Product Development Engineer

Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains.

Serving three primary markets passenger vehicle, commercial truck, and off-highway equipment Dana provides the world's original-equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities.

Job Purpose

Provide support to several key functions related to Light Vehicle global drive systems Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, Quality, Design to Cost Target and Should Cost Product and Process development.

The position also requires the ability to work with different cultures and personnel on a global basis to create an environment conducive to on time and on cost launches and drive new process with lower cost and continuous improvement to global standard processes.

Support and coordinate with the Global Center of Excellence team driving product to a should-cost product design aiding in wins of new net business and satisfying year over year VAVE cost saving activity.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities :

Support creation of Dana Global DFMAQ standards and process to ensure governance and compliance and a path for escalation in line with Dana’s Stage Gate Process.

Requires significant knowledge of Dana and industry assembly processes and outstanding leadership skills to deploy to global locations.

• Support cost engineering-related tasks for the designated project scope.
• Collaborate with Strategic Buyers, Category Managers, NPI Teams, Product & Design teams to achieve cost targets and sourcing strategy goals through proactive efforts.
• Expertly analyze costs, manufacturing processes, and material / supplier differences using cost methodologies, tools, and software models.
• Support creation of design processes using the aPriori DFM / Should Cost tools
• Analyze costs and discover potential savings for both current and new parts / products through a cost reduction investigation.
• Work with all BU cross functional teams to achieve cost targets for NPD & existing products.
• Analyze supplier manufacturing process, infrastructure and quotes and provide arguments with data to aid communication with suppliers and customers and achieve cost optimization.
• Support supplier meetings and negotiations to challenge prices and aim for cost reductions to meet target costs.
• Work with Dana GME and supply base to build Dana capabilities into a Dana Digital Factory for key cost driver components and processes.
• Establish and create configurations of Design Requirements into aPriori logic, building Dana part manufacturing templates to be used across the organization.
• Collaborate with buyers to enhance best practices in the supplier process by drawing on past expertise.
• Support a Global Center of Excellence for DFMA, Quality and Engineering to drive process and manufacturing should cost optimization into standard design practices.
• Drive increase of new business awards through competitively quoted designs keeping should cost and design for optimization of manufacturing at the forefront.
• Create benchmark "Frankenstein" approach design opportunities for new programs and changes to existing Dana designs.
• Coordinate technical support and training of aPriori Software across all business units globally.
• Monthly report out of new business opportunity through competitive cost models along with cost savings progress, opportunities found in manufacturing and status of design standard updates.
• Identify and develop key direct / indirect personnel to meet objectives of design for manufacturing, assembly, quality, and cost.
• Provide technical support to the suppliers, manufacturing plants, assembly plants, and the sales department during sourcing, vehicle development, launch, and production.

Qualifications :

• Bachelors degree in engineering related field.
• 3 years experience in engineering, manufacturing, or related product / process.
• Project management experience and related customer program experience a plus.
• Axle and driveshaft product knowledge.
• Deep understanding of various cost models, Should Costing, Directional Costing, Benchmarking etc.
• Knowledge and understanding of a variety of manufacturing processes and components like Castings, Forgings, Sheet metal, Plastic and Electrical & Electronics and ability to evaluate and analyze associated costs.
• Good organizational, team building, problem solving, planning, decision-making & interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of engineering prints and models is required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be willing to travel as needed and work non-normal business hours.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Unsolicited Resumes from Third-Party Recruiters

Please note that as per Dana policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters were engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening.

Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Dana will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.