Job Description

Seats Design Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI

6-12 Month Contract To Hire

Akkodis is seeking Seats Design Engineer for a Contract job with a client in Grand Rapids, MI.

Rate: $60-$62/HR; This may be negotiable based on experience, education, geographic location, and other factors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop full structural assemblies, mechanical components and systems related to seat structure packaging within the “seat trim outline”.
• Collaborate with industrial designers, ergonomists, and other engineers to optimize the structural package for efficient use of space within the vehicle cabin.
• Conduct feasibility studies, create 3D models, and generate detailed engineering drawings using CAD software.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications.

Structural and Mechanism Design and Integration:

• Design and refinement of new seat structures, including front seat structures, and rear row structures.
• Design and integration of mechanical mechanisms for seat adjustments.
• Conduct kinematic and dynamic analyses to optimize the performance and reliability of seat mechanisms.
• Validate functionality of mechanical systems through simulations and proof of concept physical prototypes.
• Predict the system durability throughout the life cycle of the product.
• Collaborate with electrical and mechatronics engineers to ensure seamless integration of mechanical components with electronic and other control systems.
• Keep up to date with latest structural trends across the automotive seating industry, including new joining techniques, recliner and track design, new structural materials etc.
• Work closely with suppliers and tool shops to ensure structural design is manufacturable.

Comfort and Ergonomics:

• Understand the implications of structural design into new seat design and offer structural solutions for complex comfort problems.
• Develop and optimize seat structures to support cushioning systems to enhance comfort for occupants.
• Conduct research and analysis to understand human factors and ergonomics in seating design.
• Incorporate features such as adjustable lumbar support, heating & ventilation, massage and armrests to improve seating comfort.
• Collaborate with suppliers and material experts to select appropriate materials for structural development.

Core Seat Design and Integration:

• Close collaboration with studio team to deliver accurate A-surfaces
• Work closely with seat complete engineers to ensure softer components are well supported in all areas.

Validation and Testing:

• Develop specifications for components or new designs where a test specification may not already exist.
• Develop test plans to validate early prototypes for performance, durability and strength of seating systems.
• Develop test plans to validate the complete seat performance across all documented specifications, legal, industrial and internal.
• Collaborate with simulation engineers to conduct virtual testing and simulations for performance optimization.
• Analyze virtual results and implement findings into product
• Collaborate with test facilities to perform physical testing, offering expertise and knowledge to assist with set up and execution of tests.
• Analyze test data, identify issues or areas for improvement, and propose design modifications.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Create detailed engineering documentation, including specifications, design guidelines, technical reports.
• Create and track detailed DVP&R.
• Create and maintain SCCAF documentation and DFMEA and collaborate with manufacturing to transfer to PFMEA.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations to internal teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• Stay updated with industry trends, emerging technologies within the automotive industry and the potential for incorporating non-auto ideas and products.,
• Stay updated with all regulatory, industrial, insurance and internal requirements related to automotive seating.

The minimum requirements we seek:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 7+ years of experience designing, developing, and releasing seating system or components.
• 7+ years of experience using 3D CAD software collaboratively (Catia V5/V6, 3DX, etc.)
• Experience in the production release process
• Experience in a factory setting launching a new product?
• Experience working with seat structure suppliers & tool shops
• Solid understanding of welding and welding techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of steel material characteristics in terms of strength, formability and joinability.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Benefits offerings include but are not limited to :

• 401(k) with match
• Medical insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit .

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

· The California Fair Chance Act

· Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

· Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

· San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

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