Design & Release Engineer - Interior Mechanisms (Automotive)

Location: Troy, Michigan, USA; onsite role. Must have immediate, ongoing, and valid eligibility to work full time in the United States through US citizenship, a Green Card, TN, or E-3 Visa Holder Status. Travel up to 10% is required.

Company

hirify.global provides design and engineering services to the automotive industry and global OEMs from concept to production. The client is an American automotive manufacturer developing purpose-built electric vehicles focused on simplicity, modular design, and customer customisation.

What you will do

• Lead the design, development, validation, and launch of phone and iPad holder systems, including spring-loaded clamps, detent mechanisms, friction-based retention, and multi-axis adjustability.
• Ensure packaging compatibility, interface alignment, system functionality, and integration with cockpit, console, HVAC, body structures, soft trim, electrical systems, and restraints.
• Define kinematics, usability, ergonomic reach, functional objectives, critical characteristics, and safety and performance targets.
• Lead supplier, internal technical, design, component integration, and milestone reviews; resolve packaging and design issues through technical trade-offs.
• Deliver quality and reliability targets with PPAP documentation, validate mechanism systems and test results, and support prototype builds, DV/PV, and launch readiness.
• Accommodate accessories and interfacing components, including removable trim covers, speaker systems, attaching hardware, and joint designs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive mechanism system engineering.
• Application-specific experience in at least three of the following: mechanical mechanisms such as springs, hinges, and detents; interior FMVSS, IIHS, and other third-party rating validation; plastic part design and injection molding; handheld device interfaces and HMI design.
• Experience working within a PLM system, 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 trade-offs and optimized solutions with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Adaptability and proactive working style in fast-paced startup and new-model launch environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.
• Proof of immediate, ongoing, and valid eligibility to work full time in the United States through US citizenship, a Green Card, TN, or E-3 Visa Holder Status.

Nice to have

• Master's degree.

Culture & Benefits

• Contract role supporting an expanding automotive engineering team.
• Work on a new generation of purpose-built electric vehicles.
• Employment is at will.
• Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Hiring process

• Submit an application for review.
• A recruiter will contact selected applicants.