Cooling Systems DRE

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and technical Design Release Engineer (DRE) – Cooling Systems to lead the design, development, validation, and engineering release of advanced thermal and cooling components for electrified vehicles. In this role, you will take end-to-end component ownership of critical thermal management hardware including cooling module assemblies, transmission oil coolers, hose/tube assemblies, electric coolant heaters, control valves, electric pumps, and air induction systems. You will drive technical execution, lead supplier collaboration, and partner with cross-functional engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure optimal vehicle performance, thermal efficiency, and quality.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Component Ownership: Lead the design, packaging, release, and physical integration of electrified vehicle cooling components and thermal loops from concept phase through production launch.
• Quality & Risk Documentation: Author, maintain, and execute comprehensive Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Design Verification Plans & Reports (DVP&R) to ensure rigorous risk management and physical testing validation.
• Supplier & APQP Management: Direct Tier-1 cooling suppliers to align with technical specifications, tooling schedules, and program timing milestones using Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) principles. Lead root-cause analysis for component or supplier-related quality issues.
• CAE Simulation & Design Optimization: Utilize Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis, fluid dynamics evaluations, and thermal simulations to optimize component efficiency, flow characteristics, and cooling performance.
• Manufacturing & Integration Alignment: Collaborate closely with assembly plant operations, quality engineering, and physical validation teams to seamlessly integrate thermal hardware into the vehicle architecture.
• Methodology Execution: Apply Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodologies to continuously elevate component reliability, quality, and manufacturing robustness.

Qualifications & Skill Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Engineering, or a related discipline (Advanced degree is a plus) .
• Experience: Minimum 3+ years of direct engineering experience in automotive product development, specifically focused on designing and releasing cooling system components for hybrid or electric vehicles (EV/HEV).
• Cooling Systems Expertise: Strong technical understanding of heat exchangers, electric motor-driven fan modules, engine-driven fans/clutches, coolant loops, fluid dynamics, low-voltage/high-voltage electrical circuits, and electric motors.
• CAD & PLM Tools: Hands-on proficiency in 3D CAD modeling using CATIA V5 and/or Siemens NX (Unigraphics), along with digital mock-up and product lifecycle management software (Vis Mockup, Teamcenter).
• Thermal Analysis Knowledge: Familiarity with thermal simulation and fluid dynamics software tools (e.g., KULI, STAR-CCM+).
• Quality Frameworks: Practical experience applying DFMEA, DVP&R, DFSS, and APQP frameworks within an automotive OEM or Tier-1 supplier environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with Electric Vehicle (EV) heat pumps, battery thermal management loops, or electric drivetrain fluid cooling.
• Proven track record of supporting prototype builds and assembly plant vehicle launches.