Lead Design Engineer – Door Closures

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio (USA) with Engineering Centers in Pune, India and Yokohama, Japan, Goken is a global Engineering Services and Product Development company founded in 2004. We partner with OEMs and suppliers across the mobility space, as well as clients in non-mobility industries, to deliver innovative solutions and accelerate product development.

At Goken, we embrace our motto of "Time to Innovate" by pushing boundaries, cultivating entrepreneurial thinking, and empowering individuals who thrive on tackling challenges, embrace fresh ideas, and are driven to create solutions that shape the future. This mindset fuels our mission and empowers our teams to solve complex problems, deliver measurable value, and move our clients and industries forward.

Our Vision is to empower associates to drive innovation and lead meaningful change wherever it's needed, ensuring we stay ahead of the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Our Mission is to build trust that fosters greatness in our people, excellence in our clients, and positive impact in the communities we serve.

Goken offers a competitive compensation structure and benefits that support professional growth and personal well-being. We also foster a culture built on high performance, collaboration, continuous improvement, and ongoing professional development.

Summary:

The Lead Design Engineer – Door Closures will lead the design and development of side doors, lift gates, and tail gates for one of Goken's premier automotive clients, renowned for its innovation in electric vehicle engineering and product excellence. The role focuses on delivering robust, lightweight, and manufacturable closure systems that meet safety, durability, and performance standards. The engineer will work in CATIA V5/V6, collaborating closely with cross-functional and on-shore teams to ensure high-quality, production-ready designs aligned with program milestones and cost targets.

Responsibilities:

• • Lead the design and development of door and closure systems, including side doors, lift gates, and tail gates, from concept to production.
• Ensure all designs meet performance, durability, sealing, safety, and manufacturability requirements.
• Develop and validate 3D CAD models and 2D drawings in CATIA V5/V6, following OEM design standards and GD&T practices.
• Collaborate with CAE, manufacturing, and design teams to incorporate analysis feedback and improve structural integrity.
• Review and refine closure concepts for fit, finish, and functional integration with the BIW structure.
• Coordinate between Goken's client and on-shore engineering teams to manage requirements, technical reviews, and delivery schedules.
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles to optimize design quality and ease of production.
• Conduct and support tolerance stack-up analysis to ensure precision and assembly feasibility.
• Ensure closure systems comply with global automotive safety standards (FMVSS, ECE regulations) and testing protocols including slam loads, durability, and NVH.
• Support release of CAD data and technical documentation in alignment with program timelines.
• Mentor junior engineers and champion best practices in closure system design and validation.

Qualifications:

• • Bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• 8–10+ years of hands-on experience in designing automotive closure systems (doors, hoods, liftgates, tailgates, decklids).
• Strong knowledge of hinge systems, latch mechanisms, sealing systems, and structural integration with BIW.
• Proven expertise in DFM/DFA principles and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Strong understanding of automotive safety standards (FMVSS, ECE) and testing protocols for closures (slam loads, durability, NVH).
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 (Part Design, Assembly Design, Surface Design, and Drafting).
• Solid understanding of sheet metal and plastic part design and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with automotive product development cycles and CAD data release processes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and coordination skills.
• Experience with EV closure systems or projects for global OEMs is preferred.

Goken is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and engaging workplace across all global locations. We value diversity and provide equal opportunities for career growth and professional development, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.