Development Lead - Front End Closures

Job Title: Body Closures Development Lead - Front End Closures

Department: Vehicle Engineering / Body Engineering

Reports To: Body Closures Engineering Manager

Location: Auburn Hills, MI Chrysler Technical Center

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

The Body Closures Development Lead is responsible for leading the design, development and validation of front-end closure systems including hoods, fenders and hinges. This role ensures that closure systems and standards meet performance, durability, safety, manufacturing, cost, and quality targets throughout the product development lifecycle.

The Development Lead Engineer coordinates cross-functional teams across design, CAE, manufacturing, supplier engineering, purchasing, and program management to deliver production-ready closure systems for new vehicle programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead engineers for development of body closure systems from concept through production launch
• Own closure system performance targets including fit & finish, sealing, stiffness, NVH, durability, ergonomics, and safety
• Manage technical deliverables aligned with vehicle program timing and milestones
• Lead cross-functional design reviews, best practice alignment and conformance and engineering sign-offs

Engineering Development

• Lead engineers to develop and release closure system components including:
• Hood assemblies
• Hinges
• Struts / props
• Fenders and brackets
• System level interfaces and functions
• Ensure compliance with vehicle packaging, crash safety, and regulatory requirements
• Drive robust design solutions balancing mass, cost, manufacturability, and performance

Supplier & Manufacturing Collaboration

• Lead technical collaboration with tier-1 suppliers and tooling vendors
• Support design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) activities
• Work with manufacturing teams on stamping feasibility, hemming processes, assembly strategy, and tolerance stack-ups
• Support tooling kick-off, best practice and production readiness reviews

Validation & Testing

• Define and support validation plans, durability testing, slam testing, corrosion testing
• Environmental sealing validation
• Structural and stiffness validation
• Work with CAE teams to ensure simulation results meet program targets

Launch Support

• Support prototype builds and pre-production builds
• Resolve engineering issues identified during DV/PV testing and manufacturing trials
• Provide engineering support during vehicle launch activities

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field
• Minimum of 8 years of automotive engineering experience with focus on body structures or closures

Proven Experience Developing

• Door systems
• Hood or liftgate systems
• Hinges and latch systems
• Experience with automotive product development processes (APQP, DFMEA, DV/PV testing).
• Strong understanding of sheet metal design, stamping, hemming, and assembly processes.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (CATIA, NX, or equivalent).
• Experience working with tier-1 suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading engineers or technical teams.
• Knowledge of tolerance stack-up analysis and GD&T.
• Familiarity with aluminum and mixed-material closure systems.
• Experience with electric vehicle platforms and lightweighting strategies

Key Competencies

• Technical leadership
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Problem solving and root cause analysis
• Program management and prioritization
• Communication and stakeholder alignment

Key Performance Metrics

• Closure system performance against NVH, durability, and fit/finish targets
• On-time engineering deliverables aligned with program milestones
• Cost and mass targets achievement
• Successful DV/PV validation and launch readiness

Our Benefits — Designed With You In Mind

Comprehensive Health & Well-being Coverage

From your very first day, you’ll have access to medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage — ensuring you and your family stay healthy and protected. Also, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support for personal and professional challenges, always ready when you need it.

Family Building Benefit

We proudly support all paths to parenthood- including fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy.

Generous Paid Time Off

We believe in work-life balance. That’s why we offer: 17+ paid holidays, including shut-down from December 24th through New Years Day every year. Vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time and fully paid parental leave when your family needs you most.

Competitive Retirement Savings Plans

We Help You Plan For The Future With

• An employer match on contributions to your 401k, Roth, and Catch-Up plans
• An employer contribution, even if you don’t contribute

Income Protection & Insurance Options

Benefit from both employer-provided and voluntary plan offerings, including life insurance, group accident, critical illness, etc. - supporting the needs of you and your family and ensuring peace of mind.

Company Vehicle Lease Program

Eligible employees and their immediate families can participate in the company vehicle lease program, providing access to Stellantis vehicles with insurance, maintenance, and unlimited miles included. Plus, take advantage of exclusive discounts on Stellantis products.

Support for Your Growth and Giving Back

We believe in investing in your future and your passions:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan refinancing programs
• 18 paid volunteer hours each year to make a difference in your community

And so much more!

When you join us, you’re not just building a career — you’re joining a company that supports you, inside and outside of work.

At Stellantis, we assess candidates based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applications from all people without regard to sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any characteristic protected by law. We believe that diverse teams reflect our identity as a global company, enabling us to better address the evolving needs of our customers and care for our future.

EOE / Disability / Veteran