Exterior Parts Design Engineer / Component Owner

Company description: AVL is one of the world’s leading mobility technology companies for development, simulation and testing in the automotive industry, and beyond. The company provides concepts, solutions and methodologies in fields like vehicle development and integration, e-mobility, automated and connected mobility (ADAS/AD), and software for a greener, safer, better world of mobility. Job description: We are looking for an experienced Exterior Parts Design Engineer with minimum 3 years of automotive experience in the development of exterior body components and plastic parts. The role combines hands-on design responsibility with technical leadership of components and subsystems throughout the complete product development lifecycle. In this role, you will act as Component Owner for assigned exterior components and subsystem areas throughout the entire product development process. You will be responsible for the design and development of exterior body parts such as bumpers, grilles, spoilers, trims, claddings, wheel arch moldings, and other related plastic components. A key part of the role involves creating and maintaining 3D CAD models and drawings in accordance with OEM standards and requirements. You will lead technical activities and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of components and subsystems. This includes driving design reviews, risk assessments, technical problem-solving, and engineering decisions, while managing interfaces between exterior systems and the surrounding vehicle architecture. You will also be responsible for planning and monitoring design activities, deliverables, timing, and maturity status for your assigned components. Working closely with suppliers, you will support development and industrialization activities, as well as engineering change management throughout the project lifecycle. In addition, you will participate in DFMEA, tolerance analysis, design verification, and validation activities to ensure robust and high-quality solutions. As a key technical contact, you will regularly communicate project progress, technical status, and potential risks to customers and other project stakeholders, contributing to successful project execution and customer satisfaction. Profile description: To thrive and succeed in this role, we believe you have: Bachelor or Master degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or equivalent. 3+ years of experience in automotive exterior component development. Strong knowledge of plastic component design and injection molding processes. Experience with automotive exterior systems and visible Class-A related components. Experience as Component Owner, Technical Lead or equivalent responsibility is highly meritorious. Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6, Creo, NX or similar CAD systems. Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis and automotive product development processes. Experience coordinating suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams. As a person We are looking for a confident and engaging leader with a strong ability to build trust and manage relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You are experienced in driving and leading technical activities forward, even without formal line management responsibility, and are motivated by achieving results through collaboration and influence. As a person, you are structured, proactive, and solution-oriented, with a natural ability to identify opportunities and address challenges effectively. You communicate fluently in English and can adapt your message to different audiences. Furthermore, you have a strong sense of ownership and accountability, with a focus on delivering high-quality results on time while keeping customer value and business needs at the forefront. We offer: At AVL, you will become part of a global engineering company at the forefront of development, simulation, and testing for the future of mobility. As the world's largest independent company in this field, with more than 12,000 employees worldwide, we drive innovation to create a greener, safer, and better mobility future. Our expertise spans the entire value chain, from early concept and development phases through to industrialization and series production. We work with cutting-edge technologies in electrification, software, autonomous driving, digitalization, and energy-efficient powertrain systems, helping our customers shape the mobility solutions of tomorrow. At AVL, you will find a workplace where you can grow, make an impact, and contribute to advancing technological innovation that truly makes a difference for the future of mobility. Interested? In this recruitment process, we apply continuous selection. This means that the recruitment process may move quickly, and the position may be filled before the application deadline. We look forward to receiving your application!