Design And Development Engineer

Job DescriptionDesign & Development Engineer / HeadIndustry: Automotive / Sheet Metal & Tubular Component Manufacturing

Location: LK AUTOMOTIVE PVT LTD , MAKARPURA GIDC Vadodara, Gujarat

Department: Design & Development

Reporting To: Management

About the RoleWe are looking for an experienced and technically strong Design & Development Engineer to lead the design, development, and industrialization of sheet metal and tubular components, complex assemblies, tooling, and fixtures.

The candidate should have strong hands-on knowledge of SolidWorks, press tool design, fixture development, sheet metal manufacturing processes, welding, tubular component development, and new product development. Experience in an IATF 16949-certified automotive manufacturing environment will be highly preferred.

• Key ResponsibilitiesLead design and development of sheet metal, tubular components, and complex assemblies from concept to production.
• Develop and modify 3D models, 2D drawings, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks.
• Design and develop tools for hydraulic and mechanical presses, including forming, bending, blanking, deep-drawing and other sheet metal operations.
• Design and develop:
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• Welding fixtures
• Checking / inspection fixtures
• Assembly fixtures
• Production and process fixtures
• Develop tooling and processes considering DFM/DFA, manufacturability, dimensional accuracy, cycle time, cost, and quality requirements.
• Have strong knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing processes including:
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• Laser cutting
• Press punching
• Blanking
• Bending
• Forming
• Deep drawing
• Press operations
• Welding and fabrication
• Possess hands-on knowledge of CNC 3-axis pipe bending machines, including machine operation, programming concepts, tooling, bend sequence, development, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and optimize tubular components and pipe bending processes.
• Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerances, material specifications, and customer requirements.
• Have sound knowledge of welding symbols, welding processes, welding sequence, weld quality requirements, and welding process management.
• Support development and optimization of welding fixtures and welding processes for dimensional accuracy and repeatability.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Purchase, and Tool Room teams during new product development and process implementation.
• Conduct tooling and fixture trials, identify issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Support prototype development, sample submission, PPAP, APQP, FMEA, Control Plan, and process documentation as applicable.
• Analyze development-related quality issues and implement effective design and process improvements.
• Ensure designs and development activities comply with IATF 16949 and applicable customer-specific requirements.
• Work closely with customers for drawing clarification, design changes, development issues, and technical approvals.
• Manage multiple development projects, timelines, tooling requirements, and engineering deliverables.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, process improvement, cycle-time reduction, and productivity enhancement.

Required Technical SkillsSoftware & Design

• Strong hands-on experience in SolidWorks.
• Excellent knowledge of 3D modelling, sheet metal modelling, assemblies, 2D drawings, detailing, and design modifications.
• Knowledge of tool design for hydraulic and mechanical presses.
• Good understanding of GD&T, tolerances, fits, and engineering drawings.

Sheet Metal & Tubular Manufacturing

• Strong knowledge of laser cutting, punching, blanking, bending, forming, deep drawing, and press operations.
• Knowledge of CNC 3-axis pipe bending machines and their operation is mandatory.
• Understanding of tubular component development and fabrication.

Welding

• Knowledge of welding symbols and engineering drawings.
• Good understanding of welding processes, welding sequence, parameters, fixtures, quality requirements, and welding management.
• Ability to develop and troubleshoot welding fixtures and welding processes.

Fixtures & Tooling

• Hydraulic and mechanical press tooling
• Welding fixtures
• Checking fixtures
• Assembly fixtures
• Production/process fixtures
• Tool and fixture troubleshooting and improvement

Microsoft Office

• Strong working knowledge of MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, presentations, development status reports, BOMs, tooling documentation, and engineering data.
• Preferred KnowledgeIATF 16949 requirements
• APQP & PPAP
• DFMEA / PFMEA
• Control Plans
• MSA and SPC fundamentals
• 8D / Root Cause Analysis
• Customer-specific requirements
• Automotive component development
• Tooling and fixture cost estimation
• Desired Candidate ProfileQualification: Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience: [5–10+ years] in sheet metal, tubular component, automotive component, or fabrication industry.
• Strong practical understanding of manufacturing processes and tooling, not just theoretical design knowledge.
• Ability to independently handle new product development from drawing review through production launch.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, communication, and team-management skills.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with customers, suppliers, production, quality, and tool-room teams.
• A hands-on approach with the ability to identify manufacturing problems on the shop floor and provide practical engineering solutions.
• Key Performance AreasTimely completion of new product development
• Tooling and fixture development
• Successful prototype and production trials
• Reduction in development and tooling-related issues
• Improvement in product quality and dimensional accuracy
• Cost and cycle-time optimization
• Effective customer coordination
• Compliance with IATF 16949 requirements
• Successful transition of new products from development to mass production