What does a design release engineer do?
A design release engineer is responsible for creating and evaluating technology and mechanical designs used for commercial and industrial equipment to support business operations and customer activities. Design release engineers utilize various software applications and tools to implement design models according to business requirements and client specifications. They also identify the estimated costs and resources for the production by negotiating with trusted suppliers and vendors for materials that meet the highest quality standards. A design release engineer reviews the outputs before the launch to resolve possible issues and adjust design features as needed.
Design release engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real design release engineer resumes:
- Achieve DFSS green belt certification and continuing toward black belt certification.
- Manage automation projects including purchasing, scheduling fabrication and assembly, debugging, and delivery to customer.
- Utilize FEA models and simulations to evaluate component performance within the CAE seating and body closures groups.
- Perform DFMEA analysis and validate DVP for overhead systems, door trim, floor console and side trim.
- Update the required cad data to fulfill the CN's.
- Develop and apply knowledge-base engineering to study part templates in NX and CATIA.
- Used VAS UG NX 7.5 math data to assemble sunroof systems to assign vehicle.
- Maintain product specs and a bill of materials (BOM) for all builds.
- Implement $150K savings on assembly tools prior to PPAP (nine-speed transmission).
- Work closely with FCA NVH department to understand the requirement and efficiently communicate to supplier.
- Develop design of pedestrian impact brackets utilizing FEA and physical testing to meet ECE regulations.
- Used statistical methods (DFSS, RedX) for experimental design and root cause analysis.
- Clean and systematic BOM management of seat Asm and component part numbers of seat variants.
- Work in Unigraphics and Teamcenter to develop a new generation truck intend for several markets worldwide.
- Gather data from various FCA plants to compare vehicle drive patterns after coming off the assembly line.
Design release engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Design Release Engineers are proficient in DFMEA, Dvp R, and DVP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Design Release Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- DFMEA, 10%
Initiate preliminary test and supporting analysis (DFMEA, PFMEA, DVP, QBC) to validate the design & Process.
- Dvp R, 9%
Led testing and validation of sub-systems and cockpit for material properties, design integrity, and passing all DVP requirements.
- DVP, 7%
Coordinate with supplier on Design changes, quality improvement, material cost reduction, DVP, TCE data submission.
- FCA, 6%
Gathered data from various FCA plants to compare vehicle drive patterns after coming off the assembly line.
- Design Release, 5%
Issued EWO/TWO's to resolve production issues and plant tryouts with Tier 1 suppliers using GM E-Square design release process.
- CAD, 5%
Collaborated using team center network software to integrate CAD and CAE models of components and full vehicle models.
Most design release engineers use their skills in "dfmea," "dvp r," and "dvp" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential design release engineer responsibilities here:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a design release engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what design release engineers do because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, a design release engineer resume shows how design release engineers use creativity: "invented the mega bracket to improve power train nvh characteristics which resulted in a cost savings of $1.65 per vehicle. "
Listening skills. Many design release engineer duties rely on listening skills. "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists," so a design release engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways design release engineer responsibilities rely on listening skills: "carried master joint matrix and ensured design changes were communicated to all required parties (i.e. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for design release engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how design release engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a design release engineer: "key achievements: write/approve/release owner's manuals, component technical specifications, mechanical drawings & math, installation assemblies (i.a. ".
Mechanical skills. For certain design release engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "mechanical skills." The day-to-day duties of a design release engineer rely on this skill, as "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what design release engineers do: "apply cfd and fea thermal and dynamic stress analysis to develop robust mechanical designs. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a design release engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what design release engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to design release engineer duties can be seen in an example from a design release engineer resume snippet: "determine cause of supplier quality problems and coordinate/implement effective and timely resolutions. "
The three companies that hire the most design release engineers are:
- RGBSI15 design release engineers jobs
- General Motors9 design release engineers jobs
- G-TECH8 design release engineers jobs
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Compare different design release engineers
Design release engineer vs. Product engineer
A product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public. Moreover, they are also responsible for producing reports and presentations, coordinating with the development team of their company. Product engineers also reach out to vendors and suppliers for the raw materials, set regulations and standards for the product, and even conduct a rigorous and regular quality check.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, design release engineer responsibilities require skills like "fca," "design release," "design failure," and "effects analysis." Meanwhile a typical product engineer has skills in areas such as "project management," "c++," "data analysis," and "java." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Product engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $90,301. Comparatively, design release engineers tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $95,495.The education levels that product engineers earn slightly differ from design release engineers. In particular, product engineers are 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a design release engineer. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Design release engineer vs. Research and development engineer
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real design release engineer resumes. While design release engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "dvp," "fca," "design release," and "design failure," research and development engineers use skills like "python," "c #," "data analysis," and "patients."
Research and development engineers may earn a higher salary than design release engineers, but research and development engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,654. On the other hand, design release engineers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,495.In general, research and development engineers achieve similar levels of education than design release engineers. They're 1.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for design release engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Andrea Welker Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University
Design release engineer vs. Project engineer
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, design release engineers are more likely to have skills like "dvp," "fca," "design release," and "design failure." But a project engineer is more likely to have skills like "project management," "autocad," "construction management," and "ul."
Project engineers make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $85,761. On the other hand, design release engineers are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $95,495.project engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to design release engineers. Specifically, they're 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Design release engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Types of design release engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
