Senior Design Engineer – Body Exterior Trim (Automotive)
Location: Pune / Chennai
Experience: 6–8 Years
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Automotive Product Development
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Design Engineer – Body Exterior Trim to lead the design and development of automotive exterior trim systems throughout the product development lifecycle. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in plastic component design, engineering release processes, supplier coordination, validation activities, and automotive product development using UG NX and PLM tools.
This role offers an opportunity to work on advanced vehicle programs and collaborate with cross-functional global teams from concept development through production launch.
Key Responsibilities: Product Design & Development
- Lead the design and development of Body Exterior Trim components, including:
- Front & Rear Bumpers
- Grilles
- Bumper Mounting Brackets
- Wheel Arch Flares
- Wheel Liners
- Claddings
- Roof Rails & Roof Racks
- Side Steps
- Spoilers
- Belly Pans
- Functional Plastic Components
- Badges & Decorative Components
- Perform concept development, feasibility studies, package reviews, and engineering assessments.
- Develop and maintain master sections in compliance with vehicle architecture requirements.
- Optimize components for cost, weight, manufacturability, quality, and performance.
Engineering Release & Change Management
- Manage engineering release activities throughout the product lifecycle.
- Handle Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), design updates, and release documentation.
- Create and release drawings, BOMs, and engineering documentation.
- Support tooling release readiness and production implementation activities.
Validation & Quality
- Develop and execute Design Validation (DV) and Process Validation (PV) plans.
- Participate in design reviews, DFMEA activities, and risk assessments.
- Support APQP activities and supplier quality convergence.
- Investigate and resolve product issues during prototype, pilot, and launch phases.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Styling, Vehicle Integration, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and Validation teams.
- Work closely with suppliers to resolve technical challenges and meet project milestones.
- Conduct benchmarking and competitive analysis activities.
- Provide regular project updates and technical reports to stakeholders.
Regulatory & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with automotive regulations and homologation requirements related to exterior trim systems.
- Support documentation required for regulatory approvals and audits.
Program & BOM Management
- Manage BOM structures, configuration control, and complexity management.
- Track project timelines, risks, deliverables, and engineering KPIs.
- Support cost reduction initiatives, quality improvements, and product updates.
Required Skills & QualificationsTechnical Expertise
- 6–8 years of experience in Automotive Body Exterior Trim Design & Development.
- Strong knowledge of:
- Plastic Part Design
- Injection Molding Processes
- Tooling Development
- Painted, Chrome-Plated & Textured Plastic Components
- DFM/DFA Principles
- GD&T and Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis
- Experience in:
- DFMEA
- APQP
- Product Validation
- Product Launch Activities
- Engineering Change Management
CAD & PLM Tools
- Proficiency in UG NX for design and engineering development.
- Hands-on experience with Teamcenter or similar PLM systems.
- Experience with ENOVIA is preferred.
- Exposure to CATIA will be an added advantage.
Soft Skills
- Strong supplier management and technical review experience.
- Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
- Ability to work effectively within cross-functional and global teams.
- Strong communication, planning, and project coordination capabilities.
Preferred Candidate Profile
- Experience working with automotive OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers.
- Proven track record of delivering exterior trim components from concept through production.
- Strong understanding of automotive product development processes and engineering release workflows.
Pay: ₹700,000.00 - ₹900,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
