Senior Design Engineer in Bowling Green, Kentucky at Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products

Job Title: Senior Design Engineer
Classification: Exempt
Department: Product Development
Reports to: Mgr., Product Development
* This is an in-person role located in Bowling Green, KY *

Position Summary:
The Senior Design Engineer is responsible for leading technical design initiatives for automotive suspension components. This role involves developing conceptual and final design solutions, managing project activities, supporting existing product lines, and providing expert guidance to Kobelco aluminum-suspension teams on design and development matters.
Key Responsibilities:

• Design aluminum components for automotive suspension systems, including control arms, knuckles, links, and wheel carriers.
• Perform project activities such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and prepare detailed reports.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for product design, liaising with internal teams and external customers.
• Create 3D models and 2D drawings in compliance with applicable standards.
• Lead technical design reviews with local and international Kobe teams.
• Analyze customer proposals, specifications, and related data to assess feasibility, cost, and production requirements.
• Manage product development from concept through tooling, testing, and production launch.
• Develop and maintain project schedules to meet customer expectations.
• Travel as needed for design reviews, customer meetings, and to support Kobelco Sales and Manufacturing groups.
• Provide technical advice to engineering and manufacturing teams on design-related matters.
• Simulate forging processes to assist manufacturing operations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and time management abilities.
• Ability to thrive in a multicultural environment.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling (CATIA, NX).
• Experience with simulation software such as Abaqus and Forge NXT.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to read and comprehend basic English
• Ability to follow instructions

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (4-year program).
• Minimum of 5 years of design experience in the automotive sector.
• Expertise in 3D CAD and FEA required.
• Familiarity with automotive components and terminology preferred.
• Prior experience in a Japanese-owned company is a plus.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Occasional physical activity such as walking, sitting, standing, bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, handling, vision tasks, pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work in hot/cold environments.