What are the responsibilities and job description for the Engineer - Automotive Visors position at Piston Interiors?
We are currently seeking an Automotive Sunvisor Development Engineer who would be responsible for the design, development, validation, and launch support of automotive sunvisor systems, including LED vanity mirror systems and related interior overhead components. This role supports product development from concept through production, ensuring designs meet customer requirements, performance targets, cost objectives, manufacturability, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. The engineer works closely with OEM customers, suppliers, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, and program management teams to deliver robust, production-ready sunvisor and LED vanity
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead development of automotive sunvisor systems from concept through production launch.
- Lead the development and integration of LED vanity mirror systems, including illumination performance, electrical interfaces, packaging, thermal management, appearance, validation, and production launch.
- Convert customer requirements and vehicle packaging needs into feasible engineering solutions.
- Create and maintain engineering documentation, drawings, CAD data, BOMs, DFMEA’s, DVP&R’s, DFA’s and specifications.
- Support design reviews, prototype builds, validation testing, and engineering changes.
- Work with suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to resolve product and launch issues.
- Support APQP, PPAP, customer reviews, engineering sign-off, and production launch readiness.
- Provide on-site support at PI manufacturing facilities as required to drive product development, continuous improvement, and successful program launches. (Travel to Mexico Required)
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, product engineering, plastics engineering, or related technical field required.
- 5 years of experience in automotive product development, preferably with sunvisors, overhead systems, interior trim, mechanisms, plastics, or soft trim components.
- Experience working with OEM customers and Tier 1 automotive suppliers preferred.
- Experience with design release, engineering change management, prototype builds, validation testing, and production launch support.
- Knowledge of automotive development processes including APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, DFM/DFA, DV/PV testing, and IATF 16949 requirements.
- Experience with plastic injection molded components, metal brackets, clips, fasteners, fabrics, foam, adhesives, mirrors, lighting, or small electrical assemblies is preferred.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with demonstrated experience leading issue resolution activities using DMAIC and 8D methodologies. (Six Sigma or Kepner-Tregoe (KT) is a plus.)
Technical Skills
- Knowledge of automotive sunvisor systems, interior trim components, and related materials.
- Technical knowledge of LED vanity mirror development, including LEDs, light guides and diffusers, wiring and connectors, electrical interfaces, photometric performance, thermal considerations, and applicable validation requirements.
- Proficiency with CAD tools and engineering documentation, including drawings, BOMs, and specifications.
- Understanding of design validation, DFMEA, GD&T, APQP, PPAP, and engineering change processes.
- Ability to troubleshoot products, manufacturing, launch, quality, and customer-related issues.
- Strong communication, project management, analytical, creative, innovative, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.