Interior Design Release Engineer
Company: Optimal Inc.
Location: Warren
Posted on: February 16, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Job description: As an Interior
Design Release Engineer (DRE), you will be a technical authority in
Instrument Panel (IP), floor console (FC or decorative trim (deco)
while leading the engineering, integration, and launch of these
systems with an unwavering focus on safety, quality, technical
excellence, and flawless execution. You will drive disciplined
delivery to all vehicle development milestones, enable beautiful
design execution, and achieve cost, quality, mass, craftsmanship,
and performance targets across the vehicle portfolio. This role
requires strong engineering fundamentals, systems thinking, and
technical rigor, with hands on responsibility for CAD/package
integration, supplier collaboration, DFMEA/DFSS excellence, and
robust validation-from early product definition through launch.
Responsibilities Program & Technical Leadership Design,
development, analysis, implementation, and validation of the
complex instrument panel and console subsystems will be your day to
day duties. Perform engineering design evaluations and concept
development across vehicle programs Utilize engineering tools
(DFMEA, ICDs, PFMEA) and leverage CAE groups including Safety
Performance to successfully develop the best system solution
Assessment of design to manufacturing processes (e.g. injection
molding, vibration welding, vacuum forming, foam-in-place,
wrapping) Package components, manage CAD development through
supplier or GM designers and collaborate with other systems within
the vehicle (Thermal, Electrical, Body, Chassis, Restraints, etc.).
Ensure best practices are incorporated in the CAD and seeks support
when best practice not met. Schedule and lead Peer Reviews Work
cross-functionally to support initial vehicle configuration work,
realize cost optimization, deliver customer-driven requirements,
and implement product and process improvements Balance business
imperatives, including but not limited to cost, part count, mass,
complexity, timing, and content Communicate information to and from
internal and external customer organizations (e.g. Creative Design,
Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers) and lead the product
development team (PDT). Track and resolve open issues with support.
Review, support and apply benchmarking for design direction
competitiveness. Lead execution through change management process
to support workstreams and initiatives described above. Support in
the development of Statement of Requirements (SOR) Creation and
lead in the development of statements of work, key partner for
DFMEA/DRBFM/FEA Lead launch activities for your program and
commodity with a quality and on time execution mindset. Operational
Excellence & Enterprise Alignment Actively contribute to enterprise
initiatives: CAE driven design, virtual execution (including
"virtual by 2025"), automation, faster development, and enhanced
supply chain. Maintain process discipline through the project
development: crystal clear documentation, lessons learned read
across, risk registers, and disciplined engineering execution.
Drive change management rigor (concise problem statements,
alternatives, decisions, and impacts on cost, mass, timing, and
complexity). Use benchmarking to calibrate design direction
competitiveness and to inform BOM row strategies and
feature/content decisions. Foster a culture of accountability,
collaboration, and psychological safety within the PDT-escalate
risks early with facts and options. Strengthen knowledge management
(checklists, playbooks, templates, "golden references") and support
global alignment on standards and read across. Travel as needed
during development, integration, and launch phases (plant builds,
supplier trials, DV/PV events, craftsmanship audits) Required
Qualification: Education, Experience and Technical Depth Bachelor
of Science in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, Aerospace,
Materials or related). 8-10 years in the commodity: instrument
panel, floor console, and decorative trim development; end to end
exposure from early product definition through launch. Demonstrated
outstanding performance in subsystem ownership, issue resolution,
and on time delivery to vehicle development milestones. Sub system
expertise in injection molded trim, foam in place, thermoformed
skins, and cut and sew wrapping of substrates. Detailed knowledge
of IP, IP Structure, and Floor Console performance requirements,
applicable regulations, and best practices. Proven proficiency in
component/subsystem design and development, vehicle integration,
and design for manufacturability/automation. Mastery of
DFMEA/DRBFM, DVP&R development, ICDs, and PFMEA collaboration
with ME. Strong partnership with CAE (including Safety Performance)
to validate robustness and inform design iterations using data
driven decisions. DFSS Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred.
Demonstrated use of DFSS tools to prevent defects and enable read
across. Skills: Demonstrated ownership and urgency, with the
ability to manage competing priorities and drive clear outcomes on
cost, mass, complexity, timing, and content. Project management
capability; PMI/PMP preferred. Effective in change management
(clear problem framing, options with quantified impacts, and
decisive, documented approvals). Strong written and verbal
communication; able to lead PDTs and coordinate with Creative
Design, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers, and adjacent
systems (Thermal, Electrical, Body, Chassis, Restraints). Proven
ability to influence without authority, escalate appropriately, and
drive cross functional alignment. Tools & Software: Proficiency
with CAD workflows and release processes; ability to manage CAD
through supplier or GM designers, ensure best practices, and lead
peer reviews. Established knowledge of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel,
Project; experience with CAD/visualization tools (e.g., VisMockup,
NX/UniGraphics or similar).
Keywords: Optimal Inc., Taylor , Interior Design Release Engineer, Engineering , Warren, Michigan
