Lead and develop the plastic parts engineering team (design, validation, release)
Oversee the design and development of plastic components (interior, exterior, under-hood) in line with performance, cost, and quality targets
Ensure compliance with functional requirements (thermal resistance, chemical compatibility, mechanical strength, aesthetics)
Drive DFM/DFA activities, ensuring manufacturability of injection-molded parts
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (Tooling, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Suppliers)
Lead technical reviews, design validations, and risk assessments (DFMEA, design reviews, tolerance analysis)
Manage project timelines, deliverables, and KPIs across the full product lifecycle
Support tooling development, including mold design validation and trial phases (T0–T3)
Ensure proper material selection and validation (thermoplastics, composites, reinforced materials)
Monitor part performance through testing and CAE validation (e.g., warpage, shrinkage, durability)
Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to cost optimization, weight reduction, and sustainability
Support issue resolution during industrialization and serial production (problem-solving, root cause analysis)

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or a related field
Experience in automotive plastic parts development (interior, exterior, and/or under-hood components)
Knowledge of injection molding processes and tooling (mold design, cooling, gating, ejection systems)
Proficiency in CAD tools (CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX or similar)
Experience with PLM systems
Familiarity with CAE tools for plastic parts
Understanding of material properties and selection (thermoplastics, reinforced plastics, additives)
Knowledge of DFM/DFA principles and plastic part design guidelines (ribbing, draft angles, wall thickness, shrinkage)
Experience with automotive standards and methodologies
Strong problem-solving skills and experience with root cause analysis
Ability to work in a cross-functional and international environment
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Lead Engineer, Plastic Parts

Key skills