Principal Engineer

Responsibilities & Key Deliverables:

• Develop and implement comprehensive vehicle-level safety validation plans that align with both project timelines and overarching safety objectives, ensuring adherence to regulatory frameworks.
• Create and execute detailed Design Validation Plans (DVPs) across various design stages, ensuring that safety standards are applied rigorously throughout the development process.
• Conduct thorough safety benchmarking to identify industry standards, trends, and best practices aimed at enhancing vehicle safety performance and consumer confidence.
• Prepare comprehensive crash test specifications, managing the entire process from test coordination to data analysis and reporting findings, with actionable insights directed back into product design and improvement.
• Perform detailed airbag ECU calibration tasks, ensuring that vehicles meet safety performance expectations effectively, and liaise with development teams to address any issues.
• Collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams to interpret simulation results, engage in calibration activities, and verify compliance with relevant safety regulations, promoting a culture of safety across all projects.
• Ensure that subsystem teams contribute optimally to overall vehicle safety outcomes by providing guidance and sharing best practices, leading to enhanced product safety integrity.

A minimum of 12 to 16 years of extensive experience in the automotive sector is essential for this role, ideally within OEMs or Tier 1 supply chains. Innovative thinking and a proactive approach to vehicle safety are critical.

• In-depth knowledge of vehicle and system-level crash testing methodologies, demonstrating a strong ability to translate data into actionable safety improvements.
• A solid grasp of vehicle safety protocols including, but not limited to, AIS, NCAP, and ECE Safety Regulations, ensuring compliance with local and international safety standards.
• Proficient in analysing safety test data using software tools such as Diadem, PC-Crash, and MotionView, with a focus on extracting meaningful insights that drive design decisions.
• Competence in design tools like Catia V5 is a must, encompassing solid modelling, surfacing, assembly, and drafting techniques to support efficient product development.
• Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) practices and tolerance stack-up procedures is crucial for ensuring precise manufacturing specifications.
• Expertise in the airbag ECU calibration process, with an understanding of related vehicle safety performance metrics to inform ongoing vehicle assessments.
• A robust background in vehicle safety testing and restraints tuning is necessary to ensure optimal vehicle performance in real-world scenarios, promoting both safety and reliability.

• Candidates with experience at leading automotive OEMs, such as Tata Motors, Suzuki, Renault Nissan, and Ford, will be preferred for their familiarity with industry-leading safety standards and practices.
• Experience within Tier 1 suppliers, like Autoliv and TRW, is highly sought after, given their critical role in the supply chain and their commitment to safety excellence.

• A Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a closely related field is required, providing a solid foundation in engineering principles essential for this role.

• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and initiatives within the organisation.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, enabling you to proactively identify issues and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.
• A commitment to continuous learning and professional development, staying abreast of the latest automotive safety technologies and regulations.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a cross-functional team, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.