Summary

The Toyoda Gosei Group is a leading global manufacturer of rubber and plastic automotive components, safety systems and LEDs. Globally Headquartered in Japan with a network of 67 group companies in 17 countries and regions, the Group brings its extensive range of products to customers all over the world.

Toyoda Gosei North America (headquartered in Troy, MI) has an opening for a Principal Engineer in the Exterior Plastics Engineering department. The Principal Engineer functions with a high degree of autonomy, and is responsible for providing professional level product development and engineering for our Interior and Exterior Plastics commodity within Toyoda Gosei North America Corporation (TGNA) and TGNA Manufacturing Companies (NAMCs).

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead research and development efforts to innovate new automotive technologies, materials, or processes that can improve vehicle performance, efficiency, and safety.
• Assess and mitigate risks associated with design decisions, anticipating potential issues and implementing strategies to address them proactively.
• Negotiate designs that satisfy customer styling and engineering requirement while ensuring manufacturability and profitability
• Develop design proposals for automotive Interior / Exterior parts and components utilizing 2D & 3D design tools
• Conduct benchmarking and analysis of competitors’ components and emerging technology
• Serve as an asset on company resources in the areas of design, analysis, measurement, bench testing, vehicle testing, & prototyping.
• Develop technical reports, open items list, and internal/external presentations
• Improve designs and define new design guidelines to improve quality, productivity and profit
• Create and maintain procedures and records of product development as required by our quality system
• Work with customers and internal groups to resolve functional design problems, and open list items in preparation of design release
• Develop drawings as necessary and participate in Design FMEA
• Develop new technology by partnering with customers, new suppliers, and working with emerging technologies, with minimal guidance
• Continue to improve the product development process to provide a higher level of service to our customers
• Serve as an expert in engineering project management, automotive part design, and injection molding
• Provide technical, project, and other guidance as needed to other Engineering team members
• Drive optimization by being actively engaged in continuous improvement efforts
• Function in a highly collaborative environment where flexibility and teamwork are critical to success

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor degree in Engineering is required; Mechanical Engineering (BSME) is preferred
• 8+ years of relevant work experience required
• 3D CAD modeling of plastic injection part is required – CATIA V5 preferred
• Strong Knowledge of plastic component design and injection tooling is required
• Thorough understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerance is required
• Demonstrable ability to effectively manage multiple engineering projects/timelines
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suites 2016 or newer is required
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines is required
• Effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills with all staff and management are required
• Effective attention to detail, problem solving and organizational skills is required

Benefits (subject to eligibility):

• Hybrid Work Style (if eligible)
• Insurance (Health, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Program)
• Company Paid STD, LTD, Life, and AD&D
• Generous Employer Contribution to HSA
• Short and Long Term Disability
• 401K Company Match
• Paid Time Off/Holidays
• Free Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Reimbursement Programs (Cellphone, Tuition, Vehicle, etc.)
• Multiple Free Wellness Programs Offered