Wheels & Tires Engineer II

Wheels & Tires Engineer II

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) is seeking a passionate Design Engineer II to support the design, development, and validation of Wheel & Tire Systems for U.S. SUV, pickup truck and off-road vehicles. In this role, you will leverage your mechanical engineering skills to create robust, high-performance Wheel & Tire architecture. You will work closely with cross-functional teams (Other Chassis groups, powertrain, body, electrical, manufacturing, etc.) to ensure seamless integration, meet customer requirements, and achieve durability and reliability goals. The ideal candidate has a minimum of 3 years of hands-on Chassis – Wheel & Tire experience in an automotive OEM or Tier-1 environment, is proficient in a CAD system (CATIA V5 preferred, will accept NX or Solidworks), and demonstrates mentoring skills and the willingness to be taught. Candidates applying for positions with Hyundai-Kia must be legally authorized to work in the United States, verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Design & Development: Be engaged in the end-to-end engineering of wheel and tire systems (wheels, tires, and related components) from concept through production. Use CATIA V5 to create 3D models and 2D drawings of wheels, tire/rim interfaces, and integration of TPMS sensors. Ensure designs meet all performance targets (strength, weight, cost) and integrate seamlessly with braking and suspension systems.
• Specialty Off-Road Systems: Develop, support and implement specialized off-road tire technologies such as beadlock wheel systems (for low-pressure off-road use), mud-terrain and all-terrain tire packages, run-flat tire inserts, and central tire inflation / TPMS solutions. Work with suppliers to customize these systems for our vehicle applications, enhancing off-road capability and durability.
• Validation & Testing: Support validation plans for wheel and tire designs. This includes supporting the creation of test plans and criteria for durability, fatigue, impact, and off-road abuse testing of wheels and tires. Support vehicle-level testing for ride and handling, including ride tuning and handling dynamics evaluations on various terrains. Analyze test data and failure modes and iterate designs to meet rigorous FMVSS safety standards and SAE performance standards.
• Regulatory Compliance: Support workload to ensure all wheel and tire systems comply with relevant regulations and industry standards. This includes adherence to FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) for wheels/tires and TPMS, as well as SAE and other applicable standards for tire sizing, load ratings, and performance. Prepare documentation and reports to demonstrate compliance and support homologation for targeted markets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with vehicle dynamics, suspension, brake, and body engineering teams to integrate wheel/tire systems without issues (e.g. brake caliper clearance, suspension travel, fender clearance). Work with electrical/control teams on TPMS and any active tire pressure management. Coordinate with manufacturing and service teams to ensure the wheel and tire designs are feasible to produce, assemble, and service (including spare tire and jack/tool provisions).
• Supplier Coordination: Act as the technical liaison with OEM and Tier 1 suppliers for wheels and tires. Develop specifications and requirements for supplier-designed components (custom tire compounds, wheel castings/forgings) and manage supplier deliverables. Lead design reviews with suppliers and resolve technical issues in development or production (e.g. tire uniformity problems, wheel finish issues, etc.).
• Project Leadership: Support wheel and tire subsystem projects on new vehicle programs. Develop timing plans, track progress of design and testing milestones, and ensure on-time delivery of components for prototype builds and production. Conduct design reviews, DFMEAs, and DVP&R for wheel/tire systems. Provide regular status updates to program management and proactively address any risks or roadblocks.
• Mentorship and Technical Guidance: Provide leadership within the chassis engineering team by mentoring junior engineers and sharing expertise in wheel/tire engineering. Lead by example in following engineering best practices and documentation. Also demonstrate a willingness to continuously learn and be trained in new methods or technologies (such as new CAE analysis techniques or emerging tire materials) to keep the team at the cutting edge.

• Travel: Occasional domestic and international travel (approximately 20%) to our Korean HQ, supplier facilities, chassis component manufacturers, and CA test tracks are expected. Travel may also include collaboration with off-site engineering teams or attendance at industry events.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 3 years of professional experience in chassis and suspension design, with a focus Wheel & Tire Systems. Experience specifically with pickup trucks, SUVs, or off-road vehicles is highly preferred.
• Experience working on electric or hybrid vehicle Suspension systems. Prior experience with pick-up trucks, SUVs or off-road vehicles and knowledge of their specific Wheel & Tire Systems / durability / set up / articulation etc is a plus.
  Advanced Analysis: Proficiency in CAE tools (e.g. ANSYS, Nastran, MATLAB/Simulink) for advanced suspension modeling, dynamic simulations, or optimization is a plus.
  Vehicle Dynamics: In-depth understanding of vehicle ride & handling, off-road performance, and NVH considerations specific to heavy-duty trucks and SUVs. Knowledge of solid axle and independent suspension systems in off-road conditions.
  Additional CAD/CAE: Familiarity with CAD software (e.g. CATIA V6) and PDM (ENOVIA V6) or Windchill PLM systems.
• Certifications: Professional Engineer (PE) license or Six Sigma certification, if applicable, are advantageous.

WHAT HYUNDAI CAN OFFER YOU

• Zero-dollar employee premiums on Medical, Dental, and Vision for you and your family.

• 100% employer-paid disability and life insurance.

• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick and abundant holidays.

• A global environment that fosters diversity.

• Competitive salaries.

• Retirement savings and planning benefits.

• Flexible work hours, and hybrid work schedule options.

• Access to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts

OTHER DETAILS

Candidates applying for positions with Hyundai KIA must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

• • HATCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Veteran. VEVRAA Federal contractor.

STILL INTERESTED? WHY NOT APPLY?