Design & Release Engineer (DRE) - Interior Cockpit
Troy · Troy, MI · 5+ years experience · Full-time · Posted Oct 8, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 5+ years experience
- Employment
- Full-time
- Location
- Troy · Troy, MI
About the role
- The Design & Release Engineer (DRE) - Interior Cockpit will lead the development, validation, and integration of cockpit trim components for client vehicles.
- This role ensures that cockpit trim performance, features, and FMVSS regulatory requirements are met throughout the product lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Lead safety validation, development, material selection, and launch of cockpit system components including bins, trims, glove boxes, and IP door panels.
- Collaborate with internal and external safety departments to ensure component and system-level testing meets DVP and FMVSS targets.
- Validate cockpit systems by reviewing test loads, setups, reports, and results.
- Ensure packaging compatibility, interface alignment, and system-level functionality.
- Lead product development, tooling reviews, and launch of new components from concept to production.
- Conduct supplier and internal technical reviews to resolve packaging and design issues.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure plastic trim components are properly accommodated by the cockpit system.
- Define and integrate critical characteristics (CC/SC) with adjacent systems.
- Deliver products meeting quality and reliability requirements on time for program milestones with PPAP documentation.
- Support prototype builds, DV/PV testing, and launch readiness.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in automotive Cockpit System engineering.
- Experience in at least 3 of the following: Cockpit FMVSS/IIHS/3rd party validation, Cockpit and trim plastic design, or Interior trim plastic materials and injection molding.
- Experience working within a PLM system for releasing components and processing engineering changes.
- Functional experience with NHTSA, FMVSS, CARB, EPA, FCC, or other regulatory requirements.
- Ability to lead teams and meetings through technical tradeoffs.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Preferred qualifications
- Master's degree
Workplace
- Drug-free workplace; pre-employment drug screening required.
Skills
- PLM
- APQP
- PPAP
- DVP
- FMVSS
- IIHS
- NHTSA
- CARB
- EPA
- FCC
- Microsoft Office
