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Customer Engineering Lead - Seating Systems
Division:  FAS DIV NORTH AMERICA
Contract Type: 
Job Location:  AUBURN HILLS HQ R&D
Job Description: 

Forvia, a sustainable mobility technology leader

We pioneer technology for mobility experience that matter to people.

Your mission, roles and responsibilities

Overall responsibilities and duties:

 

The Customer Engineering Lead is responsible for leading the product design and development for various complete seat, frame, and mechanism acquisitions.  Key responsibilities include customer interface, aligning designs with customer and Forvia specifications, and leading the design and engineering teams.

 

The main missions of the role are:
  • Responsible for delivering an approved technical offer at Program Quote Review.
  • Responsible for delivering BOM’s, CAD, and powerpoint presentations for the technical offer.
  • Interact closely with the design, engineering, manufacturing, costing, quality and purchasing personnel within multiple acquisition product teams to develop, review, analyze, release, optimize, integrate and technically implement existing and new mechanisms, frames, and complete seat designs into new seating applications.
  • Work closely with the validation department to develop test plans and confirm proper product performance.  Understand test lab capabilities then review results for being accurate and complete.  Maintain familiarity with internal and customer test specifications.
  • Lead FEA activities as needed for all new designs.
  • Lead customer engineering interface and technical presentations.
  • Work closely with the design and engineering team members that are part of the global acquisition network.
  • Provide information and recommendations both internally and externally to customers of available off the shelf products including trade-offs of cost, timing, innovation, and performance.
  • Maintain close contact with the engineering teams in NAO, Europe, Asia, and South America.
  • Provide VA/VE ideas to improve products.
  • Follow new mechanism and frame developments from the division leads in France and Germany maintaining a database of available core products in each manufacturing location.
  • Maintain familiarity with all innovation projects as they may apply to future acquisitions.
  • Develop and take responsibility for engineering budgets for assigned acquisitions.
  • Assist in maintaining customer data management (CAD/Specs/…).
  • Propose continuous improvement ideas in business efficiency and cost reduction.
  • Capitalize on knowledge and share best practices / lessons learned across organization and within the site.

 

 

Your profile and competencies to succeed

Knowledge / Skills:

 
  • Good interpersonal skills - ability to work closely with customers both external and internal as well as local and worldwide.  Must be able to lead technical presentations and technical customer interface.
  • Willingness to occasionally travel for short periods to support global acquisitions.
  • Willingness to flex time in order to support acquisitions with global teams.
  • Detail orientated.  The cost of quoted designs is dictated by the BOM owned by the Technical Acquisition Engineer.
  • Ability to take on multiple tasks, define priorities, show daily progress, and meet defined completion timing.
  • Understanding of mechanical force transmittal, material analysis, and drawing reading and tolerance.
  • Trained in the use and proper application of GD&T using ASTM and ISO Standards.
  • Knowledge/experience working with seat mechanisms, seat frames, and complete seat.
  • Knowledge of automotive seating applications and requirements.
  • Ability to visualize 3D using a CAD viewer.  Knowledge of Catia and/or NX is preferred.
  • Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
  • Knowledge of testing methods and standards.
  • Ability to work 'hands-on' with seats in metal shop, JIT shop, and test labs.
  • Ability to analyze installed components within a complete vehicle interior.

 

Education / Experience:

 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in seating systems (7+ years preferred), with at least 3–4 years in product design & development.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship, now or in the future. 

 

What we can do for you

  • At Forvia, you will find an engaging and dynamic environment where you can contribute to the development of sustainable mobility leading technologies.  
  • We are the seventh-largest global automotive supplier, employing more than 157,000 people in more than 40 countries which makes a lot of opportunity for career development. 
  • We welcome energetic and agile people who can thrive in a fast-changing environment. People who share our strong values. Team players with a collaborative mindset and a passion to deliver high standards for our clients. Lifelong learners. High performers. Globally minded people who aspire to work in a transforming industry, where excellence, speed, and quality count. 
  • We cultivate a learning environment, dedicating tools and resources to ensure we remain at the forefront of mobility.  Our people enjoy an average of more than 22 hours of online and in-person training within FORVIA University (five campuses around the world) 
  • We offer a multicultural environment that values diversity and international collaboration. We believe that diversity is a strength. To create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity create real value for the company, we have adopted gender diversity targets and inclusion action plans. 
  • Achieving CO2 Net Zero as a pioneer of the automotive industry is a priority: In June 2022, Forvia became the first global automotive group to be certified with the new SBTI Net-Zero Standard (the most ambitious standard of SBTi), aligned with the ambition of the 2015 Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Three principles guide our action: use less, use better and use longer, with a focus on recyclability and circular economy. 

Why join us

FORVIA is an automotive technology group at the heart of smarter and more sustainable mobility. We bring together expertise in electronics, clean mobility, lighting, interiors, seating, and lifecycle solutions to drive change in the automotive industry.

With a history stretching back more than a century, we are the 7th largest global automotive supplier, employing more than 157,000 people in 43 countries. You'll find our technology in around 1 out of 2 vehicles produced anywhere in the world.

In June 2022, we became the 1st global automotive group to be certified with the SBTI Net-Zero Standard. We have committed to reach CO2 Net Zero by no later than 2045.

As technological innovation and the need for sustainability transform the automotive industry, we are ideally positioned to deliver solutions that will enhance the lives of road-users everywhere.
 
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