Product Engineer- Technology & Innovation

Group presentation

thyssenkrupp is an international industrial and technology group with more than 93,000 employees. In the fiscal year 2024/2025, the company generated sales of around €33 billion in 48 countries. Its business activities are bundled in five segments: Automotive Technology, Decarbon Technologies, Materials Services, Steel Europe and Marine Systems. With extensive technological know-how, outstanding engineering competence and a high level of innovative strength, the group develops solutions for the challenges of the future, especially in the fields of climate protection and energy transition, digital transformation in industry and mobility of the future.

Company presentation

thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, Inc. is a world class manufacturer of suspension solutions headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio USA. thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America supplies products to a wide range of Original Equipment Automotive Manufacturers as well as Aftermarket and Motorsports customers. Our Aftermarket operations are based out of Poway, CA and our Motorsports operations are based out of Mooresville, NC.

For decades, the name BILSTEIN has been synonymous with high tech in suspension design, driving comfort, and safety. In order to expand this position BILSTEIN became a division of thyssenkrupp Technologies AG in 1988, and a wholly owned subsidiary in 2005. This partnership has enabled us to continue the BILSTEIN tradition of excellence.

Your responsibilities

Summary:

Salary based on experience & education: $75,000 - $95,000

The Technology and Innovation Product Engineer is responsible for the concept and/or technology development of passive, semi-active, and active automotive shock absorber and strut technologies from idea conception through design validation, while demonstrating continuous consideration of customer expectations and organizational standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop shock absorber and strut component and assembly designs from initial concept through design validation.
• Explores potential application of new products, technology, and tools to improve and advance products and processes.
• Analyzes both internal and customer specifications to define design targets for new components/products/technologies.
• Designs products with consideration of many factors including safety, performance, tolerances, reliability, manufacturability, material costs, and process costs.
• Researches, performs calculations, and analyzes data such as customer design proposal, specifications, manuals, and test results to determine feasibility of design or application.
• Manages the coordination of prototype fabrication, installation, and testing activities to ensure products and systems conform to internal and customer requirements.
• Understands and applies root cause investigation and analysis tools to identify root cause, and implements permanent solutions.
• Presents design concepts, data, risks, opportunities, and proposals during Design Reviews, Drawing Reviews, Cross-Functional Team (CFT) meetings, customer meetings, supplier meetings, etc.
• Creates test plans and test requests, and coordinates all test activities. In addition to standard validation testing, this role often involves exploratory testing with undefined pass/fail criteria, requiring an ability to analyze results and propose modifications.
• Works collaboratively with internal and external customers, suppliers, and all potential stakeholders.
• Maintains a safe working environment by complying with all safety and environmental policies in the workplace. Advocates for and promotes a safe work environment by reporting Near Misses and/or other safety and environmental hazards, wearing all required PPE and encouraging others to do the same.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven experience in design for automotive manufacturing components (preferred).
• Strong background in automotive and suspensions (preferred).
• Understanding of material properties and characteristics of critically used materials such as steel, aluminum, sintered metals, rubber and plastic components, and various coatings.
• Ability to comprehend drawings and GD&T, and perform tolerance stackups.
• Ability to create concept designs using CAD software (Bilstein uses SolidWorks and Catia).
• Ability to perform basic FEA.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze more complex FEA and CFD results.
• Ability to effectively coordinate and present technical data and information to both small and large groups including key component suppliers and customers.
• Proven ability to read and interpret customer specifications and industry standards.
• Self-starter able to work without day-to-day direction and accountable for assignment completion.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office Products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Creative and open-minded with positive attitude and interest in innovation.
• Strong project management skills with proven ability to prioritize, plan, monitor, and control multiple projects from start to finish ensuring everyone meets their deadlines.
• Highly organized with ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Exhibits integrity through fair and ethical behaviors in all activities; maintains accountability for performance.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and attention to detail with relevant hands-on experience.
• Well-developed organization and communication skills.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

The [above] is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.