At least 5 years
Vehicle Architecture Engineer - Seating
Role Overview
The Vehicle Architecture Engineer is responsible for developing and integrating vehicle-level packaging solutions for Automotive Seating that balance engineering feasibility, design intent, and customer expectations. This role leads cross-functional efforts to resolve complex integration challenges while ensuring competitive, efficient, and customer-focused vehicle architectures.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, refine, and finalize engineering criteria in close collaboration with Creative Design.
- Lead the development of highly integrated engineering solutions to resolve packaging challenges while preserving design intent, using both physical and mathematical models.
- Apply DFSS methodologies to guide robust design decisions and trade-off studies, considering cost, mass, timing, assembly, dimensional variation, and other program requirements.
- Integrate global and regional requirements, developing solutions that meet brand and market-specific needs.
- Actively participate in and contribute to Expert Team discussions to identify, communicate, and resolve technical challenges.
- Ensure alignment between vehicle packaging and studio design while achieving key customer-focused metrics, including:
- Spaciousness
- Visibility
- Occupant accommodation
- Storage (SALT)
- Cargo capacity
- Accessibility
- Lead cross-functional surface development and integration meetings, including CITs and Surface Workgroups.
- Drive issue resolution and escalation within area of responsibility, ensuring timely and effective closure.
- Support development of design surfaces across digital models, full-scale clay models, clinic properties, and VR/MR environments.
- Benchmark competitive vehicles to ensure optimal packaging performance (e.g., section sizes, clearances, component layout, functional performance).
- Develop and manage meeting agendas; document and distribute meeting outcomes and action items.
- Create and maintain NX CAD models to guide surface and package development.
- Continuously strengthen NX (Unigraphics) CAD capabilities.
- Incorporate Voice of the Customer (VoC) into packaging decisions and architecture strategies.
- Develop space claims and packaging solutions that maximize interior and functional efficiency.
- Support Math-Based Virtual Assessments and Synch Point reviews.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
- 5+ years of relevant automotive or product engineering experience
- Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and automotive design principles
- Proven ability to integrate complex systems and solve challenging technical problems
- Proficiency in CAD (NX / Siemens Unigraphics preferred)
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes and design for assembly principles
- Working knowledge of engineering specifications and standards
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in cross-functional teams
- Effective interpersonal skills to engage across technical and non-technical stakeholders
Preferred (Optional Enhancement)
- Experience with vehicle architecture, packaging, or integration roles
- Exposure to DFSS, dimensional management, and variation analysis
- Experience working with studio/design teams and clay modeling processes
- Understanding of global vehicle program development processes
This is a Contract position based out of Warren, MI.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.00 - $47.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
This is a hybrid position in Warren,MI.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Jun 12, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
Posting ID: JP-006078477
