizations.
Technical Leadership
- Provide technical expertise in closure subsystem development , including system integration.
- Apply working knowledge of closure components such as latches, hinges, counterbalance systems, power actuators, handles, and sensors .
- Support benchmarking activities and stay current on competitive trends and best practices in closure systems.
- Share technical learnings and best practices across programs, platforms, and organizations.
Product Development & Execution
- Lead the Product Development Team (PDT) to ensure all subsystem deliverables are met on time.
- Run effective subsystem PDT meetings and manage subsystem deliverables across programs.
- Execute quality chain elements with rigor and discipline.
- Co‑lead System Design Reviews, Peer Reviews, and DRB/TR Reviews , ensuring design fidelity, interface integrity, and best‑practice compliance.
- Complete all required deliverables through the Vehicle Development Process (VDP) , including:
- Math releases
- Statements of Requirements (SORs)
- Sourcing and Tool Kickoffs
- Test‑Ready Properties and Validation
- ICDs, CRVs, MRDs for build events
- PPAP deliverables
Manufacturing & Launch Support
- Ensure GD&T strategy aligns with dimensional capability and assembly strategy.
- Determine root cause and resolution of dimensional and quality issues.
- Partner with Manufacturing to develop and execute closure system process validation plans .
- Enable a high‑quality, on‑time vehicle launch .
Systems & Process Knowledge
- Apply working knowledge of GM systems and processes, including ECR, PRTS, eMerge, PPAP, TWO’s , and related tools.
- Co‑lead the development, execution, and approval of subsystem validation plans .
- Support Purchasing, Supplier Quality (SQ), and PDT teams to ensure on‑time sourcing of qualified suppliers.
- Utilize Robust Engineering tools (DFSS, OPEX, etc.) to optimize product design and execution.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering
- Experience with engineering operations, specification, release processes, and best practices
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in cross‑functional and cross‑cultural teams
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to address complex and ambiguous issues
- Demonstrated ability to make timely decisions in a dynamic environment
- Excellent oral, written, and program management skills
- Strong physics‑based and methodical problem‑solving capability
Preferred Qualifications
- Master of Science or other advanced degree
- DFSS Black Belt certification and/or Red X Journeyman
- Experience in fixture design and product validation
- Experience in budget and program plan development
