Product Engineer

Job Title: Product EngineerJob Description

The Product Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, validating, and launching steering system components for major automotive OEMs. This role supports products throughout the full development lifecycle, from customer requirements and concept development through production launch and ongoing engineering support. The position offers exposure to new vehicle programs, customer-facing engineering, product launches, and advanced steering technologies within a global automotive supplier environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop steering columns, intermediate shafts, steering joints, and related components.

• Review customer requirements and create engineering specifications and design solutions.

• Lead or participate in customer, supplier, and internal design reviews.

• Support APQP activities and product launches from concept through SOP.

• Create and maintain engineering drawings, documentation, BOMs, and design changes.

• Coordinate prototype builds, validation testing, and engineering evaluations.

• Work closely with manufacturing teams to improve quality, cost, and manufacturability.

• Troubleshoot product, manufacturing, and customer issues while implementing corrective actions.

• Support engineering change management and ongoing production improvements.

• Drive VA/VE and cost reduction initiatives.

• Analyze test data and develop recommendations for product improvements.

• Collaborate with suppliers, quality teams, purchasing, and program management throughout the product lifecycle.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

• 4+ years of Product Engineering, Design Engineering, Development Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering experience within the automotive industry.

• Experience supporting products through the full development lifecycle, including concept design, product development, validation, and production launch.

• Working knowledge of APQP, engineering change management, validation testing, and automotive product development processes.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, and technical requirements.

• Experience collaborating with customers, suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and cross-functional engineering teams.

• Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and project execution skills.

• Willingness to travel up to 20% to customer sites, suppliers, testing facilities, and manufacturing plants.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 6-8+ years of product engineering experience within automotive manufacturing.

• Experience with steering systems, driveline components, chassis systems, or other mechanical automotive assemblies.

• Product launch experience within a Tier 1 supplier environment.

• Hands-on experience with prototype builds, validation testing, and engineering evaluations.

• Experience supporting OEM customers and customer-facing engineering activities.

• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes and Design for Manufacturability (DFM).

• Experience driving VA/VE, cost reduction, and product optimization initiatives.

• CAD experience with NX, CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks, or similar design software.

• Knowledge of automotive quality requirements, APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, and control plans.

Work Environment

The work environment involves working closely with various teams including customers, suppliers, manufacturing, and quality teams. It requires travel up to 20% to customer sites, suppliers, testing facilities, and manufacturing plants. The role offers exposure to new vehicle programs and advanced steering technologies within a global automotive supplier environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $80.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Ann Arbor,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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 [email protected] 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.