Job Description
Principal Engineer - Vehicle Body (BIW) Systems
Surrey
Perm or contract
Our automotive client is a world leader in the design and manufacture of concept and prototype vehicles with particular focus on environmentally friendly, small city cars displaying energy efficiency and lightweight characteristics.
Principle Accountabilities:
Principal engineers within Vehicle Body Systems and Architecture Design are responsible for design and release of Body and Interior components across all projects . This role requires specific knowledge of welded aluminium BIW design to support ongoing development of the iStream® process.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities within Vehicle Body Systems and Architecture Design:
• Provide leadership of the design and engineering of the welded aluminium based body in white structures
• Lead other members of the Vehicle Body System and Architecture Design team to prepare 2D concept sections, 3D part models, 3D assembly models and any associated 2D drawings as required
• Provide input data to CAE and support any other Vehicle Engineering activities
• Liaise with styling to support feasible design solutions with regard to manufacturing, assembly and homologation
• Coordinate with other Principal Engineers and Project Managers to ensure technical targets, program timings and budgetary requirements are met
• Liaise with the Prototype Workshop to provide feasible design solutions and support workshop activities pre, during and post-vehicle build
• Schedule design activities to meet engineering deliverables that deliver to required specifications within timescales and budgets
• Contribute to complete and effective engineering plans and schedules, including planning own activities
Experience and Qualifications:
• Proven track record for the design and engineering of aluminium automotive primary structures utilising extrusions, sheet and cast/forged materials
• Experience of specifying joining technologies including CMT or MIG welding processes
• Able to select materials and processes appropriate to engineering requirements such as strength, durability, crashworthiness, cost and manufacturing constraints
• Thorough understanding of manufacturing processes associated with aluminium including but not limited to heat treatments, coatings, assembly and process tolerances
• Casting and forging design experience and understanding of high and low production rate drivers
• It is anticipated that you will have 10 years relevant automotive experience at an appropriate consultancy or OEM
• You will be educated to a degree level in a mechanical or aeronautical discipline
CV's to simon@gahl.co.uk