Design Release Engineer
We are seeking an experienced Design Release Engineer (DRE) to support our client in Windsor, Ontario. This is a hybrid position requiring approximately 1–2 days per week onsite, with occasional plant visits. Some travel to the U.S. may be required but is not mandatory.
Position Overview
The Design Release Engineer will be responsible for driving engineering activities from concept through validation, release, and production. This role requires someone who is highly autonomous, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of their work with minimal direction.
The successful candidate will know how to identify what needs to be done, engage the appropriate stakeholders, follow issues through resolution, and keep projects moving forward without requiring day-to-day oversight.
While previous transmission or driveline experience is beneficial, it is not required. The priority is finding a strong automotive DRE or product engineer with excellent project coordination, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
What You Will Be Doing
- Own and coordinate design and release activities from development through production
- Independently manage assigned components, deliverables, timing, and open issues
- Drive projects forward with minimal supervision and proactively address risks or roadblocks
- Coordinate activities across engineering, suppliers, validation, manufacturing, purchasing, and other key stakeholders
- Manage engineering changes and ensure required actions and approvals are completed on time
- Coordinate DVP&R and validation activities, including component, system, bench, and vehicle testing
- Work with technical teams to drive root-cause investigation and resolution of engineering issues
- Lead supplier communication, design reviews, technical discussions, and required approvals
- Develop, maintain, and coordinate engineering documentation, including DFMEA, DVP&R, technical specifications, and requirements
- Track project status and clearly communicate risks, issues, timing, and required actions to stakeholders
- Support vehicle builds, production launches, and plant-related issues as needed
- Prepare and present design reviews, project updates, and technical information
- Manage multiple priorities and programs while maintaining ownership of commitments and deliverables
- Identify opportunities to improve product quality, reliability, cost, and engineering processes
What You'll Need to Be Successful
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical field
- 3+ years of automotive engineering experience
- Experience in a Design Release Engineer, Product Engineer, Component Engineer, Project Engineer, or similar role
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and take ownership of projects and deliverables
- Strong project coordination and organizational skills with the ability to drive activities to completion
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - the ability to work effectively with suppliers, engineering teams, manufacturing, management, and other cross-functional stakeholders is essential
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and programs in a fast-paced environment
- Strong problem-solving skills and experience driving technical issues through resolution
- Experience coordinating design changes, validation activities, engineering documentation, and/or product releases
- Experience working with automotive suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams
Preferred Qualifications
- Transmission, driveline, powertrain, or related component experience
- Experience with DVP&R and DFMEA
- Experience supporting vehicle builds, launches, or manufacturing plants
- Familiarity with engineering root-cause and problem-solving methodologies
- Understanding of GD&T and engineering drawings
- Familiarity with NX and/or CATIA
- Experience developing or managing technical specifications and engineering requirements
- Ability to travel to U.S. locations as needed is a plus
What Will Make Someone Successful in This Role
This position is best suited for someone who is self-directed, accountable, action-oriented, and comfortable making things happen without constant direction. Strong interpersonal skills are critical. The individual must be able to build relationships, communicate effectively across different teams, and confidently drive people and activities toward completion.
This is not an analyst-focused position. The emphasis is on ownership, coordination, communication, project execution, and getting results.
