The Design Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, and production release of automotive aftermarket suspension products. This role converts product requirements, benchmark information, test data, and manufacturing inputs into robust, manufacturable designs that meet performance, durability, cost, fitment, and customer expectations.
The engineer will own assigned products from concept through launch and post-launch improvement, including 3D CAD, technical drawings, specifications, tolerance analysis, prototype coordination, design verification, engineering changes, and cross-functional problem solving. Prior automotive suspension experience is preferred, but it is not required for a candidate with strong mechanical design fundamentals, hands-on aptitude, and the ability to learn suspension technology quickly.
- Product Design and Development
- Design new suspension products, product improvements, components, fixtures, and engineering changes from concept through production release.
- Create and maintain accurate 3D CAD models, assemblies, 2D drawings, bills of material, product specifications, and engineering release documentation.
- Translate customer, vehicle, packaging, performance, cost, and manufacturing requirements into clear engineering design inputs and measurable outputs.
- Apply sound mechanical design principles to shock absorbers, struts, air springs, compressors, mounting hardware, bushings, seals, and related assemblies.
2.Engineering Analysis and Design Quality
- Perform tolerance stack-ups, fit and clearance studies, material selection, fastener assessments, and design-for-manufacturability and design-for-assembly reviews.
- Apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and drawing practices appropriate to function, manufacturability, inspection, and supplier capability.
- Lead or support design reviews and Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) activities to identify and reduce technical risk before release.
- Use engineering calculations, first-principles analysis, test data, and simulation tools when appropriate to support design decisions.
3.Benchmarking and Reverse Engineering
- Evaluate original equipment and competitive products to understand architecture, materials, interfaces, performance, manufacturing methods, and opportunities for improvement.
- Plan and document dimensional inspection, teardown, functional evaluation, vehicle fitment, and benchmark testing.
- Develop design concepts that achieve required function and fit while respecting intellectual property, safety, quality, and business requirements.
4.Prototype, Validation, and Testing
- Coordinate the build, inspection, and evaluation of prototypes and pre-production samples with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Develop Design Verification Plans and Reports (DVP&R) addressing dimensional, functional, durability, environmental, vehicle-level, and application-specific requirements.
- Analyze test results, identify failure modes and trends, document conclusions, and recommend design improvements or additional testing.
- Participate in hands-on laboratory work, vehicle installation, troubleshooting, and testing as needed.
5.New Product Introduction and Production Support
- Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities including design readiness, supplier technical reviews, prototype builds, validation, pilot production, and launch readiness.
- Provide clear technical direction to Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Sales, and supplier partners regarding drawings, specifications, product function, and design intent.
- Resolve design-related issues involving fitment, assembly, durability, noise, vibration, harshness, leakage, performance, materials, tolerances, or supplier capability.
- Create and process engineering change requests and ensure affected models, drawings, bills of material, specifications, and validation records remain aligned.
6.Product Improvement and Technical Support
- Investigate field returns, warranty concerns, installation issues, and product performance concerns when engineering support is required.
- Use structured problem-solving methods such as 5-Why, Fishbone analysis, Fault Tree Analysis, and Design of Experiments where appropriate.
- Recommend corrective design actions and verify their effectiveness through analysis, inspection, or testing.
- Contribute to design standards, lessons learned, reusable design practices, and continuous improvement of the product development process.
7.Documentation and Collaboration
- Prepare concise technical reports, test summaries, specifications, presentations, and design review materials.
- Maintain organized engineering records and communicate technical information clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Manage assigned priorities and deliverables while collaborating across functions, locations, and supplier organizations.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Environment and Physical Activity
Work is performed in office, engineering laboratory, warehouse, production, supplier, and vehicle service environments as assignments require.
Ability to safely handle components, tools, and test equipment and to perform vehicle or bench-level product evaluations with reasonable accommodation.
Periodic travel to suppliers, customers, test facilities, or other company locations may be required based on project needs.
Safety awareness and compliance with safety regulations is vital. Workers must wear special safety equipment such as masks, gloves, and safety glasses.
Position Requirements
The qualifications below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities normally associated with successful performance in this role. A candidate may demonstrate equivalent capability through a combination of education, experience, and relevant project work.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline required; equivalent education and directly relevant experience may be considered based on business need.
- One to four years of experience in mechanical product design, product development, manufacturing engineering, test engineering, or a related technical role preferred.
- Automotive industry experience is preferred. Experience with suspension systems, shock absorbers, struts, air suspension, compressors, elastomeric components, or mechanical assemblies is a strong advantage but is not required.
CAD, Drawings, and Engineering Methods
- Proficiency with SolidWorks or comparable parametric 3D CAD software, including parts, assemblies, and production drawings.
- Ability to interpret and create engineering drawings and specifications using GD&T, dimensional tolerancing, and standard drafting practices.
- Working knowledge of material properties, manufacturing processes, tolerance analysis, mechanical testing, and design for manufacturability.
- Familiarity with engineering change control, bills of material, product lifecycle management, or enterprise resource planning systems preferred.
Tools and Technical Skills
- Ability to use common measurement and inspection equipment such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, dial indicators, thread gauges, and basic electrical test equipment.
- Comfort working hands-on with prototypes, mechanical assemblies, test fixtures, laboratory equipment, and vehicles.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis tools; ability to organize data and communicate technical conclusions clearly.
- Finite element analysis, computational analysis, data acquisition, or test instrumentation experience is beneficial but not required.
Professional Skills
- Strong mechanical aptitude and a logical, detail-oriented approach to problem solving.
- Ability to balance technical performance, cost, timing, manufacturability, quality, and customer requirements.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work productively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
- Self-directed, organized, and capable of managing multiple assignments with appropriate guidance and accountability.
- Curiosity and willingness to rapidly learn automotive suspension principles, vehicle fitment, product applications, and Arnott product development practices.
Preferred Candidate Profile
- A hands-on mechanical designer who enjoys converting product requirements and benchmark findings into well-documented, production-ready designs.
- Comfortable moving between CAD, drawings, prototype hardware, laboratory testing, supplier discussions, and vehicle-level fitment.
- Experienced in automotive suspension or eager to build that expertise through structured learning and practical product development work.
- A practical problem solver who takes ownership, asks good technical questions, uses data, and communicates risks and decisions clearly.
Job Description Acknowledgement
This job description summarizes the primary duties and qualifications of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the role. Responsibilities may change based on business needs. Arnott Suspension Products will consider qualified applicants consistent with applicable employment laws and company policy.
Note for internal review: Confirm final reporting relationship, work location, travel expectations, physical requirements, and any company-standard equal employment opportunity language before external posting.
- The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of positions given this title and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments. Specific job-related duties assigned by hiring departments shall be consistent with the representative essential functions listed above and shall not be construed as expanding a particular position’s role, scope, FLSA status, or grade.
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