Job Title: Vehicle Engineer
Location: Winamac, IN
Employment Type: Full-Time
General Purpose:
The Vehicle Engineer is responsible for the end-to-end engineering and design of new vehicles, with a particular focus on wheelchair-accessible vehicle conversions. This role involves designing, integrating, and validating all vehicle systems while maintaining alignment with corporate objectives, quality standards, and cost targets. The engineer will lead projects from concept through production, ensuring reliable, innovative, and cost-effective solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Engineer, design, and develop new vehicle conversions using CAD software (Inventor).
- Design and integrate mechanisms, suspensions, structures, and closures (doors and liftgates).
- Plan and manage design, procurement, assembly, and validation processes in alignment with project timelines and APQP stage gates.
- Ensure all vehicle systems meet quality, cost, and performance objectives.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, and Product Portfolio teams to ensure design requirements are fully met.
- Recommend and implement low-cost design alternatives, common design solutions, and standardization across platforms.
- Build and test prototype vehicles, ensuring continuous improvement in design and process efficiency.
- Conduct and participate in design reviews to validate performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
- Review peer designs to identify potential design risks and ensure adherence to engineering best practices.
- Maintain a proactive approach to improving designs, processes, and project timelines.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Strong background in mechanism design and tolerance integration.
- In-depth understanding of vehicle engineering, system integration, and design reliability.
- Proficiency in structural design, sheet metal fabrication, welding processes, and LEAN principles.
- Knowledge of fuel, exhaust, cooling, and braking systems, as well as industry materials and standards.
- Experience designing closures and suspension systems.
- Familiarity with FEA, DFA/M, DOE, D/PFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T, and tolerance stack-up.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Prototype fabrication and welding experience preferred.
- Proficient in Inventor, AutoCAD, Vault, MS Office, Outlook, and Epicor (ERP).
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or related field required).
- Minimum 5 years of experience in automotive design or vehicle engineering.
- Previous assembly plant launch experience preferred.
- Working knowledge of dimensional management and GD&T principles.
- Experience in mechanism design and steel/aluminum part design and manufacturing.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
- Relocation assistance provided for eligible candidates.
- Entry-level to senior-level bonuses available, depending on experience and performance.
