Vehicle Engineering Director

Vehicle Engineering Director

The Director, Engineering Design leads a multi-functional engineering team supporting Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicle development programs for the North American market. This position reports to the Senior Vice President of Total Vehicle Development and is located at Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) Vehicle Engineering Design Department in Superior Charter Township, Michigan.

The role focuses on strategic leadership, technical guidance, and organizational growth across key engineering disciplines, including Structures, Exterior, Interior, Closures, Safety Integration, Materials Development, and Engineering Design Improvement. The Director is responsible for aligning regional engineering design with global vehicle programs, improving development efficiency, supporting regional production, and driving innovation for future mobility solutions.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and Manage Engineering Design Division: Oversee planning, budgeting, staffing, performance management, and professional development of a multi-disciplinary engineering team.
• Technical Direction and Design Oversight: Supervise all engineering design activities, including vehicle structures, exterior/interior systems, closures, chassis, safety integration, and materials development. Ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability, cost, quality, and performance.
• Program Delivery & Release Governance: Own the design release process, manage milestones and engineering change approvals, and ensure adherence to timing, cost, and quality targets from concept through production.
• Cross-Functional & Supplier Leadership: Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, and global teams. Lead interactions with suppliers and external partners, ensuring feasibility, cost targets, and alignment with program goals.
• Regulatory & Safety Compliance: Ensure U.S. market and global regulatory requirements are integrated into designs, including FMVSS, ECE, and other relevant standards. Lead safety integration across vehicle programs.
• Innovation and Emerging Technology Leadership: Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and adoption of advanced design methods, materials, and engineering tools.
• Strategic Vehicle Architecture & Technical Planning: Contribute to long-term vehicle architecture strategies, aligning regional design priorities with global programs and supporting future mobility initiatives.
• Executive Communication & Representation: Represent HATCI in executive meetings and reviews with internal and external stakeholders, providing technical guidance, program updates, and strategic recommendations.

What You Will Bring to the Role:

• Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field of study.
  • Minimum 15 years of experience in vehicle engineering with design and release responsibilities.
  • Minimum 7 years in leadership roles.
  • Strong understanding of vehicle systems design, integration, and release processes from concept to production.
  • Proficiency in CAD/PLM tools, GD&T, and Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA).
  • Knowledge of materials, validation testing, and regulatory/safety requirements.
  • Skilled in problem-solving, data analysis, and cross-functional project management.
  • Effective communication and collaboration across global, multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated leadership, accountability, and commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field of study.
  • CAD Certification (e.g., CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks Professional).
  • Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) Certification.
  • Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) or Six Sigma Green Belt.
  • DFMEA / APQP / PPAP Certification.
  • Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance Training.

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
• Competitive Salaries
• A Global Environment that Fosters Diversity
• Retirement Savings and Planning Benefits
• Access to Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts 
• Flexible Work Hours

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.