Sr. Brakes and Steering Engineer

About the Role:
The Senior Engineer, Steering & Brake Systems provides technical leadership and hands-on engineering support for steering and brake systems throughout vehicle launch, production ramp-up, and series manufacturing. This role serves as the primary plant engineering focal point for steering gear, steering columns, intermediate shafts, tie rods, brake calipers, rotors, hoses, brake controls, parking brake components, and related chassis system interfaces.

The engineer works closely with Design Engineering, CAE, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supplier Quality, Purchasing, and Plant Operations to ensure vehicle quality, safety, functional performance, durability, NVH behavior, and manufacturing efficiency. The role is critical for rapid production issue resolution, launch support, and continuous improvement.

Responsible for sustaining engineering after initial product launch. This includes design and release of new parts as required to improve quality or the assembly process and working with core engineering to ensure parts meet all design and validation requirements.

Key Responsibilities:
Production Support & Issue Resolution

• Serve as the plant technical expert for steering and brake components, assemblies, interfaces, and production build concerns.
• Investigate and resolve vehicle build, fit-up, functional, dimensional, noise, vibration, leakage, durability, and quality concerns.
• Lead root cause analysis for manufacturing, supplier, validation, and field issues.
• Implement containment actions and drive permanent corrective actions.
• Support daily production meetings and manufacturing escalations; minimize downtime related to steering and brake system issues.

Launch & Program Support

• Support prototype, DV, PV, and production vehicle builds.
• Coordinate engineering change releases and plant implementation plans.
• Track launch issues and ensure timely closure.
• Support vehicle build events, launch reviews, production readiness reviews, and validation sign-off activities.

Manufacturing, Assembly & End-of-Line Support

• Support assembly robustness for steering and brake system installation, torque strategy, routing, clearances, bleeding, calibration, and end-of-line verification.
• Investigate stack-up, tolerance, alignment, packaging, and interface issues.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality to improve process capability and reduce rework and scrap.
• Support implementation of poka-yoke, process controls, and standardized troubleshooting methods.

System Performance, Supplier Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Interface directly with steering and brake system suppliers on production, quality, dimensional, durability, and functional concerns.
• Lead technical reviews and support supplier containment and corrective action implementation.
• Participate in supplier audits, launch readiness reviews, and ongoing quality improvement activities.
• Partner with Steering Design Engineering, Brake Systems Engineering, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Plant Operations.
• Develop predictive quality monitoring strategies using production, warranty, and issue tracking data.

Sustaining Engineering

• Responsible for the design and development of automotive chassis components and assemblies to deliver the highest level of performance in NVH, Durability, and Manufacturability while optimizing cost.
• Work closely with other stake owners and attribute owners across the company such as Core engineering, Vehicle Safety, Vehicle Dynamics, NVH, Durability, Manufacturing, Design Studio, etc.
• Cross-functionally work with Manufacturing, Design and Product Development as well as with Purchasing, Supplier Quality, and Suppliers on items such as tool buy-offs and secondary component changes.

Skills:

• Deep understanding of steering systems, brake systems, chassis interfaces, and vehicle dynamics fundamentals.
• Strong working knowledge of steering gear, steering columns, tie rods, brake calipers, rotors, hoses, brake controls, parking brake systems, and related assembly processes.
• Working knowledge of durability, NVH, functional safety considerations, manufacturing processes, GD&T, and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Proficiency with structured root cause analysis and corrective action methods.
• Working knowledge of DFMEA, PFMEA, DVP&R, production readiness reviews, and launch issue tracking.
• Hands-on troubleshooting mindset with the ability to support production floor issue resolution.
• Cross-functional leadership and communication skills across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supplier Quality, Purchasing, and Plant Operations.
• Six Sigma Black Belt, Green Belt, Shannin RedX or other equivalent problem-solving methodology.
• Experience in full life cycle development from concept to prototype to full production.
• Ability to create testing plans and conduct/coordinate physical tests to prove out design concepts and ensure performance targets are being achieved.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting GD&T.
• Coordinate virtual engineering and physical validation testing activities for your designs.
• Hands-on practical experience in prototype assembly and production assembly with the willingness to assemble your own parts.
• Be able to derive clamp load and torque values for critical joints.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive engineering, steering systems, brake systems, chassis systems, manufacturing engineering, or vehicle integration.
• Experience supporting vehicle launches and production operations.
• Strong understanding of steering systems, brake systems, chassis interfaces, vehicle dynamics fundamentals, durability engineering, manufacturing processes, GD&T, root cause analysis methodologies, DFMEA, PFMEA, and DVP&R.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership abilities.
• Experience with 3D CAD systems such as CATIA or similar software.
• Design release engineering experience including engineering change management and project management experience.

Compensation & Benefits:
The company offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays; paid sick leave; and a 401(k) retirement plan. Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employees accrue up to 160 hours paid time off. Eligible employees may also participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program. Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determined based on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Equal Opportunity:
We believe diversity strengthens everything we build and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws and regulations.

Accessibility:
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need any accommodation to participate in the application process, please reach out through the designated contact for accommodation requests.

Candidate Data Privacy:
By submitting your application, you understand and agree that your personal data will be processed in accordance with the Candidate Privacy Notice.